DECORATING COSTS

Have just got to the age where thinking of a change of career and am considering interior decorating.
Any ideas what should be charged for painting a room 12'x12' approx (no wallpaper removal) , just as a guide.
Thanks in advance.

Lots of variables:

What state are the walls & woodwork
How many doors
Type of windows - sash/multipane/single pane
Are the residents smokers
What area are you working in
What paints do you intend to use
Are they "clients" or is it "mates-rates

Give us a clue and we may be able to steer you in the right direction

Thanks for the reply, answers to the questions as follows

walls & woodwork ok cond.
1 door
upvc windows,
non smoker
outer London
normal emulsion/gloss prob Dulux
work for clients

Thanks again

How long will it take you?
How much do you want to earn a day?
How much will materials/ travelling cost?

Add them all up and that's your price

Very rough guide:

45mins each cutting in and emulsion walls & ceiling

30 mins prep woodwork

60 mins for skirtings & architrave

20 mins per side per door

That gives you approx 4 hours per emulsion coat and another for woodwork plus prep time (assuming theres no filling needed) about 6 hours, double that for 2 coats emulsion, undercoat & gloss. allow another hour or so for moving furniture & sheeting up and you've got about a day and a half, two if you're not so experienced.

I'd go for £150-200 plus materials.

If you're going for Dulux - don't get the retail stuff off the shelf, its rough, really thin with poor coverage. Go to a Dulux Trade centre and get them to mix up any colours on a Trade base - one extreme to another!

As I said, a very rough guide, but breaking the job down generally gives you a much higher and generally more accurate working time. I work at £12.50/hour but your area may tolerate a bit more.

Hope this helps

OK aard, thanks for the reply, that does help me.