Guides · Updated 2026-10-15

ChatGPT prompts for painters and decorators (UK)

These prompts cover the messages a painter and decorator writes every week: quotes, prep notes, extra-work messages, aftercare and review requests. Fill in the [brackets], paste into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini, and check the draft before you send it. AI tools can get rules wrong, so check anything legal yourself. We checked the rules below on 15 October 2026.

For general messages, see ChatGPT prompts for tradespeople. Start a quote from the free quote template.

Quotes

1. Quote that spells out the prep

Write a clear quote for [customer name] for decorating [rooms or areas]. Include: prep ([filling, sanding, caulking, stain block]), number of coats ([number]), paint ([brand and range, or "customer to supply"]), what's not included ([ceilings, woodwork, moving furniture]), price [£amount, saying whether it includes VAT], start date, how long it should take, and payment terms ([deposit, balance on completion]). Plain English, British spelling.

2. Cancellation notice for quotes agreed at the customer's home

Write a short, plain-English cancellation notice to go with quotes I agree in customers' homes. Say they can cancel within 14 days, how to do it ([email/phone/form]), and what happens if they ask me to start within the 14 days ([our policy, checked against the Consumer Contracts Regulations]). British spelling, under 150 words.

If you agree a contract in the customer's home, you must tell them they can cancel within 14 days. If you don't, they can cancel for up to 12 months. Contracts of £42 or less are exempt (GOV.UK: doorstep selling).

3. Extra work found during the job

Write a short, polite message to [customer name] explaining that I've found [problem, such as blown plaster or rotten window sill] while preparing [area]. Explain what it means, give two options with prices ([option 1: £amount], [option 2: £amount]), and say I won't do the extra work until they agree in writing. British spelling, under 150 words.

If a contract doesn't fix the price, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says the consumer must pay a reasonable price (section 51), and every service must be performed with reasonable care and skill (section 49). Agreeing extras in writing first avoids disputes.

Older properties

4. Lead paint note for older homes

Write a calm note to [customer name] explaining that their [doors/windows/skirting] may have old lead paint underneath, because the house was built around [year]. Explain that we'll leave sound paintwork in place and paint over it where we can, and that if we need to strip it we'll use [wet abrading / chemical stripper / dust extraction], sheet off the area, and keep children and pregnant women away from the room while we work. No scare tactics, British spelling, under 150 words.

HSE says lead pigments were widely used in house paint until the 1960s and weren't removed from all commonly used paint until the early 1980s. Its advice: leave sound paintwork in place, key it with wet abrasive paper, and only strip it if it's flaking or a risk to children. Don't use blow lamps or gas torches, and keep hot-air guns below 500°C (HSE: lead in construction).

5. Artex or textured ceiling: possible asbestos

Write a calm message to [customer name] explaining that their [Artex / textured ceiling or wall] could contain asbestos because the property is from before 2000, that I won't sand, scrape or drill it, and the options: [paint over it as it is / get a sample tested first / use a licensed contractor if removal is needed]. Give how this affects the job and price. No scare tactics, British spelling, under 150 words.

HSE says asbestos was widely used in homes until it was banned in 1999. If you come across material that might contain it, stop work, confirm what it is or assume it's asbestos, and do a risk assessment (HSE: asbestos FAQs).

During and after the job

6. Before we start: what to expect

Write a short message to [customer name] before we start on [date]. Cover: what time we'll arrive, what they need to move or empty ([details]), how we protect floors and furniture, where we'll need access to water, how long rooms will be out of use, and when it's OK to hang pictures back up ([days]). Friendly, British spelling, under 150 words.

7. Aftercare note

Write a short aftercare note for a customer after decorating [rooms]. Cover: how long before the paint can be washed ([days, from the paint maker's instructions]), how to clean it, leftover paint we've labelled for touch-ups, and how to contact me about snagging within [period]. British spelling, under 150 words. Don't add drying times I haven't given.

8. Chase a late payment

Write a polite but firm reminder to [customer name] that invoice [number] for [£amount] for decorating at [address] was due on [date]. Say how to pay ([bank details placeholder]) and ask them to pay by [date]. No threats, British spelling, under 120 words.

See how to chase a late payment for the next steps.

9. Ask for a Google review

Write a short text to [customer name] thanking them for having us decorate [room or area] and asking if they'd leave an honest Google review here: [link]. Easy to say no, no discount or gift, under 300 characters, British spelling.

Don't offer anything in return for reviews: see can Google detect fake reviews?

10. Before-and-after social post

Write a short Instagram post about a decorating job: [room], [what we did], [colours and paint used]. Honest, no claims I haven't given, no customer address, British spelling, under 120 words, plus 5 hashtags.

Before you send anything

• Check rules against the source, not the AI's version.
• Don't paste customers' addresses or phone numbers into an AI tool if you don't need to.
• For quoting, invoicing and other tools, see AI tools for painters and decorators.

FAQ

Is old paint likely to contain lead?

In older buildings, possibly. HSE says lead pigments were widely used in paint until the 1960s and not removed from all commonly used paint until the early 1980s.

Can I sand an Artex ceiling?

Don't sand, scrape or drill textured coatings that might contain asbestos. HSE says to stop, confirm what it is or assume it's asbestos, and do a risk assessment.

Do customers have 14 days to cancel a decorating job?

If you agree the contract in their home, yes: you must tell them they can cancel within 14 days. Contracts of £42 or less are exempt.