Category: How-to

We might be biased, but bringing in a painting and decorating team is always a good move.

There’s nothing like the excitement of a properly done-up home.

It injects energy into your life in ways you couldn’t possibly foresee.

With that said, it’s worth considering how you might best prepare for their visit in order to make the most of it.

Many people assume a professional ought to do everything for them, and of course to some extent that’s correct.

However, there are a few very common oversights people make which either slow down the work they have done or compromise the final product.

By simply being aware of and avoiding these pitfalls, you should be able to enjoy all of the many wonders of hiring a Painter and Decorator stress-free.

 

Cleaning

This is nothing shocking or innovative.

Simple ensuring that the spaces you’re planning to have done-up are all clean and clear before your professional arrives will save lots of time and effort on both of your parts.

 

Clearing furniture  

Too often, furniture is overlooked when bringing in a professional.

And of course it can be dealt with if needs be.

However, it will again save both time and stress if you have a plan where your furniture will be moved to or how it will be covered, in order to make sure the professionals can focus on providing you with the best work they can.

 

Planning what you want

 This may sound strange, but plenty of people don’t put the time aside to properly consider what they want their final product to be.

Maybe this is a time issue, or perhaps mere oversight.

Either way, it cannot be overstated how useful giving yourself some real space to figure out what you want a painter decorator to do for you.

Not doing is a bit like sitting in a barber’s chair and asking for ‘a hair cut’.

Of course a good hairdresser will give you a nice haircut in that situation.

The problem is that even the best hairdresser is unlikely to take too many risks or do anything particularly interesting if he or she is totally unclear about what it is you’re after.

If you go in with a clear idea of what you want, you are more likely to come away with something really spectacular, not to mention ensuring what you get is really ‘you’.

Your plan could be as vague or as specific as you like – just make sure you have one!

We can all relate – you want a painter decorator to make your home come alive, but you just don’t know who to choose. Luckily, we’ve put together a straight-talking, three-step guide to help out with that!

Accreditation

First thing’s first – be on the look out for accreditation. Plenty of people are operating without any professional body or trade association backing them. And that means they’re operating without any official code of practise and without accountability. In the UK, the PDA (Painting and Decorating Association) is the gold standard – the longest running, the largest membership and greatest transparency and integrity. To be a member (as we are) is to be part of a community which refines its standards regularly and enforces them at all times.

Reputation

Next, you need to make sure whoever you choose has a solid, established reputation. There are so many curve balls homes can throw at a decorator, experience is really the only way to be sure your decorator will be prepared for anything. Check how long they’re been in game (over 15 years, since you asked) and check their customers reviews. If everything all looks good, you’re probably onto a winner.

Endorsement

However, if you’re still having trouble making that final call, look out for product endorsements. By this, we mean: do they have the backing of a brand? Is a brand willing to put its name behind them? At Rushton, we’re Dulux Select Decorators, which means we use top quality products and we have their endorsement to do so.

With these three simple measurements in mind, you’re guaranteed to find a painter decorator on the level you need to achieve the finish you want.