Homeowner guide
Painter and Decorator Day Rate or Price Per Room?
Decorators price either by the day or by the job. Either way the real cost is time, and most of that time goes on preparation rather than the final coats. Knowing what fills a decorator's day helps you compare quotes fairly and decide which pricing suits your project.
Day rate: when it makes sense
A day rate suits work where the scope is hard to pin down: a list of touch-ups across a house, repairs between tenancies or a room where you are not sure what is under the old paper. You pay for the time used, and the decorator can adapt as they go.
The risk is that you carry the uncertainty. Agree roughly how many days are expected and how you will be told if that changes.
Fixed price per room or per job
A fixed price suits defined work, such as repainting a lounge or a whole flat. It should state which surfaces are included (walls, ceilings, woodwork, doors, radiators), how many coats and what colours. Changing colours halfway or adding a feature wall will usually change the price.
Why preparation is most of the job
The finish is only as good as the surface. Typical preparation includes the following.
- Moving and covering furniture and protecting floors
- Stripping wallpaper or flaking paint
- Filling cracks and holes and sanding them flush
- Sanding and priming woodwork and bare plaster
- Caulking gaps along skirting and architraves
- Masking sockets, switches and fittings
What makes a room take longer
Dark colours being covered with light ones need extra coats. High ceilings and stairwells need access equipment. Lots of woodwork, panelled doors and spindles are slow. Fresh plaster needs a mist coat first. Occupied rooms take longer than empty ones because furniture has to be shuffled and covered.
Rental property and end of tenancy repaints
For landlords and agents, speed and durability usually matter more than designer colours. A neutral, washable finish that can be touched up easily between tenants saves money over time. Grouping decorating with small repairs in a single visit keeps a void short. Our void turnaround guide covers this in more detail.
Communal areas
Stairwells and hallways in blocks need hard-wearing finishes, work done in sections so residents can still get in and out, and clear notices. They are usually priced as a fixed job with a written specification. See our communal area decoration guide for what to include.
Questions to ask before you book
Which surfaces are included? How many coats? Is paint supplied, and which grade? Is preparation and making good included? How will furniture be protected? We answer all of these in a free written quote, and our decorating work carries a 1-year workmanship warranty.
Paint grades and why they matter
Trade paints usually cover better and last longer than cheaper retail ranges, which can mean fewer coats and fewer touch-ups later. In kitchens and bathrooms a moisture resistant finish helps, and on woodwork a hard-wearing satin or gloss stands up to knocks. In rentals, sticking to one standard colour across properties makes future touch-ups quick, because the same tin matches every wall. Ask your decorator which products they plan to use and why.
Exterior work and the weather
Outside painting depends on dry weather and sensible temperatures, so exterior jobs are best planned for the warmer months and given some flexibility on dates. Preparation outdoors includes washing down, scraping loose paint, filling and priming bare timber and masonry. Access for upper floors may need ladders or a tower. A good exterior quote states which elevations, windows, doors and fascias are included and what happens if rain stops work for a day.
Frequently asked questions
Is a day rate or fixed price better?
A fixed price is better for clearly defined rooms. A day rate suits mixed lists of small jobs where the scope is uncertain.
Does the price include paint?
It depends on the decorator. Always check whether paint is supplied and what grade is being used.
Why does a small room still take a full day?
Preparation, drying time between coats and cutting in take the same time whatever the wall area, so small rooms are rarely quick.
Can you decorate between tenancies quickly?
Yes. We plan repaints alongside other void works so the property is ready to let as soon as possible.
Do you decorate communal areas?
Yes. We work in sections to keep routes open for residents and use hard-wearing finishes suited to busy areas.
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