The decorator day-rate calculator helps a self-employed decorator work out the minimum daily charge needed to meet their income target. Enter your desired income, overheads and working pattern, and the calculator produces a break-even day rate and a suggested day rate that includes your desired profit.
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Decorator Day-Rate Calculator
Work out the minimum day rate you need to charge to cover your income, overheads and desired profit. Enter your costs and working pattern to get an instant break-even and suggested day rate.
Income & costs
Working pattern
Your Day Rate
- Estimated billable days
- 205
- Required annual revenue
- £61,100.00
- Break-even day rate
- £249.27
- Suggested day rate (incl. profit)
- £298.05
- Equivalent hourly rate
- £37.26
- Monthly revenue target
- £5,091.67
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This is a planning estimate and not financial, tax or accountancy advice. Your actual billable days may vary, and unexpected costs or gaps between jobs will affect your income. Review your day rate regularly and speak to an accountant if you need professional advice.
What this calculator does
How to use it
Enter your desired annual personal income, annual business overheads and individual cost categories such as vehicle, insurance, tools, marketing, accountancy and pension. Add a contingency amount and your desired annual business profit. Then enter your working weeks per year, working days per week and expected non-billable days (holidays, admin, quoting, sickness).
How the calculation works
Required annual revenue is the sum of your desired income, all overheads and costs, pension, contingency and desired profit. Available billable days is your working weeks × working days per week, minus non-billable days. The break-even day rate is required revenue ÷ billable days. The suggested day rate includes your desired profit, and an equivalent hourly rate is shown based on your working day length.
What could affect the result
This is a planning estimate, not financial, tax or accountancy advice. Your actual billable days may vary, and unexpected costs or gaps between jobs will affect your income. Review your day rate regularly and speak to an accountant if you need professional advice on your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good day rate for a decorator?
Day rates vary widely by location, experience and job type. This calculator helps you find the minimum rate you need to cover your costs and income target. Many UK decorators charge between £150 and £350 per day depending on these factors.
How many billable days should I expect?
Most self-employed decorators account for 20–30 non-billable days per year for holidays, sickness, admin and quoting. Enter your own estimate to get a realistic figure.
Is the day rate before or after tax?
The calculator works out the revenue you need to generate. Income tax and National Insurance are paid from your personal income, so consider speaking to an accountant to understand your take-home pay.
Should I include a contingency?
Yes — a contingency of 5–10% of your annual costs helps cover unexpected expenses such as vehicle repairs, equipment replacement or work gaps.
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