Painting and Decorating: What a Proper Job Includes
Preparation, primers, finishes and scope: what professional decorating includes and how to get an accurate, comparable quote.
Two decorating quotes for the same room can be hundreds of pounds apart, and the difference is almost always preparation. A finish that lasts depends on what happens before the first coat of colour goes on. This guide explains what a proper decorating job includes, so you can plan the work and compare quotes fairly.
The quick answer
- Condition matters more than room size, so send photos of cracks, stains, flaking paint and woodwork
- A good quote lists walls, ceilings, woodwork, doors and radiators separately
- Fresh plaster needs a mist coat, and stains need a stain-blocking primer
- Fix leaks and damp before decorating, or the problem will come back through the paint
- Agree who supplies the paint and which finish goes where before work starts
What proper preparation includes
- Protection: covering floors and furniture, and masking edges and fittings
- Cleaning: removing grease, dust and mould so paint can grip
- Filling: cracks, holes and dents, then sanding smooth
- Caulking: gaps between walls, skirting and frames
- Sanding: woodwork and glossy surfaces so new paint bonds
- Priming: bare wood, new plaster, repairs and stains
- Making good: small plaster repairs before the paint goes on
Skipping any of these is how you end up with peeling paint, visible cracks and stains bleeding through within months.
Choosing the right paint for each surface
| Surface | Typical finish | Why |
| Living rooms and bedrooms | Matt or washable matt | Soft look, hides small imperfections |
| Hallways and stairs | Durable or washable matt | Takes knocks and can be wiped |
| Kitchens and bathrooms | Kitchen and bathroom paint | Copes with moisture and steam |
| Ceilings | Matt | Hides uneven surfaces and glare |
| Skirting, doors and frames | Satin or gloss | Hard-wearing and wipeable |
| New plaster | Mist coat, then topcoats | Lets the plaster absorb paint evenly |
Homes and rental properties
For a home, tell us which walls, ceilings, doors and woodwork need doing, whether you will be living there during the work and who is supplying the paint. For rental properties, durable, wipeable finishes in consistent colours make future touch-ups quicker and cheaper between tenancies. Include photos of any cracks, staining, flaking paint or damaged plaster.
Offices, communal areas and managed buildings
For commercial decorating, send the room or floor schedule, access arrangements and any restrictions around staff, tenants or visitors. Decorating can be planned alongside repairs, carpet and flooring so the work happens in the right order and the space is disrupted once rather than several times.
Damp, leaks and stains come first
If there has been a leak or damp, the cause must be fixed and the wall allowed to dry before decorating. Painting over an active moisture problem gives a short-lived finish and can hide a problem that still needs attention. Water stains need a stain-blocking primer, or they will show through new paint. Our condensation, damp and mould guide explains how to tell the causes apart.
What a clear decorating quote should list
- Each room or area included
- Walls, ceilings, skirting, architraves, doors, frames, radiators and cupboards, as separate items
- The preparation included, such as filling, sanding, priming and making good
- Who supplies the paint, and the colours and finishes agreed
- Whether furniture needs moving and who moves it
- The order rooms will be done in, for whole-property work
In what order should rooms be done?
On a whole house, work usually starts at the top and finishes with hallways and stairs, which take knocks from everything being carried through. Ceilings come before walls, and walls before woodwork. If new flooring is going in, decorating normally comes first, so carpets are not splashed, although skirting may need a final coat after fitting.
Choosing colours
Colour looks different under natural and artificial light, so test samples on more than one wall before buying large quantities. Our guide to choosing the perfect wall colour walks you through it.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to decorate a room?
An average room with walls, ceiling and woodwork often takes two to three days, allowing for preparation and drying time between coats. Heavy preparation or wallpaper removal adds time.
Do I need to move my furniture?
Clear small items and breakables. Larger furniture is usually moved to the centre of the room and covered. Agree this in advance.
Should I buy the paint myself?
You can, but agree the brand, colour, finish and quantity with your decorator first. Trade paints often go further and wear better.
Can you paint over wallpaper?
Sometimes, if it is well stuck and in good condition, but removing it usually gives a better and longer-lasting finish.
Do you decorate occupied homes and offices?
Yes. Working hours, protection and the order of rooms are agreed so the space can stay in use.
Get a decorating quote
The Local Handyman London Ltd decorates homes, rental properties, offices and communal areas across Ealing, Greenford, Acton, Hanwell and West London. Send your postcode, the rooms or areas, clear photos and your preferred timing. Include close-ups of any repairs needed.
Related guides
- How to choose the perfect wall colour
- Kitchen and bathroom renovation planning
- Carpet, LVT or laminate?
- How to hang wallpaper
- Painting skirting boards and woodwork
Prefer to talk? Call 07444 262522.