Top Tips for Hiring Professional Painters and Decorators

Do you want to completely transform the look of your home without any hassle?

Painting and decorating your home can make an enormous difference. And if you want to do the job right the first time, it’s best left to the professionals. But before you hire anyone, there are some important things you should know to protect yourself from disaster. You may have heard stories about dodgy tradespeople who take your money, but never turn up; or do a shoddy job then demand more money to finish. There’s no need to panic – as long as you know the warning signs and how to spot them.

The good news is, by doing your research in advance and following these steps you can have peace of mind and hire with confidence. The UK has 242,180 painters working in the industry, and in demand like never before. So there’s plenty of choice and you can find the best people for the job near you. In this guide, we cover all the essential steps to take when hiring painters and decorators, without getting burned.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Experience & Reviews Matter Most
• Beware the Real Cost of Cheap Quotes
• Get Everything in Writing Before Work Starts
• Professional Painters and Decorators Must Be Insured
• Questions You Must Ask Before Hiring Painters and Decorators

Experience & Reviews Matter Most

The single most common mistake when trying to find a painter is simply not doing your research. People go online, see a quote and before you know it they’ve signed on the dotted line and handed over the money.

Start by researching the reputation of the company online. Read reviews on all of the main sites and platforms like Google, Trustpilot, and other local directories. Also check out their past projects on their site and social media. Do they have experience with jobs similar to yours?

A professional painter should have years of experience under their belt. It’s a large industry and there are currently an estimated 28,100 painting jobs openings per year. There’s a lot of choice so be picky.

Ask for references and actually call up previous clients. Was the contractor punctual and did they stay within the budget? What about the quality of workmanship and cleanliness on site?

Experience matters because painting isn’t just about throwing some colour on the wall. Professionals know how to properly prepare surfaces, choose materials that will last for years, and deliver a result that is long lasting.

Beware the Real Cost of Cheap Quotes

It’s true that hiring painters and decorators can be a costly endeavour, and everyone wants to save money where they can.

However, if you go for the lowest price every time you will get what you paid for. Painters who quote significantly lower than the others are almost always cutting corners. The more they charge, the better the quality of paint, prep work, time taken, and materials used.

Ask yourself:

How can their business costs be similar to other painters but the price is so much lower? The only reason is if they are using cheap materials, are unlicensed and uninsured, or have no experience at all.

Professional painters invest in the best paint brands, quality tools, and have extensive training. This all costs money and therefore the price reflects that.

The best approach is to get 3-5 quotes to compare. If one is drastically cheaper than all the others you need to ask questions. Understand the whole package and what is included. Materials, prep work, timing, clean up, warranty, etc.

Hiring painters is a long-term investment that adds value to your home and should last for years. Cheap jobs are often of poor quality and begin to fail after a short time. You will then need to pay to fix, repair or redo completely. That’s just wasting more money.

Get Everything in Writing Before Work Starts

Never agree to hire a painter and start a job before you have a detailed written contract in hand. This is one step you should never ever skip.

The contract should be very specific about all aspects of the work. The exact colours, paint brands, number of coats, surface preparation methods, start and finish dates, the overall cost, and all of these are itemised.

The contract protects both parties. Ensures the work is completed as agreed and the contractor cannot change their terms after job starts.

Make sure it also says who is responsible for cleanup. Professional painters will leave the place spotless at the end. All their gear, drop cloths, tape, and debris were removed and properly disposed of.

The payment schedule must also be in writing. Do not pay the full amount up front. The deposit to book the job then further payments as work is completed to a satisfactory standard. The final payment is only after you inspect and approve.

Professional Painters and Decorators Must Be Insured

This one is super important but often skipped by homeowners and with dire consequences.

Professional painters and decorators must have two types of insurance. General liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If they don’t have both, then do not hire them and walk away immediately.

General liability insurance covers damages to property. Workers’ comp covers injuries to the painters themselves while they are working. Without these policies, the homeowner becomes liable for any accidents, injuries, or damages that happen.

If a painter falls off a ladder and injures themselves it could cost tens of thousands in medical bills. They knock over a paint bucket and ruin your hardwood floors? Without liability insurance you have to pay to repair.

A legit painting contractor will provide you with proof of insurance right up front. They should provide copies of both policies and verify that they are up to date and provide sufficient coverage. If they seem to make excuses or hesitate about insurance then huge red flag.

It’s also good to double check by calling the insurance companies directly to confirm they are active and up to date.

Questions You Must Ask Before Hiring Painters and Decorators

Before you commit to any painters and decorators, it’s vital to ask the right questions to see if they are legitimate or not. You can filter the professionals from the amateurs quickly.

Begin with these crucial questions:

How long have you been in business? What experience do you have with similar projects? Can you provide recent client references? What paint brands and types do you use? How do you handle surface preparation?

Ask them about prep work. Professional painters should clean the surface, repair cracks and holes, sand rough areas, and prime surfaces as needed. Skipping steps usually means poor quality that won’t last long.

What’s their timeline and how do they handle delays? Weather can delay exterior work so how do they plan around that? Do they work evenings and weekends if needed to stay on schedule?

Who is actually doing the work? Owner or subcontractors? How many people will be on site at once? How do they protect furniture and floors? What is the cleanup process at the end of each day?

Finally, do they offer warranties or guarantees on their work? A confident professional will stand behind their workmanship. Most quality painters offer at least 1 year warranty against defects.

Final Thoughts

Hiring professional painters and decorators isn’t difficult or stressful. With thousands of painters employed in the industry and the number growing each year, there are plenty of options near you.

The key is to focus on experience, reputation, and credentials rather than price alone. Research thoroughly, get multiple quotes and insist on a detailed written contract. Insurance is non-negotiable – without it you are exposed to financial ruin.

Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions and trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right or the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. The best contractors are transparent, answer questions honestly and make you feel confident. By following our tips and avoiding the mistakes, your paint job will transform your space for years to come.