How to Quote for Painting and Decorating Jobs: A Complete Guide

Pricing painting and decorating work can feel like guesswork — especially when you’re starting out. Charge too much and you lose the job. Charge too little and you’re working for nothing after materials and travel.

This guide breaks down exactly how to quote for painting and decorating jobs in 2026, with real-world pricing, room-by-room estimates, and tips to make your quotes stand out.

What to Consider Before You Quote

Every painting job is different, but there are key factors that affect your price. Before you give a number, assess these:

• Room size — Measure the walls, ceiling, and any woodwork. Price per square metre is the most accurate method.
• Surface condition — Fresh plaster needs mist coating. Flaking paint needs scraping and sanding. Damp patches need treatment first. More prep = more time = higher price.
• Number of coats — Going from a dark colour to a light one? You’ll need 3+ coats. Standard repaints usually need 2.
• Height and access — Stairwells, high ceilings, and vaulted rooms take longer and may need scaffolding or tower hire.
• Paint quality — Are you supplying the paint? Trade emulsion vs premium brands makes a big difference in material costs.
• Woodwork and detail — Skirting boards, door frames, window frames, coving — these add time and should be priced separately.

Typical Day Rates for Painters and Decorators (2026)

Day rates vary depending on your location, experience, and whether you’re working alone or with a team.

Experience Level	Day Rate	Hourly Equivalent
Apprentice / Helper	£80 – £120	£10 – £15
Qualified Painter	£150 – £200	£19 – £25
Experienced / Specialist	£200 – £300	£25 – £38
London / South East	£250 – £350	£31 – £44

Room-by-Room Pricing Guide

Here are typical prices for standard painting and decorating jobs in 2026. These include labour and paint (trade quality), assuming walls are in reasonable condition:

Job	Price Range	Time Estimate
Small bedroom (walls & ceiling)	£200 – £350	1 – 1.5 days
Double bedroom (walls & ceiling)	£300 – £500	1.5 – 2 days
Living room (medium)	£350 – £600	1.5 – 2.5 days
Kitchen (walls only)	£250 – £400	1 – 1.5 days
Hallway, stairs & landing	£400 – £800	2 – 4 days
Full house exterior	£1,500 – £3,500	4 – 8 days
Single door (both sides + frame)	£60 – £100	2 – 3 hours
Skirting boards (per room)	£50 – £100	2 – 3 hours

How to Calculate Your Quote

Here’s a simple formula that works for most painting and decorating jobs:

1. Estimate time — How many days will the job realistically take? Include prep, coats, drying time, and clean-up.
2. Multiply by your day rate — This gives you the labour cost.
3. Add materials — Paint, filler, sandpaper, masking tape, dust sheets. Add 10–15% markup on materials.
4. Add travel — If the job is more than 30 minutes away, factor in fuel and travel time.
5. Add a contingency — 5–10% extra for unexpected issues (hidden damage, extra coats needed).

Example Quote: Medium Living Room

• Labour: 2 days × £200/day = £400
• Paint (2 x 5L matt emulsion + 1L trim): £75
• Sundries (filler, tape, sheets): £15
• Travel: £10
• Total: £500

What to Include in Your Quote

A professional painting and decorating quote should include:

• Your business details — Name, address, phone, email, insurance details
• Customer details — Name, property address
• Scope of work — Exactly which rooms, walls, ceilings, and woodwork are included
• Preparation included — Filling, sanding, sugar soap wash, dust sheets
• Paint specification — Brand, finish (matt, silk, eggshell), number of coats
• What’s NOT included — Wallpaper stripping, plastering, moving heavy furniture
• Timeline — Expected start date and duration
• Price — Clear total with optional breakdown
• Validity — How long the quote is valid for (usually 30 days)

5 Tips to Win More Painting Jobs

1. Quote Fast

The first professional quote in the inbox usually wins. Don’t wait 3 days — send it the same evening after your site visit. Tools like TradeQuoteAI let you generate a professional quote from your phone in under 2 minutes.

2. Show Before/After Photos

Include 2–3 before/after photos from similar jobs in your quote or follow-up email. Visual proof builds trust faster than any words can.

3. Offer Options

Give customers 2–3 options: a basic option (walls only), a standard option (walls + ceiling + woodwork), and a premium option (including wallpaper feature wall or specialist finishes). Most people pick the middle option, and you’ve increased your average job value.

4. Be Specific About Prep

Customers don’t understand why prep takes time. Explain it in your quote: “All surfaces will be sanded, filled where needed, and wiped down before painting to ensure a smooth, lasting finish.” This justifies your price and shows professionalism.

5. Follow Up

If you haven’t heard back in 3 days, send a polite message: “Hi, just checking if you had any questions about the quote I sent? Happy to discuss if anything needs adjusting.” Many tradesmen never follow up — this alone wins jobs.

Common Quoting Mistakes to Avoid

• Quoting without visiting — Photos don’t show surface condition. Always visit before giving a firm price.
• Forgetting prep time — Prep can take 30–50% of the total job time. If you don’t price it, you’re working for free.
• Underpricing to win work — Winning a job at the wrong price is worse than losing it. You’ll resent the work and the customer will sense it.
• No written quote — Verbal quotes lead to disputes. Always put it in writing — even for small jobs.
• Vague descriptions — “Paint living room — £400” tells the customer nothing. Break it down so they understand what they’re paying for.

The Bottom Line

Quoting for painting and decorating jobs doesn’t need to be complicated. Measure properly, price for your time and materials, include a clear breakdown, and send it fast. The tradespeople who present themselves professionally win more work — it’s that simple.