The short answer
Painting and decorating in the UK is usually priced either by the day or by the room. A decorator's day rate typically runs £200–£420 a day, averaging around £340, and most repaint jobs are quoted per room at roughly £300–£600 depending on size and condition. As a rough per-square-metre guide, interior painting often works out around £15–£40 per m² including labour and standard paint. The biggest movers are how much preparation the surfaces need, the paint grade you choose, and where you live — London and the South East typically add 25–40% over the rest of the UK.
Decorating is priced on time and materials, so the figure depends on how much surface there is, how much prep it needs and the paint you pick. The figures below are typical ranges for guidance, not quotations.
Typical UK costs
- Decorator day rate£200–£420 / day
- Average day rate~£340 / day
- Repaint a room~£300–£600
- Interior per m²~£15–£40 / m²
- London uplift+25–40%
What drives the price
- Surface preparation: filling, sanding, stripping old paper and stain-blocking can take as long as the painting — heavily prepped jobs cost more.
- Paint grade: trade emulsion sits at the lower end; premium and designer paints add materially to the bill.
- Area and coats: you pay largely for the square metres covered and how many coats the colour needs.
- Region: London and the South East run higher; the rest of the UK is typically lower.
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decorator day rate | £200–£420 / day | plus paint; London higher |
| Repaint a room | ~£300–£600 | size & condition dependent |
| Interior painting | ~£15–£40 / m² | labour & standard paint |
| Paint a house exterior | £2,000–£5,000+ | access & prep dependent |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sourced from Checkatrade and MyBuilder cost guides.
Day rate or per room — which to ask for
For a single, straightforward room, a per-room or fixed price is easy to compare and protects you if the job runs long. For several rooms, a whole house, or anything with heavy preparation, a day rate can be fairer because the decorator is not pricing in a buffer for the unknown. Either way, ask what is included: number of coats, paint grade, filling and prep, and whether they supply the paint. Same-day or next-day visits are common for quotes, so you can usually get a few prices quickly.
Want a clear decorating quote?
Get matched with a vetted painter and decorator who looks at the rooms, sets out the prep and number of coats, and quotes on a clear specification you can compare.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a painter and decorator cost in the UK?
Day rates typically run £200–£420 a day, averaging around £340, plus paint. Per-room repaints are commonly £300–£600 depending on size and condition. Interior painting works out at roughly £15–£40 per m² including labour and standard paint.
Is it cheaper to pay per room or per day?
For one simple room a fixed per-room price is easy to compare and caps your cost. For several rooms or heavy preparation, a day rate can be fairer because the decorator does not need to pad the price for the unknown. Ask what each quote includes.
Why is the price range so wide?
Because jobs differ. Surface condition and prep, the paint grade, the area covered and your region all move the figure. London and the South East typically add 25–40%. A measured quote gives the accurate number for your home.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific job. They are guidance, not a quotation.