| Summary: A good decorating quote is a written, itemised document, not a single figure scribbled on the back of a card. It should set out the preparation, the decorating work, the number of coats and the materials, so you know exactly what you are paying for. This guide explains what a professional quote should contain, what makes the price go up or down, and the warning signs to watch for before you agree to any work. |
Inviting a decorator into your home is a decision built on trust, and the quote is where that trust starts. A clear, detailed quote tells you the decorator has understood the job, thought it through and has nothing to hide. A vague one tells you the opposite. Knowing what a proper quote looks like puts you in a stronger position to compare decorators fairly and avoid unwelcome surprises later.
Quote or estimate? Know which you have been given
The two words are often used loosely, but they mean different things, and the difference matters.
A quote is a fixed price for a clearly defined scope of work. Once you both agree it, that is the figure, unless the scope itself changes.
An estimate is a considered best guess. It is useful for early budgeting, but the final cost can move. It is most common where the full extent of the work cannot be seen until it begins, for example where hidden damp or damaged plaster may lurk behind old wallpaper.
Neither is wrong, but you should always know which one you are holding. If a decorator gives you an estimate, ask what could change the figure and by roughly how much. A professional will explain the variables honestly rather than leaving you to find out at the end.
What a professional decorating quote should include
A one-line total is not a quote; it is a number without a promise attached. A thorough quote should spell out what is being done, in what order, and with what. Look for the following.
| A good quote sets out… | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The scope, room by room | Removes any doubt about which rooms, walls, ceilings and woodwork are included, and which are not. |
| Preparation work in detail | Filling, sanding, caulking, masking and priming are where most of the labour hours go. If prep is vague, the finish and the price are both at risk. |
| Number of coats | Two coats is standard on most surfaces. Stating it in writing stops any dispute later about coverage. |
| Materials and who supplies them | Whether paint and sundries are included, and whether you or the decorator is buying the paint. |
| Labour and timescale | A realistic idea of how long the work will take and how the team will be scheduled. |
| Access and protection | Dust sheets, moving furniture, and any access equipment needed for stairwells or high ceilings. |
| An ‘extras’ clause | A professional confirms that any unforeseen extra work will be agreed with you before it is carried out, never done and charged without consent. |
| Total price and how to pay | One clear figure or a broken-down total, plus the payment terms and whether VAT applies. |
What makes the price go up or down
Two homes of the same size can carry very different quotes, and the reason usually has little to do with the colour on the wall. The biggest single factor is the condition of the surfaces and the preparation they need. A freshly plastered new-build room and a period property with layers of old wallpaper can be worlds apart, even where the floor area is identical.
The main things a decorator weighs up are:
- Surface condition and preparation. Filling cracks, stripping old wallpaper, sanding tired woodwork and stain-blocking all add hours before a drop of colour goes on.
- The number of surfaces. Walls, ceilings, skirting, door frames, doors and window sills each take time. A ‘full’ redecoration is very different from walls only.
- Coats and colour changes. Going from a dark colour to a pale one, or covering strong stains, can need an extra coat.
- Access. Stairwells, high ceilings and hard-to-reach exterior areas can call for specialist access equipment and more careful working.
- Materials specified. Premium paints and specialist finishes cost more than standard trade products, and last differently too.
Preparation is the part most likely to separate a good decorator from a cheap one. For a sense of how much careful prep goes into a lasting finish, see our guides on preparing and painting new plaster and painting skirting boards and woodwork.
Get it in writing, and watch for the red flags
A verbal quote invites misunderstanding. Prices heard over the phone are easy to mishear and impossible to prove, and “I thought that included the hallway” is a difficult conversation to have once the work is done. Always insist on a written quote, ideally by email, so there is a clear record of exactly what was agreed.
Once you have quotes in front of you, a few warning signs are worth taking seriously.
| Red flag | Why it should give you pause |
|---|---|
| A verbal-only quote | Nothing is documented, so there is no way to hold anyone to what was said. |
| A single figure with no detail | You cannot tell what is included, which makes disputes almost inevitable. |
| Prep work glossed over | If preparation is barely mentioned, corners may be cut where it matters most. |
| A price far below the others | A quote well under the rest can signal thin preparation, cheaper materials or inexperience. |
| No mention of insurance | A reputable decorator carries public liability cover and is happy to confirm it. |
| Pressure to decide on the spot | A professional gives you time to compare quotes rather than rushing you. |
Payment terms and VAT
Before any work starts, be clear on how and when you will pay. For larger projects a decorator may ask for a deposit, with the balance due on completion; smaller jobs are often settled in full once the work is finished. There is nothing unusual in either arrangement, provided it is agreed in writing up front.
Check too whether the quote includes VAT. A VAT-registered business will add it, and the total should make that clear so you are comparing quotes on the same basis. If you are ever unsure, simply ask for the figure with VAT shown separately.
How to compare quotes fairly
It is sensible to gather a few quotes, but the lowest number is rarely the best guide. The aim is to compare like with like.
- Check the scope matches. Make sure each quote covers the same rooms, surfaces and number of coats before you compare totals.
- Read the preparation, not just the price. The quote with the fuller prep will usually give the longer-lasting finish.
- Confirm what is included. Paint, sundries, furniture moving and clean-up should be accounted for one way or another.
- Look at credentials and cover. Trade-body membership, insurance and genuine reviews all speak to reliability.
- Weigh value, not just cost. The cheapest quote can become the most expensive if the work has to be redone.
The Alan Cox Decorators approach
We built our reputation on removing the guesswork. Before we pick up a brush, you receive a formal, itemised quotation by email that sets out the preparation, the work and the materials, with no hidden costs. As members of the Painting and Decorating Association and a fully insured team, we are always happy to confirm our credentials, and we will never carry out extra work without agreeing it with you first.
It is the same principle that runs through everything we do: meticulous preparation, clean and tidy working, and turning up when we say we will, so the finished result matches exactly what you agreed to pay for.
