How to Quote a Painting Job UK

Painting and decorating looks simple from the outside, but anyone who has actually done it for a living knows the quoting side can trip you up faster than the actual work. Underquote and you are crawling through a job that barely covers your paint costs. Overquote and the customer goes with someone cheaper. Getting the balance right takes experience, but having a proper system for pricing makes the whole process much more predictable.

This guide covers how to quote painting and decorating jobs across the UK in 2026, with real numbers, room-by-room breakdowns, and practical advice on the common pitfalls that eat into your profit.

Step 1: Survey the Property

The site visit is where the quote starts. You need to physically see the rooms to understand the prep work involved, which is usually what makes or breaks your margin on a painting job.

Surface condition

Look at every surface you will be painting. New plaster is straightforward (mist coat and two coats of emulsion). Previously painted walls in good condition just need a light sand and two coats. But walls with peeling paint, water stains, cracks, filler patches, or textured coatings all need extra prep time that you need to account for in your quote.

Woodwork condition

Check all skirting boards, architraves, door frames, window frames, and doors. Are they previously gloss-painted and in good condition (just need a rub down and re-coat)? Or is the existing paint flaking, the wood damaged, or the putty crumbling on the windows? Woodwork prep is one of the most time-consuming parts of decorating and is where many painters underquote.

Room dimensions and features

Measure room dimensions or at least get a good sense of the size. Count windows, doors, built-in wardrobes, and any features like coving, picture rails, or dado rails that add complexity. A room with plain walls and flat ceilings is significantly faster than one with ornate coving, a picture rail, and a dado rail with different colours above and below.

Height and access

Standard 2.4m ceilings can be reached with a step ladder. Anything higher needs scaffold boards or a platform, which adds time and potentially hire costs. Stairwells are notoriously time-consuming because of the access requirements.

Step 2: Calculate Your Areas

For painting, you need to know the wall area, ceiling area, and linear metres of woodwork.

Walls: Perimeter multiplied by ceiling height, minus windows and doors. A 4m x 3m room with 2.4m ceilings = 33.6m2 of wall area minus openings = roughly 30m2 of paintable wall.

Ceiling: Length times width. The same room = 12m2.

Woodwork: Measure the linear metres of skirting, architrave, and any picture or dado rails. Count the doors and windows. A standard room might have 14m of skirting, 6m of architrave, one door, and one window.

Our paint calculator can help you work out how much paint you need once you have your measurements.

Step 3: Determine the Scope of Work

Be very specific about what is included in your quote. Painting quotes often lead to disputes because the customer expected something different from what the painter quoted for. Specify:

• Which rooms are included
• Walls, ceilings, or both
• How many coats (two coats is standard, but three may be needed for colour changes)
• Woodwork: skirting, architraves, doors, window frames, radiators
• Prep work: what level of preparation is included
• Who supplies the paint (you or the customer)
• Furniture moving (is the room being cleared by the customer or by you?)

Step 4: UK Painting Prices in 2026

Per room pricing (walls and ceiling, standard prep, two coats)

Small room (box room, ensuite): 150 to 280 pounds
Medium room (standard bedroom): 200 to 400 pounds
Large room (living room, master bedroom): 300 to 500 pounds
Kitchen (walls only, working around units): 250 to 450 pounds
Hallway, stairs, and landing: 400 to 800 pounds (difficult access, lots of cutting in)

Woodwork pricing

Skirting boards: 3 to 5 pounds per linear metre
Door (both sides, frame, and architrave): 60 to 120 pounds
Window frame (standard casement): 40 to 80 pounds
Architrave (per door set, both sides): 15 to 25 pounds
Dado rail or picture rail: 3 to 5 pounds per linear metre

Exterior painting

Front of house (render, two coats masonry paint): 400 to 1,200 pounds depending on size
Fascias, soffits, and bargeboards: 300 to 800 pounds
Front door: 80 to 150 pounds
Full exterior (all elevations): 1,500 to 4,000 pounds depending on size and access

Step 5: Material Costs

Paint quality matters for both the finish and the coverage. Trade paints like Dulux Trade, Crown Trade, or Johnstone's Trade are the standard. Here are typical material costs in 2026.

Emulsion (walls and ceilings): Trade matt or silk, 2.5L tin covers 30 to 35m2 per coat. Cost: 18 to 30 pounds per tin.
Undercoat: Oil-based or water-based, 2.5L covers 30m2 per coat. Cost: 20 to 28 pounds per tin.
Gloss or satinwood (woodwork): 2.5L covers 30m2. Cost: 22 to 35 pounds per tin.
Masonry paint (exterior): 5L covers 30 to 40m2 per coat. Cost: 25 to 45 pounds per tin.
Primer (bare wood or new plaster): 2.5L, 15 to 22 pounds.

For a standard bedroom (walls, ceiling, and all woodwork), material costs are typically 50 to 80 pounds depending on the paint quality.

