A practical hiring checklist
How to Choose a Painter and Decorator Near You
The best way to choose a painter and decorator near you is to compare two or three written quotes from local firms, check each one's qualifications and published reviews, and ask exactly how they will prepare the surfaces, because preparation decides how long the finish lasts far more than the paint does.
This guide walks through each of those checks in turn, with the questions worth asking on the first visit. We are a Swindon decorator, so we use our own way of working as the example, but the checklist applies to anyone you invite round.
Start with who genuinely works in your area
Searching for a decorator near me returns national directories, lead sellers and firms many miles away that simply list your town. A decorator who is genuinely local can visit to price the job properly, knows the housing stock and can come back easily if anything needs attention after the work is finished.
Ask where the business is based and which areas it covers as a matter of routine. We are based in Swindon (SN3) and travel across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. If a firm cannot tell you plainly where it works, treat that as a warning sign.
Check qualifications and published reviews
Painting and decorating has recognised qualifications, and it is fair to ask about them. Our work is carried out to a ProQual Level 3 NVQ standard. A qualification does not guarantee a good result on its own, but it shows the trade was learned properly rather than picked up on the job.
Reviews matter most when they sit on an independent profile you can check yourself, rather than quotes pasted onto a website. Our customer reviews are published on Checkatrade and linked from every page of this site, so you can read them before you call.
Insist on a written quote after a visit
A decorator cannot price a room accurately from a phone call. The condition of the plaster, the amount of woodwork, the ceiling height and the access all change the work involved. A proper quote follows a visit, and it should be written down so you can compare like with like.
Look for a quote that lists what is included: which rooms and surfaces, how many coats, what preparation is planned and who supplies the paint. Two quotes that look far apart are often pricing different amounts of work. Our quotes are free and written, so the scope is clear before anything is booked.
Ask how they prepare the surfaces
Preparation is where good and poor decorators part company. Filling cracks and holes, sanding back, cleaning, priming bare wood or new plaster and masking edges all take time, and a quote that skips them will look cheaper while producing a finish that fails sooner.
It is also worth asking about dust. We use dustless sanding equipment indoors, which keeps the house far cleaner during the job and matters a great deal if you are living in the property while the work goes on.
- What filling and sanding is planned for each surface?
- Will bare wood and new plaster be primed or mist coated?
- How will floors, furniture and fixtures be protected?
- How is dust controlled while sanding?
Agree how the job will run
Before you accept a quote, agree the practical details: start date, working hours, which rooms will be out of use and when, and how the house will be left at the end of each day. We work Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, and plan the order of rooms so you keep the use of as much of the home as possible.
Finally, make sure you know who will actually be doing the work and who to speak to if a question comes up. A decorator who answers these points clearly on the first visit is usually the one who runs a tidy, well organised job.
Common questions
How many quotes should I get?
Two or three written quotes from local firms is usually enough to see a fair range and compare how each one plans to do the work.
Should a decorator visit before quoting?
Yes. Surface condition, woodwork and access change the job, so an accurate quote needs a visit. Ours are free and written.
What qualification should a painter and decorator have?
An NVQ in painting and decorating shows formal training. Our work is carried out to a ProQual Level 3 NVQ standard.
Where can I check your reviews?
Our customer reviews are published on Checkatrade, linked in the footer of every page.
Which areas do you cover?
We are based in Swindon (SN3) and cover Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.