Cost of a Decorator- can someone explain this?

[speakout]

I recently had a toilet decorated, some patching of lining paper, preparing walls, light skimming etc.
I supplied the paint- decorator othe materials, but to be fair not much was required.
He charged me £130- it took aroundd 7 hours, so two half days.he did a good job.
So I now have a new fence and decking that needs stained. I thought the same guy would be perfect.
He had a look, told me he has a spray gun, and the job would take around 7 hours. I would supply the stain.

He has texted me and quoted £300 for the work.
More than twice what he charged me for the toilet. And will take around the same time. I asked why so much for a similar amount of his time and all he said was "staining work is expensive"
.I asked him to explain that, but he hasn't replied.

Am I missing something? Does staining require a great deal of expertise or specal technique?
£300 for 7 hours of a decorator's time sounds costly.
Perhaps he is busy and doesn't really want the work?
In which case it would be better to tell me that- I will have other jobs in the future and because he made such a good job of the toilet would definitely use him again, just find someone else for the fence in the meantime.

I am being unrealistic?

He probably doesn't want the job so priced himself too expensive.

They usually charge by the hour/day so looks like he just doesn't fancy the job.

I think you got exceptional value for money with the toilet, his hourly rate was less then £20!!

He probably charges more because it’s working outside/requires specialist equipment which has to be bought.

I would agree that you got a very (very) good deal last time.

£130!?!? I think he undercharged you (intentionally or otherwise).

I didn't think £130 was really cheap??
I have recently had quite a bit of joinery work done, ( had a big flood- hence the toilet work)
My joiner is amazing and charges me £120 a day. He has been back to do lots of other work recently, dealing with damage from the flood, laying a floor, shelving a pantry, So I know that is his standard rate.
My plumber charges £140 a day- so seems to be the going rate for tradesmen around here.
I am not in the SE or the city, so maybe rates a bit lower here?

Wow where do you live? He even did skimming. And I’m 😮 at the plumbing.

Rural Scotland.

Ah, yeah I don’t think most of us can help. In areas even slightly further south with a denser population we are used to paying much more than that.

I couldn’t get a tradesmen for less than £200 a day plus materials here.

AppleKatie
OK, that's fine, it is more the disparity of charges that was puzzling me- I didn't know if fence staining is a particularly complicated or challenging thing to do.

Is that £300 for labour only or does the quote include materials as well?

If it's just labour then, yes, as others have already said it sounds as though he doesn't really want the job.

nickymanchester

It's just labour.

Is it weather related? Harder to schedule? Or he doesn't like working in the cold.

picklemewalnuts

maybe- I am at home all day, and totally flexible about times/weather conditions.

Thanks everyone, I will look for another decorator.

It's easy enough to do yourself. £50 for a spray gun from wickes and two tubs of paint at £40.

I think you got a good deal for the toilet, but as you say, prices are very variable.

The only possible reason I can think of is outdoor paintwork can be a bit of a pain in the arse to schedule as it's weather dependent and whilst it should only take seven hours, it relies on this seven hours plus drying time to be rain free - so in reality he will need a two or three day window where he doesn't have any other work to ensure he can get it done? Although he could have just explained that to you when asked...

In reality, I suspect that one of the following has happened:

1. He doesn't particularly want the job and has priced accordingly.
2. He charged a lower rate than he usually would for the bathroom - either as things were slow his end and he needed the work, or to encourage repeat custom/recommendation. This seems less likely from what you've said about it being in line with local tradeprices.
3. He does want the job, but doesn't actually own a sprayer so has factored in the cost of hiring one.
4. He's very much in demand and feels he is able to increase his prices.

Have you had any other quotes? That might give you a feel as to whether it's just an expensive job in general or if he is over charging.

ClashCityRocker

Thanks- a good analysis. I will get another quote.

StephenBelafonte I am sure I could do it myself- it is time that is the issue.

You got a bargain for the toilet so either he undercharged that and realised his mistake, or he's overcharging the decking because he doesn't like doing outside work OR he's realised that people will pay practically anything for outside work at the moment.

I'm getting quite a lot of work done in the garden and lots of local contractors wouldn't even quote, they're so busy that the whole summer is booked up. That said, the quote I went for has labour at £250 pd, but that's for two people - so yes your quote is v high. (also Scotland)

From MyBuilder-

*Decorator costs
Painters and decorators may charge a day rate for their services. Painters will usually charge a day rate for their labour of around £150 to £200, with prices tending to be highest in London.

So £140 doesn't seem crazy low.

@speakout

Rural Scotland.

Please say Aberdeenshire and then immediately send me all their details??? This is bonkers cheap. My last plumber was £420 a day and joiners etc you can generally expect to pay £250 a day not including VAT if they are registered! Please please say you are Aberdeenshire!!!

Not Aberdeenshire- sorry!