So, you’ve decided you need some decorating work done at home, or maybe even in your place of work, and you’re unsure what you need to know from your tradesmen?

We’re sadly in an age where cowboy culture is rife and unskilled, untrained individuals are setting up businesses with no real knowledge, so those are the people you need to avoid.

As experienced tradesmen ourselves, we’ve put together the questions you should be asking, and any decorator worth his salt won’t hesitate to answer.

1. Find Out The Basics

At the point you first meet someone you may already know that they have a few good reviews and a Facebook page peppered with previous examples of their work but meeting them in person allows you to quiz them further. If you saw an example you particularly like ask them about the colours and technique used, you’ll soon smell a rat if they can’t discuss these things comfortably. Chat about their experience in the industry, whether than can provide references and what insurance they have.

2. Practicalities

If they survive the first round of questioning it’s onto the who, what and when type topics. What hours do they work? Will it be them or other people actually completing the work? What space would they need to store ladders and materials or are they taking everything away with them each evening? Most importantly ask how long they anticipate the job will take and the price for the project overall.

3. Materials

If you’re unsure on paint finish, colour, or brands this is the time to enquire about the best paint for your project. We are more than happy to direct you to the Dulux Diamond Eggshell or Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt if you’re unsure what you’ve been told is accurate, but if you’ve got a decent decorator on your hands they should be able to recommend too.

4. House Rules

You’re paying for this job, so how you want things to work is largely down to you. If certain hours are only doable for your family or business, then stipulate that from the outset. You don’t want to come home daily to paint splattered sinks, dirty footprints through the property or not be able to park on your drive due to their vans, just be open and talk about it all. As we said earlier, most professionals will have already addressed all of your concerns or have a plan to make the job run as smoothly as possible, for you and them.

5. Warranty and Clean Up

When the work is finished what is the plan? Are you expected to get rid of empty paint cans, dispose of used rollers and be removing masking tape? News flash, you shouldn’t be doing any of the above. Ensure you voice your expectations to the person, or team, at the outset, so that they understand what is required. You should also ask about any warranty on a job completed which is commonplace now in the sector. If your wallpaper starts falling off a week after completion you need to know you have a leg to stand on with a complaint. This should also feature on a receipt or invoice that you receive for the project.

Hopefully, you now feel much more confident in the interviewing process of a painter and decorator and know what to ask. Now you’ve just got to look forward to seeing your space transformed by trusted suppliers!

Don’t forget you can order your decorating materials with us to click and collect, for next day delivery or just pop in to one of our three stores across the North West.

If you’re planning a project soon and are unsure which products to use, we’d love to help! Get in touch with us here, or alternatively just sign up to our newsletter to regularly receive offers, news and advice.

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