How to estimate painting and decorating jobs in the UK

Why getting your estimate right matters

Underquoting a painting job is one of the quickest ways to lose money in the decorating trade. Get it right and you earn a fair wage for your skill. Get it wrong and you are working for below minimum wage while the customer wonders why you look miserable.

The challenge is that no two jobs are the same. A 4-bedroom house with low ceilings, good existing prep, and no wallpaper to strip is a very different proposition from a 3-bedroom house with woodchip on every surface, damp patches to treat, and a client who wants a feature wall in each room.

Step 1: Measure the job properly

Before you can estimate materials or time, you need accurate measurements. The standard approach for rooms is to calculate the total wall area (perimeter x height), then deduct windows and doors (approximately 1.75 m2 per door, 1.5 m2 per standard window). Add ceiling area if included. Keep a notebook or use a free app like Canvas or PlanSwift Lite to record measurements on site.

For woodwork, measure the linear metres of skirting, architrave, door frames, window boards, and bannisters. Each type has a different prep time and paint coverage rate. Skirting typically takes 8 to 12 linear metres per hour to cut in and apply two coats.

Step 2: Calculate materials

Standard coverage rates for trade paint in 2026:

• Emulsion (mid-sheen or matt): 10 to 14 m2 per litre per coat
• Satinwood or eggshell (woodwork): 10 to 12 m2 per litre per coat
• Primer/undercoat: 10 m2 per litre
• Contract matt (ceiling): 14 to 17 m2 per litre

Divide your surface area by the coverage rate and multiply by the number of coats to get litres needed. Add 10% for wastage and touching up. Trade paint brands — Dulux Trade, Johnstone's, Zinsser — cost more than retail but give better coverage and durability. Budget £15 to £30 per 5-litre tin depending on product type.

Step 3: Calculate labour time

Experienced decorators use time-based estimating. Rough benchmarks per m2 of wall (two-coat, good existing surface):

• Cutting in and rolling walls: 45 to 60 minutes per 10 m2
• Ceiling (two coats, rolling): 30 to 40 minutes per 10 m2
• Woodwork (satin, two coats): 8 to 12 linear metres per hour
• Stripping wallpaper: 45 to 90 minutes per 10 m2 depending on type and adhesion
• Filling and sanding: 30 to 60 minutes per room depending on condition

Calculate total hours, then multiply by your daily rate divided by 8 to get hourly rate. A typical experienced decorator charges £25 to £40 per hour or £180 to £280 per day in the UK in 2026.

Step 4: Add your markup

Materials should be marked up 15 to 25% over your trade cost. This covers the time spent buying, storing, and transporting paint and sundries — it is part of the service. Do not forget smaller items: dust sheets, masking tape, filler, sandpaper, brushes and roller covers, sugar soap. These add up to £30 to £80 per room on a full repaint.

Once you have your total, add a contingency of 5 to 10% for unforeseen prep issues. Better to return a small amount to the customer than to ask for more money mid-job.

Step 5: Present the quote professionally

A written quote prevents disputes. It should include a clear description of work, number of coats, paint types and colours if agreed, a breakdown of rooms and work types, materials and labour split (or combined if you prefer), payment terms, and what happens if additional prep is found (e.g., damp treatment). Use the free quote generator to produce a professional PDF quote from your phone. Customers take you more seriously with a proper document than a WhatsApp message with a number on it.

Common estimating mistakes to avoid

The most common mistakes decorators make when estimating: forgetting to account for prep time on poor surfaces; underestimating the number of coats needed on dark or bare surfaces; not charging for travelling time on larger jobs; forgetting PPE and consumable costs; and not accounting for drying times that affect how many rooms can be worked in a day. Price every job as if it will take slightly longer than you think it will. On the jobs where everything goes smoothly, you make a little extra. On the jobs where it does not, you break even rather than losing money.