How to Price Painting and Decorating Jobs

Pricing painting and decorating work is tricky because every room is different. Here is a practical guide to help you quote consistently and profitably.

Day rate vs per room

Most painters in the North East charge between £150 and £250 per day. But quoting a day rate can lead to disagreements about how long a job should take. Quoting per room gives the customer a fixed price and gives you an incentive to work efficiently.

Typical per-room prices in the North East (2026)

These are labour-only prices for a standard-sized room with reasonable preparation:

• Single room (walls and ceiling, emulsion): £200 to £350
• Single room including woodwork (gloss doors, skirting, window): £300 to £500
• Hallway, stairs, and landing: £400 to £800
• Full exterior (3-bed semi): £800 to £1,500
• Kitchen cabinets (spray finish): £500 to £1,000

What affects the price

Preparation is the biggest variable. A freshly plastered room that just needs mist coating and two topcoats is quick. A room with wallpaper to strip, holes to fill, cracks to repair, and old gloss to rub down takes much longer. Always check the preparation required during your site visit.

Height and access

Stairwells, high ceilings, and exterior work that needs scaffolding or tower access all add to the price. Factor in equipment hire if needed.

Materials

Offer to supply paint and charge a small markup (10-15%), or let the customer buy their own. Either way, specify the number of coats included in your quote. Using premium paint (Dulux Trade, Farrow and Ball) takes longer to apply properly and should be priced accordingly.

Write a clear quote

List each room, what you will do (strip paper, prep, mist coat, two topcoats of emulsion, gloss woodwork), and the price for each room. This lets the customer pick and choose if they are on a budget, and avoids confusion about what is included.

Protect yourself

State in your quote that your price is based on a site visit and that additional work discovered during preparation (damp, blown plaster, previous bodge jobs) may incur extra charges with the customer's agreement.