Step 6: Real Quote Examples

Example 1: Three-bedroom house interior (walls, ceilings, all woodwork)

Master bedroom: Walls and ceiling (2 coats), all woodwork - 380.00
Bedroom 2: Walls and ceiling, all woodwork - 320.00
Bedroom 3 (box room): Walls and ceiling, all woodwork - 220.00
Living room: Walls and ceiling, all woodwork - 450.00
Hallway, stairs, landing: Walls, ceiling, all woodwork - 650.00
Kitchen: Walls and ceiling only - 280.00
Bathroom: Walls and ceiling only - 200.00

Labour subtotal: 2,500.00
Materials (all paint, fillers, sandpaper, caulk, dust sheets): 420.00
Total quote: 2,920.00 (excl. VAT)

At roughly 8 to 10 working days, that gives a day rate equivalent of around 250 to 312 pounds per day, which is solid for a self-employed decorator.

Example 2: Single room refresh (living room)

Room: 5m x 4m, 2.4m ceilings. Walls and ceiling already painted, in reasonable condition. Two coats emulsion to walls and ceiling, gloss to all woodwork.

Prep (fill cracks, sand, caulk gaps): included
Walls (2 coats matt emulsion): 280.00
Ceiling (2 coats matt emulsion): 120.00
Skirting (18m): 72.00
Door (1 no., both sides, frame, architrave): 90.00
Window frames (2 no.): 120.00
Materials: 85.00
Total: 767.00 (excl. VAT)

That is approximately 2 to 2.5 days of work, giving a day rate of around 270 to 340 pounds.

Step 7: The Prep Work Question

Prep work is where most painting quotes go wrong. The actual painting is relatively predictable in terms of time. It is the preparation that varies wildly from job to job.

Light prep (good condition surfaces): Quick sand, dust down, fill any minor cracks, caulk gaps between woodwork and walls. Adds perhaps 10 to 15 percent to your painting time.

Medium prep (average condition): More extensive filling, sanding back of flaking areas, cleaning of greasy kitchen surfaces, possibly a coat of stain block on water marks. Adds 25 to 40 percent to painting time.

Heavy prep (poor condition): Wallpaper stripping, extensive filling and sanding, treating damp spots, sanding down multiple layers of flaking paint on woodwork, replacing crumbling putty. Can double your time on the job.

The key is to assess the prep level during your site visit and price accordingly. Never assume light prep unless you have seen the surfaces in person.

Step 8: Paint Supply - You or the Customer?

There are two approaches, and both are valid.

You supply paint: You buy trade paint at trade prices, mark it up by 15 to 25 percent, and include it in your quote. The customer gets a fixed total price and does not have to worry about buying the right product. You control the quality and know exactly what you are working with. This is the more professional approach and most experienced decorators prefer it.

Customer supplies paint: You quote labour only and the customer buys the paint. This keeps your quote lower and can win price-sensitive customers. The downside is that customers often buy the wrong product, the wrong finish, or cheap paint that does not cover properly, which ends up costing you time.

Whichever approach you take, make it clear in your quote. Use our markup calculator to work out the right markup on materials if you are supplying paint.

Step 9: Presenting Your Quote

A professional-looking quote wins more work than a text message with a number. Your quote should clearly state:

• Exactly which rooms and surfaces are included
• The number of coats
• What prep work is included
• Whether materials are included or labour only
• The total price, clearly showing VAT status
• When you can start and how long it will take
• Payment terms

QuoteSmith generates professional PDF quotes for painters and decorators in about two minutes. It is worth using if you want to make a good first impression without spending an hour in front of a computer.

For more on what makes a quote professional, read our guide on how to write a professional quote template.

Common Mistakes When Quoting Painting Jobs

• Not accounting for colour changes. Going from dark to light walls may need three or four coats instead of two. Always ask what colour the customer wants and what is already on the walls.
• Forgetting ceilings. If you quote for "painting the bedroom" and the customer expects the ceiling to be done too, you have a problem. Be specific.
• Underestimating woodwork. Skirting, architraves, doors, and window frames all take longer than you think, especially if the existing paint needs sanding back.
• Not allowing for drying time. You cannot do two coats of emulsion on the same day if you arrive at 8am and want to leave by 4pm. The first coat needs 2 to 4 hours to dry. Plan your day around this.
• Quoting over the phone. Never give a firm price without seeing the job. You can give a rough range, but always qualify it with "subject to a site visit".

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do painters charge per room in the UK in 2026?

In 2026, UK painters typically charge between 200 and 400 pounds per room for walls and ceiling (mist coat and two coats of emulsion). This varies by room size, condition of surfaces, and region. London painters charge 300 to 500 per room. These prices assume standard-height ceilings and reasonably good surfaces needing minimal prep.

What is the day rate for a painter and decorator in the UK?

A self-employed painter and decorator in the UK typically charges between 180 and 300 pounds per day in 2026. London and South East rates are higher at 250 to 350 per day. These are labour-only rates and do not include materials. Most painters can complete one to two standard rooms per day depending on the prep work required.

Should I charge for painting by the room or by the day?

Per-room pricing is generally better because customers know exactly what they will pay, and you are rewarded for working efficiently. Day rates work better for complex or unpredictable jobs like extensive prep work, wallpaper stripping, or exterior work where weather can affect progress.

How much paint do I need per room?

A standard 4m x 3m room with 2.4m ceilings has roughly 34m2 of wall area and 12m2 of ceiling. A 2.5-litre tin of emulsion covers approximately 30 to 35m2 per coat. For walls (two coats), you need approximately 2 tins. For the ceiling (two coats), approximately 1 tin. Budget around 40 to 60 pounds for trade-quality paint for a standard room.