How to Start a Painting & Decorating Business in 2026 (UK)

The Reality: Painting and decorating is not a brush business. It is a prep, protection, and scope control business. You win on clean finishes, tight quotes, and predictable schedules. You lose money on underpriced prep, surprise repairs, and last-minute colour changes.

Plug this into the broader growth system outlined in From Van to Empire Scaling Guide, How to Scale from One Van to Three, and Service Business Pricing Mastery 2026.

Choose Your Painting & Decorating Model

Pick one model to start. Mixing everything early makes quoting inconsistent and kills profit.

Decision shortcut:

• Start with domestic interiors if you are solo.
• Add exteriors once you have equipment for safe access.
• Move into commercial or fit-out when your systems and photos prove quality.

Legal and Safety (UK)

There is no license required, but you must operate safely and comply with workplace standards.

Key safety basics

• Working at Height Regulations apply on ladders, towers, or scaffolds.
• COSHH awareness for paints, solvents, fillers, and cleaners.
• Lead paint risk in older properties. Use dust control and RPE if you disturb old paint.
• Asbestos awareness if you work on older buildings or textured coatings.
• Waste disposal for paint tins and solvents - follow local council guidance.

If you are unsure about a surface, test before sanding or stripping.

Insurance You Need (Do Not Skip This)

A drip on a carpet or paint on a sofa can wipe out profit.

For a deeper breakdown, see: Field Service Insurance Guide 2026.

Startup Costs: Lean vs Professional

Lean Start (£1,500 to £4,000)

• Hand tools, ladders, dust sheets, rollers
• Orbital sander with dust extraction
• Small van or estate car
• Insurance and basic marketing

Professional Start (£8,000 to £20,000)

• Reliable van with racking
• Spray system for large jobs
• Extension poles, tower or platform system
• Pro dust extraction and floor protection
• Branded uniform and signage

Essential Equipment Checklist

Tier 1: Must-Have

• Rollers, brushes, extension poles, trays
• Dust sheets and floor protection
• Masking tape, caulk, filler, sanders
• Step ladder and extension ladder
• Vacuum with dust extraction
• Moisture meter (for stain risk)

Tier 2: Add Once Cash Flow Is Stable

• Spray system for large interiors
• Mobile access tower or scaffolding
• Lining paper tools and pasting table
• Heat gun or stripper for old paint
• Laser measure for quick takeoffs

Prep Rules That Protect Your Reputation

Paint fails when prep fails. This is the non-negotiable list:

• Degrease kitchens before sanding.
• Fill and sand in natural light or raking light.
• Prime stains, knots, and repairs.
• Cut clean lines before rolling large areas.
• Always test adhesion on glossy surfaces.
• Protect floors and furniture like it is your own.

Prep time should be priced, not hidden.

Pricing Strategy That Actually Works

New decorators lose money by pricing like employees. You are a business.

Set your hourly floor

Target monthly income + overhead + taxes = revenue target Revenue target / billable hours = hourly floor

Example: £4,500 target income + £1,000 overhead = £5,500 £5,500 / 100 billable hours = £55 per hour minimum

Common pricing models

• Per room: Simple for domestic interiors.
• Per day rate: Good for small repairs and snagging.
• Per square metre: Best for commercial and large areas.
• Fixed package: Best for repeatable scopes like a 3-bed repaint.

Pricing rules that protect profit

• Separate prep from painting in the scope.
• Add a minimum charge for small jobs.
• Price higher for dark-to-light changes and stain blocking.
• Include a clear number of coats in every quote.

Need help with objections? Use: How to Handle Price Objections Without Dropping Rate.

Quote Template (Copy/Paste)

Use this to avoid scope creep and colour-change chaos.

Job:
Address:
Scope:
- Rooms: [list rooms]
- Surfaces: [walls, ceilings, woodwork]
- Coats: [e.g., 2 coats walls, 1 coat ceilings, 2 coats woodwork]
Prep included:
- Fill and sand minor defects
- Caulk gaps where needed
Exclusions:
- Plaster repairs beyond 2mm
- Stain blocking for water damage
- Stripping wallpaper or textured coatings
Paint:
- Client supplied / Included (brand + finish specified)
Price:
- £[amount]
Schedule:
- [start date] to [end date]
Payment terms:
- [deposit] on booking, balance on completion

If you need stronger protection, add a contract: How to Write Trade Business Contracts.

