How do you price a painting and decorating quote in the UK?

Start with the number of labour days, multiply by your day rate, then add paint, sundries, travel, waste, parking, and a contingency for prep work. Most domestic decorating quotes work best as fixed prices rather than hourly rates.

Should decorators itemise materials in a quote?

Yes. Itemising paint, primer, filler, masking materials, and specialist coatings helps customers understand the quality of the job and reduces arguments about what is included.

How long should a decorating quote be valid for?

Most UK decorators make quotes valid for 14 to 30 days because paint, fuel, and subcontractor costs can change. The validity period should be written clearly on the quote.

Painter and Decorator Quote Template UK 2026: Itemised Example

Q: What should a painter and decorator quote include?

A painter and decorator quote should include customer details, property address, preparation work, surfaces included, number of coats, paint brand and finish, materials, labour, exclusions, timescale, payment terms, quote validity, and the total fixed price.

A good decorating quote does more than give a price. It shows the customer that you have inspected the job properly, priced the preparation, chosen the right materials, and know exactly what is included. That is why a professional painter and decorator quote template can help you win work even when you are not the cheapest option.

Use this UK template for bedrooms, full houses, rental refreshes, exterior painting, wallpapering, and insurance work. It is written for self-employed painters and decorators who want clear, itemised quotes that customers can approve quickly.

Painter and Decorator Quote Template

Your quote should be easy to scan and specific enough to prevent disputes. Include these sections every time:

Your business details - name, phone, email, address, logo, and VAT number if registered.
Customer and property details - customer name, job address, quote number, and quote date.
Scope of work - rooms, surfaces, preparation, number of coats, and finish.
Materials - paint brand, product line, primer, filler, caulk, masking materials, and sundries.
Labour - estimated days, team size, access assumptions, and specialist work.
Exclusions - wallpaper stripping, plaster repairs, damp treatment, furniture moving, or scaffold if not included.
Total price - subtotal, VAT if applicable, and total fixed price.
Payment terms - deposit, staged payments, balance due date, and accepted payment methods.
Quote validity - normally 14 to 30 days.

Quick win: If a customer is comparing three decorators, the quote that names the paint, prep work, timescale, and exclusions usually feels safer than a one-line price. That trust is where better margins come from.

Copy-and-Paste Quote Wording

Here is a clean wording structure you can adapt for your next decorating quote:

Section	Example wording
Scope	Prepare and decorate main bedroom, including ceiling, walls, skirting boards, door, frame, and window board.
Preparation	Fill minor cracks and dents, sand surfaces, spot-prime repairs, caulk gaps to skirting and frames, and protect flooring.
Paint specification	Apply two coats trade matt emulsion to walls, two coats white matt to ceiling, and two coats satinwood to woodwork.
Exclusions	Quote excludes wallpaper removal, damp treatment, plaster repairs, and moving heavy furniture unless agreed in writing.
Terms	Quote valid for 30 days. A 25% deposit secures the start date, with balance due on completion.

Itemised Single Room Quote Example

This example is for a standard double bedroom in good condition. Adjust the labour and materials depending on room size, surface condition, parking, access, and finish quality.

Item	Details	Cost
Preparation	Protect flooring, fill minor cracks, sand, spot prime, caulk gaps	£85
Ceiling	Two coats brilliant white trade matt	£110
Walls	Two coats trade durable matt emulsion	£240
Woodwork	Door, frame, skirting, and window board finished in satinwood	£145
Materials	Paint, filler, caulk, masking tape, sandpaper, rollers, sundries	£95
Total fixed price	Estimated duration: 2 to 2.5 days	£675

For more room-by-room pricing examples, see our full painting and decorating quote example.

How to Price the Quote Without Undercharging

Do not price decorating work by guessing what the customer wants to hear. Build the quote from the job up:

Labour days: Estimate prep, cutting in, rolling, drying time, woodwork, and clean-up separately.
Your day rate: Use a realistic rate from your region. Our painter and decorator day rate guide explains typical UK ranges.
Materials: Include paint, primer, caulk, filler, rollers, brushes, trays, tape, dust sheets, and waste.
Business costs: Add travel, parking, fuel, insurance, admin time, quote follow-up, and payment fees.
Profit margin: Add margin after your costs, not before. Cheap quotes are often missing profit.

Common Quote Mistakes That Lose Decorating Jobs

Only sending a total price: Customers cannot see the value behind the number.
Not naming the paint: A quote using premium trade paint should not look the same as a budget paint quote.
Leaving prep vague: Prep is where decorators protect their reputation and margin.
No exclusions: If wallpaper removal or plaster repair is not included, say so clearly.
Taking too long to send it: If another decorator sends a polished quote first, they often frame the buying decision.

If slow or messy quoting is costing you work, read why tradespeople lose jobs over bad quotes.

Best Format for Sending the Quote

A text message is fine for confirming a visit, but it is weak for agreeing a fixed price. Send a branded PDF or professional quote page with a clear accept button. For most painters and decorators, the winning process is:

Inspect the room and take notes/photos.
Build the quote while the job is still fresh.
Send the PDF by WhatsApp and email.
Follow up the next day if the customer has not replied.
Convert the accepted quote into an invoice when the work is complete.

That is exactly where a quoting app for tradesmen helps: less admin, faster responses, and a more professional first impression.

Painter and Decorator Quote FAQs

What should a painter and decorator quote include?

Include customer details, property address, quote number, scope of work, preparation, surfaces included, number of coats, paint brand, labour, materials, exclusions, timescale, payment terms, validity period, and total fixed price.

How much should I charge to paint a room in the UK?

A standard room often lands between £400 and £800 depending on size, surface condition, ceiling height, woodwork, materials, and location. Premium finishes, wallpaper removal, or damaged walls increase the price.

Should I include paint in the decorating quote?

Yes, if you are supplying it. State the brand and finish so customers understand the quality. If the customer supplies paint, explain that delays or extra coats caused by poor paint quality may be charged separately.

Is a decorating quote legally binding?

In the UK, a quote is normally a fixed price for the agreed scope. If the customer changes the scope or hidden problems appear, agree the extra work in writing before continuing.

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