When it comes to choosing the right painter and decorator for your home, there are some key issues that you need to be aware of; have some basic DIY painting knowledge first, choose a specialist rather than a general handyman, find out the process, get quotes from the tradesmen you’re considering, get a time-frame and choose someone with lots of experience.
Let’s consider each of these points in a bit more depth.
Basic DIY Knowledge
Before you start inviting tradesmen into your home to give a quote on your project, it’s worth doing some research to find out what steps typically apply to the type of project you’re undertaking.
This way you’ll have a better understanding when the tradesmen explains processes to you; and you’ll have a much better idea of who is taking the right approach to your job.
Choosing a Specialist
When it comes to painting and decorating, a lot of homeowners choose to tackle the job themselves or hire a general handyman. This can be a way to save money, or simply because they’re under the misapprehension that decorating is an easy task. Choosing a general handyman often means cheaper rates; but there’s a big difference in the quality. It’s about the definition, like any specialists, they know what layer needs to come first, how to apply it, what to apply it with and how to achieve a flawless finish every time.
Finding Out the Process
Don’t be afraid to ask your chosen decorator to talk you through the different aspects of the job step by step. If they’re skilled and honest, they’ll have no qualms about answering your questions fully.
Get Quotes
It’s recommended that you get at least three tradesmen to have a look at your job and to each provide you with a detailed quote, in writing which breaks everything down. This way you’ll be able to compare like with like and see exactly where your money is going.
It’s important that the tradesman highlights their charging structure in writing, whether it’s per hour/per day or is it a fixed price for the total job?
For some larger projects, some painters and decorators might ask for a deposit upfront, but never pay the full amount. Instead, wait until the project is completed and you have inspected the work.
Get a Time-frame
Finding out how long the project is likely to take can both reveal a tradesman’s level of expertise and save you some money. Sometimes, hiring a specialist with a slightly higher day rate could actually save you money in the long run – as it will take them less time to complete the project as they’ll have the industry know-how.
Choose Someone with Lots of Experience
Professional painters and decorators work on a wide range of projects; make sure that you hire someone with specific and recent experience of your type of job. Ask if they have a portfolio you can look at, or even a business website with photos.
