Self-Employed Painter and Decorator Hourly Rate – UK Prices 2026

The self-employed painter and decorator hourly rate in the UK is typically around £30–£40 per hour, although experienced decorators, specialist work and projects in higher-cost locations can command higher rates. Current 2026 Checkatrade data puts the general painter and decorator hourly rate at around £32, while its guidance for self-employed painters and decorators gives an average of approximately £37 per hour.

Many self-employed decorators do not actually price larger jobs by the hour. Day rates and fixed project quotations are common because preparation, drying times, materials and the complexity of the surfaces can make hourly pricing difficult to predict.

Through FraserBond.com, homeowners, landlords, investors and property managers can explore painting, decorating, refurbishment and property-maintenance services across London and the UK.

Average Self-Employed Painter and Decorator Hourly Rate

For 2026, a useful UK pricing guide is:

Checkatrade's June 2026 cost guide reports an average painter and decorator day rate of £325, with a range of approximately £250–£400 per day. Its broader tradesperson guide places painters and decorators at around £30–£40 per hour.

These figures should be treated as market benchmarks rather than mandatory rates.

How Much Should a Self-Employed Painter Charge Per Hour?

If you are a self-employed decorator setting your own prices, your hourly charge needs to cover considerably more than your personal wage.

Your rate may need to contribute towards:

• Income
• Tax
• National Insurance where applicable
• Van or vehicle costs
• Fuel
• Tools
• Brushes and rollers
• Dust sheets and protection
• Insurance
• Advertising
• Quoting time
• Administration
• Travel
• Unpaid holidays
• Periods without work

This is why comparing a self-employed tradesperson's £35–£40 customer-facing hourly rate directly with an employee's hourly wage is misleading.

Checkatrade's trade-business guidance currently uses around £37 per hour as an average self-employed painter and decorator rate.

Painter and Decorator Day Rate

Day-rate pricing is extremely common.

Current 2026 estimates put the UK range at approximately:

£250–£400 per day

with around:

£325 per day

as the average.

An experienced self-employed decorator might therefore quote £300–£400 for a day's labour depending on location and work required.

Specialist decorators can charge more.

Hourly Rate vs Day Rate

Hourly pricing can work well for:

• Touch-ups
• Small repairs
• Minor painting
• Half-day work
• Maintenance visits

Day rates can be more appropriate for:

• Preparing and painting rooms
• Woodwork
• Multiple doors
• Wallpapering
• Exterior painting
• Full-property decorating

For a project expected to take several days, a fixed quotation can be easier for both the customer and decorator.

Fixed-Price Painting and Decorating

Many experienced self-employed painters prefer to inspect the property and provide a complete price.

For example:

Preparation + Labour + Materials + Paint + Protection + Finishing + Cleaning

This allows the decorator to account for the actual complexity of the project rather than simply multiplying an hourly rate.

Checkatrade likewise notes that painters may charge hourly, daily, by room or by complete project.

Painter and Decorator Labour-Only Rate

Labour-only quotations exclude some or all materials.

The customer may purchase:

• Primer
• Emulsion
• Eggshell
• Satinwood
• Gloss
• Wallpaper

The decorator may still supply consumables such as fillers, masking products, abrasives and caulk.

Always specify exactly what "labour only" means.

Are Materials Included in a Painter's Hourly Rate?

Usually, you should not assume they are.

A £35 hourly rate could cover labour only, while another decorator might incorporate basic consumables into their quotation.

Current Checkatrade guidance states that many painters can supply materials, but premium paint products can increase the overall cost.

Ask whether the quotation includes:

Labour + Paint + Primer + Filler + Caulk + Protection + Consumables

How Much Does a Painter Charge to Paint a Room?

Current 2026 Checkatrade estimates put a medium-sized 18m² room at approximately £450, including standard trade paint and labour.

Its current estimates are approximately:

These figures depend heavily on preparation.

A room with sound plaster and an uncomplicated colour change is very different from one requiring extensive filling, stain blocking, sanding and woodwork preparation.

Painter and Decorator Cost Per Square Metre

Square-metre pricing can also be useful for larger projects.

Current Checkatrade estimates indicate approximately:

• £10–£20 per m² of wall area for internal house painting
• £15 per m² as an average
• £15–£25 per m² for exterior painting
• £20 per m² as an average exterior figure.

Square-metre rates work best when the specification and surface condition are clearly defined.

Cost to Paint a Door

Painting doors can require considerable preparation despite their relatively small surface area.

Current 2026 Checkatrade figures estimate approximately £80–£100 per door, averaging around £90 for both sides.

The cost can vary according to:

• Door condition
• Number of panels
• Existing coating
• Required preparation
• Primer
• Number of finish coats

Intricate period doors can require considerably more work than modern flush doors.

Cost of Painting Woodwork

Woodwork can include:

• Skirting boards
• Architraves
• Door frames
• Window frames
• Staircases
• Bannisters

Checkatrade's current guide estimates around £10–£20 per m², averaging approximately £15 per m², for painting woodwork.

Preparation frequently accounts for much of the labour.

Wallpapering Rates

Wallpapering is often priced separately from painting.

Current 2026 figures indicate approximately:

• £12–£16 per m² labour only
• Around £14 per m² average
• Approximately £350–£500 per room
• Around £450 per room average.

Premium wallpaper, complicated patterns and poorly prepared walls can increase labour requirements.

Self-Employed Painter Rates in London

A self-employed painter and decorator in London may charge above national averages because of higher operating costs.

Factors can include:

• Parking
• Congestion and travel
• Higher insurance and business costs
• Loading restrictions
• Property<