Change Orders and Colour Changes

Colour changes after you've started are common. Protect yourself with a simple rule:

Change order request:
- New colour or scope change: £[amount] + [extra days]
- Approved by client: [name + date]

Never absorb this cost. It destroys margin and schedule.

Build a Service Menu (So You Can Quote Fast)

Start with 3 core services and defined scope.

Add-ons to upsell:

• Stain blocking and damp-seal primers
• Minor plaster patching
• Door spraying or trim refinishing

Protect Your Schedule with a Deposit Rule

Materials and time are your risk. Use a deposit for every multi-day job.

Common options:

• 30 percent deposit on booking
• 40/40/20 for larger projects
• Materials paid up front if client changes colour frequently

If payment is late, pause the job. Do not keep working for free.

Snagging Checklist (So You Leave Clean)

Finish quality wins reviews. Use this every time.

• Check edges and cut lines in daylight
• Remove tape before paint fully cures
• Touch up around sockets, trims, and doors
• Vacuum and remove all masking
• Walk through with the client and get sign-off

On-Street Referral Script

If you are painting on a street, neighbours will notice. Ask while the proof is visible.

Hi, I am [Name]. I am repainting [house number] this week.
If you are planning any decorating this year, I can stop by for a quick quote.
I am already on the street, so I can price it keenly.

Winning Customers (Fast)

Painting is visual. Your marketing should be too.

• Before-and-after photos on Google Business Profile weekly
• Short video walk-throughs on Instagram and Facebook
• 10 reviews in your first 60 days
• Partnerships with landlords, letting agents, and builders
• Quote turnaround within 24 hours

For local SEO that works, use: Local SEO for Trade Businesses 2026.

Turn One-Offs Into Repeat Work

Repeat work keeps the calendar full.

• Annual refresh for rentals
• Seasonal exterior touch-ups
• Maintenance plans for landlord portfolios
• Post-renovation touch-up agreements

Need templates? Use: Maintenance Contract Templates 2026.

Metrics to Track Every Week

These metrics show whether the business is healthy:

• Revenue per day
• Prep hours vs paint hours
• Average job size
• Rework or snag rate
• Quote win rate
• Overdue invoices count

Software That Actually Helps

Avoid heavy software until you have stable demand.

Month 1 to 3: Keep It Simple

• Scheduling: Google Calendar
• Quotes and invoices: Toolfy (£29/month includes scheduling + invoices + payment tracking)
• Customer details: Spreadsheet or notes app

Month 3 to 12: Systemize

• Job management: Toolfy handles scheduling, invoices, customer records, and payment tracking
• Payments: Send card or bank transfer links the same day
• Reminders: Automated payment follow-ups for late invoices
• Reviews: Trigger review requests after every completed job

Toolfy quick setup (30 minutes)

• Create service templates for interior, exterior, and woodwork.
• Save your prep and exclusions in the quote template.
• Turn on payment reminders for overdue invoices.
• Track photos and snag notes per job.

Your First 90 Days Action Plan

Week 1-2: Foundation

• Register with HMRC
• Get insurance quotes
• Build your service menu and prices
• Create a quote template with inclusions and exclusions

Week 3-4: Go Live

• Create a Google Business Profile
• Photograph your first 5 jobs
• Collect 5 reviews
• Book 2 multi-day jobs with deposits

Week 5-8: Tighten the Process

• Track prep vs paint hours and adjust pricing
• Add a colour change policy
• Build a referral offer for neighbours
• Set up Toolfy for quotes and invoicing

Week 9-12: Scale the Round

• Target landlords and property managers
• Add a second trade partner or subcontractor
• Refine your service menu and remove low-margin jobs
• Build a seasonal plan for exterior work

Final Word: Prep Wins

The best painters do not just paint. They manage scope, protect surfaces, and deliver a finish that earns referrals. Price for prep, control change orders, and keep your systems tight.

Need job management software built for painters and decorators? Toolfy handles scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and payment tracking for £29/month. Built for UK service teams that want to get paid faster with less admin. See how Toolfy works ->