A guide to painters & decorators.

While many homeowners attempt to paint themselves, a professional brings the technical skill required for flawless "cutting in," smooth wallpaper hanging, and the rigorous preparation work that ensures the finish lasts for years rather than months.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Surface Preparation: Stripping old wallpaper, sanding down woodwork, and scraping away loose or flaking paint.
• Repair Work: Filling cracks, dents, and "blown" plaster with appropriate fillers and sanding them flush.
• Protection: Masking off skirting boards, sockets, and switches, and laying heavy-duty dust sheets to protect flooring and furniture.
• Priming and Undercoating: Applying specialist primers to bare wood, new plaster, or stained areas to ensure even adhesion.
• Topcoat Application: Applying multiple coats of emulsion to walls and ceilings, and gloss, satin, or eggshell finishes to trim.
• Wallpapering: Measuring, pattern-matching, and hanging wallpaper or feature walls with precision.
• Reinstatement: Removing masking tape, cleaning the site, and refitting any removed hardware or socket plates.

Typical Costs

Several factors will influence your final quote, including the condition of the existing surfaces, the height of the ceilings, and the quality of the paint selected. If the decorator needs to move heavy furniture or strip multiple layers of woodchip wallpaper, expect the labour costs to rise significantly.

How Long Does It Take?

• Small Room (e.g., Box room): 1 to 2 days including drying time between coats.
• Large Living Area: 2 to 4 days, depending on the amount of woodwork and decorative detail.
• Hall, Stairs, and Landing: 3 to 5 days due to the difficulty of access and number of "cuts" required.
• External Painting (Front door and windows): 1 to 2 days, strictly weather dependent.

DIY or Professional?

Painting is a popular DIY task, but the difference between an amateur and a professional finish is usually found in the preparation. Professionals have the tools and patience to sand and fill surfaces perfectly, which accounts for roughly 70% of the total job time.

For high-ceiling areas, stairwells, or hanging expensive patterned wallpaper, hiring a professional is highly recommended to avoid safety risks and costly material wastage. Professionals also have access to "trade" paints, which typically offer better coverage and durability than retail versions.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Qualifications: Look for NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Decorative Finishing or membership in the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA).
• Insurance: Ensure they hold valid Public Liability Insurance (minimum £1 million).
• References: Ask to see a portfolio of recent work or contact previous local clients.
• Detailed Quotes: Ensure the quote specifies if materials, VAT, and waste disposal are included.

Always ask: "How many coats of paint are included in this quote, and what brand of paint do you intend to use?"

UK Regulations

• VOC Regulations: Professional decorators must use paints that comply with UK limits on Volatile Organic Compounds to ensure indoor air quality.
• Lead Paint: In homes built before 1960, decorators must follow specific safety protocols if lead-based paint is suspected.
• Working at Height: Decorators must follow the Work at Height Regulations 2005, using stable platforms or scaffolding for stairwells and exteriors.
• Waste Disposal: Trade waste (including paint tins) cannot be disposed of in domestic bins; decorators should have a waste carrier licence.

Common Problems

• Visible Brush Marks: Often caused by using poor quality brushes or working too slowly in warm conditions, causing the paint to "drag."
• Peeling or Flaking: Usually a sign of poor preparation or painting over damp or greasy surfaces without a primer.
• Bleed-Through: Stains from water damage or knots in wood appearing through the topcoat because a stain-blocking primer wasn't used.
• Poor Wallpaper Alignment: Resulting from walls that aren't "plumb" or failing to use a plumb line for the first drop.
• "Flash" Marks: Uneven patches in the sheen caused by inconsistent rolling or failing to maintain a "wet edge."

Frequently Asked Questions