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Information & Advice on Painters & Decorators

There are many potential reasons for hiring a professional decorator. It could be that you aren't able to get that particular look in a room, or, that you feel your house needs a makeover but you're not quite sure where to begin, or how to really go about it. Or, it might even be that you have certain ideas but need a second opinion before you begin. Some people may hesitate about hiring a painter or a decorator since they have a notion that they are too expensive, or may not give them a finished result that is not exclusive or original. Cost Getting straight to the point: Cost is the single most important aspect in preventing homeowners from engaging professional help. Perhaps obviously, cost is directly proportional to the size and complexity of the job you need done. You will, therefore, have to try and work out a budget to begin with. It will be based on several elements. Paint or Wallpaper If you feel confused about the innumerable shades of paint and designs of wallpapers that are available; and are totally at a loss as to the correct choice for your home, you might want to run your ideas by a professional decorator and painter. It's actually his or her job to transform your ideas into reality. Nonetheless, before you finally decide whether you'll go for a paint job or finish the room off with wallpaper, it'll be sensible to look into the project in more detail:- Paint If you need to freshen up a room or perhaps the entire house, paint is likely to be a more cost effective, durable and repairable choice and is thus most popular among house owners. If you opt for painting you also get the additional option of creating your own exclusive shade by mixing and matching the numerous shades that are already available. Add to this the different effects that can be obtained by the application of stencilling, rag rolling or marbling techniques. You thus have a virtually limitless range of shades and effects at your disposal. Paints come in basically two varieties - gloss and emulsion. The nature of the surface dictates what type can be applied to it. You can't apply the same type of paint which is used on the steamy ceilings of your bathrooms on the outside brick walls of your house. In the most general of terms, emulsions are water-based paints used for walls and ceilings, whilst gloss paint is often oil based (although increasingly water based also) and is used for skirtings, windows, door frames and the like. There are a variety of special purpose paints such as masonry paint for the exterior, floor paint, rust proofing and ironwork paint, and both interior and exterior gloss paints. Whilst on the subject of gloss paints, historically these came only in a high loss (shiny) form and a limited range of colours. They are now available in almost any colour you care to name and in high gloss, regular gloss, satin (sheen) and matt finishes. The latter are regarded by some as offering a more 'modern' feel. If you decide to use a decorator, they will almost always have their own favourite brands of paint and will often use the 'trade' versions of the paint. Interestingly, these are often more expensive to buy than the 'retail' versions because they are manufactured to a higher standard for greater durability so when your decorator gives you the costs, don't assume that they are 'trying it on'. Wallpaper Wallpapers are basically available in two categories - plain untreated printed paper and vinyl wallpaper. The untreated wallpapers are fine if you have no children or pets. The vinyl wallpapers, in contrast, are washable with a vinyl coating applied to them and are thus more durable. They are an appropriate choice for tough areas such as kitchens and perhaps the children's bedroom. That said, damage to painted walls can be filled and painted over. Damaged wallpaper is hard to repair. Embossed or woodchip wallpaper can be applied to defective or poor surfaces to smoothen out the irregularities, and after the wallpaper paste has dried, paint can be applied to create the desired finish. This is perhaps the major driver behind many peoples' decisions to choose wallpaper: rough walls don't look good if simply painted and re-plastering or even 'skimming' multiple rooms to create a smooth effect is both messy and expensive. Standard wallpapers can be obtained at reasonable cost. There are also many themed wallpapers, perhaps with kids themes for the childrens' bedrooms. Some 1970's 'retro' patterned wallpapers are also popular at the moment. Perhaps the single most important downside of wallpaper is that once hung, it becomes very difficult to remove without any damage. That said, wallpaper, if properly chosen and hung by a professional, can easily last for ten to fifteen years. Preparation This is a very important element of the whole process and contributes significantly to the cost. Not only that, the quality of the final finish depends largely on the degree of preparation undertaken before the painting or wallpapering is started. The walls have to be stripped of old wallpaper, and then washed, rubbed down and primed. If there are cracks they need to be filled, with any loose plaster removed and patched. This really is a messy and dusty affair and is generally best left to the professionals. However, if you choose to have this done for you rather than doing it yourself, it will form a considerable part of the overall expense, depending on how much preparation is needed. Labour Charges Labour charges will vary widely depending on where you live. Make sure that you get proper written estimates before you agree to anything and ensure that they cover all elements of the process that you have verbally agreed upon. Make sure that your painter or decorator knows precisely what is expected of them before they start. Most decorating professionals can also carry out other work such as coving, dado and picture rails, and other minor repairs. Conclusion Once you have a view as to the work needed, decide which, if any parts, you want to tackle yourself and obtain several estimates for the remainder of the work. Also remember that good decorators can be booked up for months in advance so don't assume that they can start next week. When considering who to hire for the job, you could choose a member of the Painting and Decorating Association, to be assured of a professional standard of work. Alternatively, ask around your neighbourhood, to see if you can find someone through recommendation.