Painter & Decorator Quotes: What’s Included, Prep Work, and Common Extras

Painter & decorator quote checklist for the UK. Learn what’s included, why prep and coats matter, common extras, and red flags before you hire.

Painting and decorating quotes can look straightforward — until you compare them. One quote might include full prep, two coats, and quality materials. Another might be labour-only, exclude prep, or assume a “quick refresh” finish. If the scope isn’t clear, this is one of the easiest services for quality and price to drift apart.

This guide explains what a professional painter and decorator quote should include in the UK, why prep work matters so much, and the common extras you should clarify before you book. Browse local painters and decorators near you to compare services and availability before requesting quotes.

What a Painting Quote Should Include (Minimum)

A reliable quote should clearly confirm:

• The exact scope of work (rooms/areas + surfaces included)

• Prep work included (or excluded)

• Number of coats and finish level

• Materials included (or supplied by you)

• Repairs (filling, sanding, caulking) included or extra

• Protection and clean-up responsibilities

• VAT clarity

• Timescales (start date + duration)

• Payment terms

• How changes and extra work are approved

Painting quotes are all about prep + coats + materials — that’s where most “same job, different price” happens.

1) Scope of Work: What Areas and Surfaces Are Included?

A good quote should list exactly what will be painted and where.

It should specify:

• Rooms/areas included (e.g., lounge, hallway, exterior front)

• Surfaces included (walls, ceilings, woodwork, radiators, doors)

• Any exclusions (e.g., inside cupboards, high stairwells, ornate features)

Tip: “Paint room” is not a scope. Ask for a written list of surfaces.

2) Prep Work: The Biggest Quality and Price Driver

Prep is where professional results are made — and where cheaper quotes often cut corners.

A quote should clarify whether it includes:

• Filling cracks/holes and sanding

• Caulking gaps around woodwork

• Surface cleaning/degreasing (kitchens especially)

• Treating mould/damp staining (where appropriate)

• Priming bare patches or problem areas

If prep isn’t included, the finish won’t look the same — even with the same paint.

3) Number of Coats and What “Finish” Means

Quotes should confirm:

• How many coats are included (often 2 for walls/ceilings, but not always)

• Whether undercoat/primer is included for woodwork

• Whether colour changes require extra coats

• What finish is being quoted (matt, silk, satin, eggshell, gloss)

A quote that doesn’t mention coats is hard to compare fairly.

4) Paint and Materials: Included, Excluded, or an Allowance?

Painting quotes can be:

• labour-only (you buy the paint)

• supply and apply (they include paint/materials)

• a mix (basic materials included, paint as an allowance)

Confirm:

• Is paint included?

• What brand/quality level is assumed?

• Are extras like primer, filler, caulk, masking tape included?

• Is there a paint allowance, and what happens if you choose premium paint?

This is a very common source of unexpected extra charges, especially on bigger jobs.

5) Protection, Furniture, and Making Good

A professional quote should say who handles:

• protecting floors and furniture (dust sheets, masking)

• moving furniture (and putting it back)

• removing/replacing fittings (curtain rails, switches, shelves)

• clean-up and waste disposal

If you’re in a furnished property, protection matters as much as paint.

6) Repairs: What Counts as “Included”?

Small filling and sanding is often included, but bigger repairs may not be.

Ask whether the quote includes:

• filling and minor plaster repairs

• stain blocking for water marks

• repairing damaged woodwork

• exterior repairs (cracks, flaky paint, rot)

Best practice is to have repairs listed clearly as included or as separate options.

7) Exterior Painting: Access and Weather Add Complexity

Exterior work is harder to price because access and conditions vary.

Quotes should clarify:

• whether ladders/scaffold are needed

• whether hire costs are included

• what happens if weather delays the job

• prep expectations (scraping, sanding, stabilising surfaces)

If the quote is for exterior, ask what’s included for surface prep — it makes or breaks durability.

8) Fixed Quote vs Estimate (Painting Can Be Either)

Many interior jobs can be fixed if scope is clear. Estimates are more common when:

• surfaces are in poor condition

• repairs are likely

• exterior access is uncertain

• you’re unsure on colours/spec

Ask in writing:

• Is this fixed or an estimate?

• What could increase the cost?

• Do you confirm variations before continuing?

9) Payment Terms and Scheduling

For smaller jobs, payment on completion is common. For larger work, staged payments may be normal.

A good quote should confirm:

• deposit amount (if any) and why

• what triggers stage payments

• final payment after completion

• cancellation/rescheduling terms

Be cautious about large upfront payments without a clear written scope.

10) Red Flags in Painter & Decorator Quotes

Watch out for:

• one-line “paint the room” pricing

• no mention of prep or coats

• paint included but no spec/allowance mentioned

• vague “extras may apply” wording

• pressure to book immediately

• refusal to confirm scope in writing

• very low pricing that likely excludes prep

If you see these, ask for details before booking — the quote isn’t comparable otherwise.

Quick Painter & Decorator Quote Checklist (Copy/Paste)

Before accepting, confirm:

✔ Rooms/areas and surfaces included

✔ Prep work included (filling/sanding/priming)

✔ Number of coats and finish type

✔ Paint/materials included or excluded + spec/allowance

✔ Protection, furniture moving, and clean-up

✔ Repairs included or priced separately

✔ VAT clarity

✔ Fixed vs estimate confirmed

✔ Variation process agreed in writing

✔ Payment terms sensible

Final Thoughts

A professional painting quote should read like a plan: clear scope, prep included, coats confirmed, and materials specified. When those details are written down, comparing quotes becomes simple — and your chances of getting a high-quality finish go up massively.

If you’re ready to compare options, you can request painting quotes online and review what’s included side by side.

FAQ — Painter & Decorator Quotes (UK)

1) Why do painting quotes vary so much?
Prep work, number of coats, paint quality, repairs, and whether materials are included can change the cost significantly.

2) Should prep work be included in a painting quote?
It should be clearly stated. Good prep (filling, sanding, priming) is essential for a quality finish, and quotes often differ based on how much prep is included.

3) How many coats should be included?
Often two coats for walls/ceilings, but it depends on colour changes, paint type, and surface condition. Always confirm coats in writing.

4) Is paint usually included in decorator quotes?
Sometimes. Many quotes are labour-only, while others include paint/materials or use allowances. Confirm what’s included and what quality level is assumed.

5) What are common extras in painting quotes?
Repairs beyond minor filling, stain blocking, extensive sanding, scaffolding (exterior), moving heavy furniture, and premium paint upgrades can all be extra.

6) What are red flags in a painter’s quote?
No mention of prep or coats, vague scope, unclear paint specification, and unusually low prices without details are major warning signs.

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