Use this guide to help you to choose a decorator to paint, wallpaper or decorate your home.
There are many reasons why people choose not to do their decorating themselves and instead turn to the professionals.
A shortage of time due to family commitments, long working hours or even a packed social life is the most common reason for someone choosing to employ a professional decorator.
Other reasons include a dislike of climbing ladders and a desire to have the job done to a higher standard than many DIY amateurs can achieve.
Of course, employing decorators does not let you off the hook completely.
You still have to define the style, decide on the colours, choose between wallpaper, paint and other options and source the accessories.
Not always an easy task and, if there is more than one person involved, not always easy to reach agreement.
Our decorator was highly amused when I reluctantly agreed to give my husband's choice of colour a go but, before letting the decorator start work, got a quote for repainting it the following month.
It turned out to be an excellent choice of colour (a deep terracotta for the dining room) but you never know! As with any trade, it is critical that you make a good choice when choosing your contractor and agree on sensible terms for doing business.

• Choose the right sort of decorator for the specific job which needs doing.
  Decorators have a wide range of different skills and experience.
  Some decorators are more comfortable working indoors to outdoors or vice versa whilst others may have a strong preference for painting rather than putting up wallpaper.
  For some work, you may want a decorator who is able to provide special paint effects such as rag rolling and marbling.
  
• Get more than one written quote and make sure that everyone is quoting on the same clear terms.
  Key issues to consider include:
  • who is paying for the paint or wallpaper?
  • if the decorator is paying for materials as part of the job, what quality of materials are being provided?
  • is there VAT to pay?
  • who will actually be doing the work? - do not assume that the person who has given you the quote will do the work
  • what preparation is going to be done e.
    g.
    sanding down woodwork
  • how many coats of paint are to be used?
  • whether your decorator will move furniture or whether you will need to do this before work starts
  • How long will it take?If the decorator is painting the outside of your house, does the estimated completion date allow for some bad weather?
• Request and follow up on references - local decorators may even be able to arrange a visit to see another local customer
• Consider how your decorator is going to get access to your property.
  Would you be comfortable providing a key which can be used when you are out?
• For exterior decoration, agree clear arrangements about security.
  Problems can occur is you are out when the decorators leave and window frames are still wet.
  The painters may want to leave the windows open but doing so could leave you without effective insurance if a burglar got in through the open window.
  
• Check whether your contractor has insurance to cover any personal injuries or damage resulting from the work?
• Ask when payment will be due? - some element of up-front or staged payment may be acceptable but you would be unwise to agree to pay in full until the work is finished.
  

Local Service Guide features decorators and decorating firms in its directory of local services.
If you are a decorator or you know of a really good decorator who may welcome the chance to be featured on our site, please send us an email