So you have just been to see your best friend’s newly decorated house and decide that rather than be green with envy you want to channel your inner jealousy and go completely go gung ho in your own home! We‘re here to help you make the decision whether you should brave it alone or outsource it to a professional.
Painters and decorators are the underrated gems of the tradespeople world. They are the patient unsung heroes that get very little shout outs compared to their counterparts the plumbers, electricians etc.
But there is such skill in a highly experienced painter and decorator, they have seen it all! From exquisite colour schemes to the downright ridiculous. They are not only skilled at the physical aspect of the job but a good painter/decorator will have a vast knowledge of colour palettes and know the very best materials required to make something look expensive and tasteful. So why hire a painter and decorator if you think you can complete the look yourself?
Some homeowners enjoy a trip to the local hardware store and picking out all the necessary gear to get started, some of them end up with all the gear and no idea, whilst others already have a plethora of equipment ready and waiting, these people are usually the ‘busy’ people, the ones who can’t sit still and want everything done yesterday. I am accustomed to this type of person as I am married to one.
So here are a few things to think about before you don your overalls…
- Are you up to the job? – Think to yourself, are you truly up for the job physically? You may think you are now, but decorating a room well takes time, courage and a whole lot of stamina. Expect the aching arms, the motivational block and the regret that you started something you don’t want to finish. For the sake of around £180-£250 a day for a painter and decorator, is it worth it?
- The cost – If you are fairly new to the decorating scene, you will have forked out a small fortune in paint and all the gear that comes with it, and let’s be honest most non-experienced DIY decorators will either go for the most expensive products thinking that they are likely going to provide the best outcome or they go the other extreme and buy the bargain items, thinking that it won’t make a difference, a brush is just a brush right?.. But whilst you have spent all this money on all the gear, ask yourself are you going to make a habit of decorating, or is this a one-off? It could go one of two ways once the first room is completed, but you do not want to have spent a fortune on products and accessories that you are likely to throw in the bin along with your enthusiasm when instead you could outsource to someone who knows what products actually work due to their extensive experience and bear in mind that the cost of their equipment is an investment to their business, which will be used time and time again.
- Preparation – This was the biggest eye-opener for me. My partner calls me slap-dash, just wanting to get the good part, the painting (which as it turns out I didn’t enjoy nearly as much as I thought) Sadly there is a huge job of making everything right, filling the small cracks in the wall, and waiting if it to dry, the uneven surfaces, the sanding down of window sills, removal of furniture and curtains, it’s a big job. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to decorate. Outsourcing to a professional saves all this time, they lay out all the dust sheets, prep all the surfaces and tidy everything up afterwards, and you just have to sit back and wait for your room to be transformed.
- Time – Professional painters and decorators paint for a living, like with anything the more you do something the better you get and the faster you can do it, with years of experience under their belt, they will be able to get the job done much quicker at a much higher standard than the average ad-hoc DIY’er.
- The price – Most painters and decorators will price based on a square metre basis, so the bigger the room the more time and effort involved, therefore the price will increase with the size of the room. You can reduce your costs by purchasing your own paint, but remember that experienced painters and decorators have great knowledge of the quality products on the market, so it’s always good to discuss this with them prior to going on a spending spree, they usually receive trade discounts and although there will be an element of mark up added, you know you are getting the best products and it will save you time if you let them do all the leg work. To help with budgeting there are some websites out there that can assist you. Although Kwota… pricing made simple is a trade-based pricing tool, a consumer can create an account and view public price lists for painters and decorators so you can get an idea of what the cost might work out to be.
- Social media – In this day and age you can almost try before you buy when it comes to re-decorating, so many painters and decorators use the forum of social media to showcase their talents, you can see all their handy work that they have completed over the years and see any feedback that they have received. You can find out a lot about their style and if they are the right fit for you.
Overall, hiring a professional painter and decorator can provide many benefits and ensure that your project is completed to a high standard, saving you time and effort in the process.
