1. How Commercial Painting Jobs Are Priced
Commercial painting covers a wide range of work: offices, shops, restaurants, schools, communal areas in blocks of flats, and rental properties between tenants. Because the jobs vary so much, there isn't a reliable published UK "price per square metre" for commercial painting that we can quote with confidence. Most commercial decorators price each job individually, based on a site survey.
Common pricing approaches include:
Fixed price per project: the most common approach for defined jobs, often based on a written specification.
Price per square metre: used for large, repetitive areas such as corridors and open-plan offices.
Day rate: for smaller or ongoing maintenance work. As a domestic benchmark, Checkatrade's painting and decorating cost guide puts the average decorator day rate at around £300, and MyBuilder's painter and decorator price guide at £150 to £250. Commercial rates may differ, especially for out-of-hours work.
Maintenance contracts: some businesses agree an ongoing schedule of touch-ups and repaints.
2. What Drives Commercial Painting Costs
Area and height: large open spaces, high ceilings and stairwells need more labour and access equipment.
Surface types: plasterboard, block walls, metalwork, doors and floors each need different products.
Specification: durable, washable, anti-microbial or fire-rated coatings cost more than standard emulsion.
Working hours: evenings, nights and weekends usually cost more but avoid disrupting your business.
Logistics: parking, loading, lifts, security access and waste removal all add time.
Programme: tight deadlines may need a bigger team.
3. Out-of-Hours Work and Minimising Disruption
Most businesses can't close for a week while the walls are painted. Commercial decorators often work evenings or weekends, or phase the work zone by zone so staff and customers can keep using the building. Low-odour, quick-drying water-based paints help spaces return to use quickly.
When you brief decorators, explain your opening hours, any areas that must stay open, and when deliveries or cleaning happen. That lets them plan a realistic programme and price it accurately.
Quick tip: ask for two prices if you're unsure, one for normal working hours and one for out-of-hours, so you can weigh the cost against the disruption.
4. Compliance, Health and Safety and Insurance
Commercial clients, landlords and facilities managers usually expect more paperwork than homeowners. Typical requests include:
Risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) describing how the work will be done safely
Public liability insurance certificates
Employers' liability insurance if the decorator has employees. The HSE explains that this is compulsory for most employers.
A plan for working at height safely. The HSE's work at height guidance sets out duties for anyone controlling this kind of work.
Product data sheets for specified coatings, for example fire-rated paints
Important: if your building has fire-rated doors or surfaces, make sure decorators know before they quote. Specialist coatings or care may be needed so fire performance isn't compromised.
5. Rental Property Turnovers for Landlords
For landlords and letting agents, repainting between tenancies is one of the most common commercial-style jobs. Speed matters, because every empty week is lost rent. Many landlords standardise on one durable, neutral colour across their properties to make touch-ups quicker and cheaper. Ask decorators whether they can work to a short turnaround and whether they'll supply photos of the finished work for your inventory.
For one-off rental repaints, our room-by-room guide to the cost of painting a room gives domestic benchmarks you can use as a starting point.
6. Getting Comparable Commercial Quotes
A written specification is the best way to make commercial quotes comparable. Include:
A list of areas and surfaces, with approximate sizes or floor plans
Required products or performance (washable, fire-rated, low-odour)
Number of coats and preparation standards
Working hours and access arrangements
Paperwork you need: RAMS, insurance certificates
Your timescale and any phasing
Our guide to comparing painter and decorator quotes covers the basics, and how to find a reliable painter and decorator explains how to check credentials.
7. Benefits of Professional Commercial Decorating
A well-maintained space makes a strong impression on customers, tenants and staff. Professional commercial decorators bring the equipment, products and planning to work safely in occupied buildings and to finish on time. For more on the general benefits, see why hiring a decorator is worth the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is commercial painting more expensive than domestic?
Often, because of out-of-hours working, specialist coatings, paperwork and access, but it depends entirely on the job. Small, simple commercial jobs can be priced much like domestic work.
Do commercial decorators charge VAT?
Many commercial decorating firms are VAT-registered, so quotes may add 20%. Registration depends on turnover, and GOV.UK explains when businesses must register for VAT. Always check whether prices include VAT.
Can decorators work while my business is open?
Often, yes, with careful phasing, low-odour paints and screened-off areas. Discuss it at the quoting stage.
How far in advance should I book commercial decorators?
Plan early for larger projects, especially if you need out-of-hours work or a specific completion date before an opening or inspection. Popular decorators can be booked weeks ahead, and complex jobs may need a site survey and written specification before a firm price can be given.
What paint is best for high-traffic commercial areas?
Durable, washable finishes are usually recommended for corridors, receptions and stairwells, where walls get scuffed regularly. Your decorator can suggest suitable products for each area and explain the trade-offs in cost, sheen and durability.
Can one decorator handle a multi-site contract?
Some firms can and some can't. If you manage several sites, ask about team size, how they schedule work across locations and who your single point of contact will be.
How Find A Decorator Can Help
Find A Decorator is a new UK marketplace that connects homeowners and businesses with professional painters and decorators. We're in our early, pre-launch stage, so we're still growing our network of decorators in each area. Decorator profiles cover 11 regions across Great Britain: Greater London, the South East, South West, East of England, West Midlands, East Midlands, North West, North East, Yorkshire & the Humber, Scotland and Wales. We don't cover Northern Ireland at the moment.
To get started, post your decorating job with as much detail as you can: room sizes, surfaces, photos and when you'd like the work done. You can read more about our commercial decorating service, and if you have questions about how the platform works, our help centre explains the process step by step.
A clear job description gets more accurate quotes. Include the number and approximate size of the rooms or areas, which surfaces need painting, the current condition of walls and woodwork, whether you'll supply the paint, any access issues such as parking or stairs, and your ideal start date. The more a decorator knows up front, the fewer surprises there are later for both of you.
Final Thoughts
Commercial painting is priced job by job, so a clear specification matters more than any average figure. Brief decorators on your working hours, compliance needs, surfaces and products, ask for itemised quotes with RAMS and insurance details, and compare like with like. Planning the programme carefully, especially if you need evening or weekend work, keeps disruption to a minimum and helps you budget with confidence. For landlords, a consistent colour scheme and a reliable decorator who understands quick turnarounds can save time and money on every change of tenant.