Three decorators, three very different numbers, and no obvious way to tell which one is good value. It is the most common frustration homeowners have with our trade — and it is nearly always caused by the quotes describing different amounts of work.
Here is how to level the field before you choose.
Day rate vs per room vs fixed price
A day rate is simple but open-ended: you carry the risk if the job takes longer. Per-room pricing is easy to compare but hides how much preparation is included. A fixed written price for a defined scope puts the risk on the decorator, which is where it should sit.
We quote fixed prices against a written scope, so the number you accept is the number you pay unless you ask for extra work.
The eleven things a quote should state
If a quote is missing these, ask for them in writing before you compare it with anything else:
- Exactly which rooms and surfaces are included
- Ceilings — included or not
- Woodwork — doors, frames, skirtings, architraves, windows
- Filling, sanding, caulking and stain-blocking as standard
- Whether new plaster gets a proper mist coat
- Paint by brand, product line and finish
- Number of coats per surface
- Who supplies the materials
- Protection of floors and furniture
- Start date and expected duration
- Snagging — what happens if something needs putting right
Red flags
Cash-only with a large deposit up front. No written quote. No public liability insurance. A price given over the phone without seeing the property. And any quote where preparation is not mentioned at all — because preparation is most of the job.
What to ask for as proof
Ask to see recent photos of similar work, a public liability certificate, and reviews on an independent platform. Ask whether the person quoting is the person doing the work.
Why the cheapest quote often costs more
The savings in a very low quote have to come from somewhere: thinner paint, fewer coats, skipped filling, no stain-blocking, or a rushed schedule. You pay the difference the second time round, when the whole job has to be redone properly.
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Common questions
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