Typical day rates
Rates vary by region, experience and whether the decorator works alone or in a team. These are typical labour-only day rates for an experienced, insured decorator in 2026.
| Region | Typical day rate |
|---|---|
| London | £250 – £350 |
| South East and East | £220 – £300 |
| South West | £200 – £270 |
| Midlands | £180 – £250 |
| North of England | £170 – £240 |
| Wales | £170 – £230 |
| Scotland | £180 – £250 |
| Northern Ireland | £160 – £220 |
Indicative painter and decorator day rates (2026, labour only)
Day rate vs fixed price
Many decorators quote a fixed price for a defined job – painting a room, a hallway or the outside of a house. The fixed price is based on how many days they estimate, plus materials and a margin. Others work on a day rate, which is common for open-ended jobs, small repairs or when the amount of preparation is hard to predict.
A fixed price gives you certainty; a day rate can work out cheaper if the job goes smoothly, but more expensive if it doesn't. For most domestic decorating, a fixed price with a clear scope is the safest option for the homeowner.
What gets done in a day
As a rough guide, an experienced decorator in a day can typically:
- Paint walls and ceiling of a small bedroom (two coats)
- Prepare and paint woodwork in a medium room
- Hang lining paper in a medium room
- Paint around four to six internal doors on one side
- Paint the front elevation of a terraced house on a good day with access in place
Rather leave it to a professional?
What a day rate includes
A day rate usually covers labour for one person for a working day of around eight hours, including tidying up. It normally excludes paint and materials, which are either charged at cost plus a margin or bought by you. It may or may not include sundries such as filler, caulk, sandpaper, tape and dust sheets – ask.
Teams of two charge two day rates, but often get more than twice the work done because one person can prepare while the other paints.
Why rates differ
- Experience and reputation – busy decorators charge more
- Specialist skills – wallpaper hanging, spraying, heritage work
- Insurance, training and trade association membership
- Travel and parking, especially in cities
- The type of work – exterior work and high ceilings often cost more
- Short-notice or out-of-hours work
Comparing quotes fairly
Don't just compare day rates. A decorator charging £280 a day who finishes a room in two days costs less than one charging £200 a day who takes three. Ask each decorator how long the job will take, what preparation is included, which paint they'll use and how many coats. See questions to ask a painter and how to choose a painter and decorator.
For job-based prices, see the cost to paint a room and interior vs exterior painting costs. When you're ready, get quotes from local painters and decorators.
