Day job costs for a painter/decorator

skyjumper

Not a DIY person myself, decided to get a painter (self-employed) to get some work sorted out at home. Now he has inspected my place and has given an estimate of costs.

It's just one small room we are re-painting including the ceiling.
He said it's going to be a day's work and will charge us £160 + costs of the paint and other supplies.

Isn't that a bit steep for a day's work; don't personally think it's going to be a full day's job anyway. I can't do it myself as I'm not in good health to do it.

any suggestions/ advice really appreciated. thanks in advance

suisidevw

Get two more quotes from friends/family that can recommend someone............Not sure where you are, but my old man pays his decorator about £140 a day in Sussex which isn't exactly cheap

jayhangslow

Hi Skyjumper,

To be charging £160 labour for the job works out at £20 ph for 8 hours, you should expect a top class job and nothing less, it should be absoulutely perfect.....Ask if able to contact previous clients to assertain if the standard of work reflects the cost, if genuine he should not have a problem in doing this......or you could always try that website that's been advertised, i think it is myhammer.co.uk.

Hope this helps, James

julianashcroft

If he's working as a business, that doesn't mean he putting £20.00 in his pocket. He will have running costs, vehicle, insurance. etc.

jafsie

You think that's a lot I just got a price for painting the hallway/stairs/landing in an average size three bedroom terrace house.£900

and I have already bought the paint so it's labour only I reckon two days work.

Needless to say I'll be doing it.

morganedge

Amazing that they can charge so much but that does seem to be about the going rate.
No qualifications/formal training required to be a painter/decorator is there? Probably a good line of work to get into?

My dad paid our painter £150 per day.

Radsteral

not a paimnter myself- i m the one messing around your house to make walls smooth(plastering;)
do consider that unless seen the walls and wood conditions , its likely we all talk crap!
it will take me 1 day easily to finish a room whatever the condition of the walls, but painters wont escape that easy...unless owner wants just a quick slap it up with the chosen colour and bingo

nickj_2

morganedge wrote: »

Amazing that they can charge so much but that does seem to be about the going rate.
No qualifications/formal training required to be a painter/decorator is there? Probably a good line of work to get into?

My dad paid our painter £150 per day.

you will be amazed at how many people think they can paint and then make a right pigs ear of things ....it's not quite as easy as it looks
you only have to look at other threads on the diy section of mse to see how many people ask what to seal new plaster with .... giving that the instructions are on most tins they still ask or insist that pva is the way forward

Bangton

I think £160 is completely reasonable....I wouldn't bat an eye at that quote : - )

skyjumper

Just an update. Got quotes from 2 other people and it's all coming very near to the initial quote. one guy said, approx 150 + or - 20 pounds and the third guy quoted 180, So I guess the first guy was reasonable unless they are all friends and they have planned it all well, just kidding.

Will try and negotiate with the first guy and will feedback here. thanks for all the replies and suggestions

McKneff

jafsie wrote: »

You think that's a lot I just got a price for painting the hallway/stairs/landing in an average size three bedroom terrace house.£900

and I have already bought the paint so it's labour only I reckon two days work.
Needless to say I'll be doing it.

Nothing annoys a professional painter and decorator more than a customer saying ' well, it'll only take a couple of days'
The painter will tell you how long it takes, he is the professional which is why you are employing him and he knows exactly how long it will take