Before the start date
The most useful thing you can do is make decisions early. A decorator standing in your living room waiting for you to choose between two whites is costing someone money.
- Choose colours and finishes, and test samples on the walls
- Confirm exactly which surfaces are included – walls, ceilings, woodwork, radiators
- Agree who's supplying the paint
- Finish any messy work first – plastering, new sockets, joinery
- Arrange parking if spaces are scarce or permits are needed
Clearing the room
Most decorators will move and cover furniture as part of the job, but the less there is to move, the quicker it goes. Clear small items, ornaments, books and anything fragile or valuable. Take down curtains, blinds and pictures if you can – or check whether the decorator will do it.
If a room is empty, it's often quicker and cheaper to paint. If that's not possible, try to leave space around the walls so the decorator can work.
Pets, children and daily life
Wet paint, open tins and dust sheets aren't a great mix with curious pets and small children. Plan where they'll be while work is going on, and agree with the decorator which rooms will be out of use each day so you can keep the house running.
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Access and practicalities
Let the decorator know about anything that affects the job: parking restrictions, a lift that needs booking in a block of flats, an alarm code, or times when someone in the house is working from home. If they'll have a key, agree working hours and how you'll keep in touch.
When the job is finished
Walk round the room with the decorator in good daylight before paying the final balance. Look at cutting-in lines, any missed patches and the woodwork. Small touch-ups are normal and easy to sort while they're still on site. Ask for any leftover paint to be labelled and left with you.
