Preparing for the decorators

The day of your big redecoration is just around the corner. You’ve chosen the colours and even bought a new couch, or ordered new carpet that will go with your new colour scheme. We’re going to love working in your home and I’m sure we’ll all have a fabulous time, but we are also aware it’s very disruptive having tradespeople in your house. How can you best prepare for the project so that it goes as quickly and smoothly as possible and you’re back to your normal routine (with new colours!) before you know it? Here’s a few tips to help make it as seamless as possible.

Clear the room

Although it’s not always possible to clear everything from a room, the more space we have to move, the easier and quicker it is to complete the job. Covering and masking takes valuable time and the less things we have to cover and protect the more time we can spend on your beautiful walls and woodwork. Although some larger items need to stay in the room, it helps if these can be moved to the centre of the room (if they are heavy, we can discuss helping with this. If they are very heavy we may need to engage some external help to prevent injury to you or us). All smaller items such as pictures, vases, lamps and cushions dog bowls etc should be put away to avoid us knocking them over or tripping over them. It’s a good idea to remove any valuable items from the room too, because if we’re tip toeing around a precious heirloom or priceless sculpture then we’re not going to be at our best.

Give it a good clean

So, that we can get straight to what we do best, it’s a great idea to give the space a good hoover and wipe over. It’s also a great opportunity to notice any areas of damage you might not have noticed when we first inspected for the quote. Often these unexpected repairs can take more time to fix, so if we know about them before we start we can make sure we get to them first, so as not to delay the project.

Prepare to live without the room(s)

If it’s a lounge you’re having done then you' might just have to live without the telly for a couple of days. On the other hand if it’s the hall, stairs and landing or kitchen, then that’s another matter. We cover and protect everything we’re not painting so kitchens will often be covered with masking film or paper, making that Himilayan salt in your spice cupboard inaccessible. Perhaps set yourself up a tea or coffee station or arrange for meals during the day which don’t require the use of ovens or stovetops. If hall stairs and landing, try to minimise traffic in and out or organise another entrance point on the day.

Less visitors the better

It’s a good idea to avoid appointments from other tradespeople, visits from the grandchildren and it’s an especially bad time to dog sit the neighbours dog. The carpet fitter who just wants to come and have a “quick measure up” or the plumber who needs to fix the kitchen sink while we’re painting the kitchen will all tell you they only need a moment but as we’ve found through experience, the quick washer replacement that turns into a sink refit can be a nightmare for us and you. We appreciate that it’s not easy to get hold of tradepeople and pin them down, and of course emergencies are unavoidable, but the less disruption we have the sooner you’ll have a free and clear space for them to do their best work. If you have pets, then a date at doggie daycare might not be a bad idea. Pet hair in a still-drying paint finish is not a good result, but it pails in comparison to a knocked over paint scuttle! We love children, but keeping them safe is always our priority. many of the tools we use have sharp blades and ladders are an obvious hazzard. Also, although we use a dustless system as much as possible, we can’t account for all dust or people’s reactions to it. For this reason it’s best to keep them out of the work area at all times.

Let us know if you have any special requirements

It’s a good idea to let us know if you have any special requirements such as dust allergies or anxiety proir to us beginning the job. This helps us prepare for and work around these factors, as well as to manage your expectations so that you know exactly what we’re doing and can therefor prepare yourself.

Ask Questions

Finally, if you have any questions about what is going to be involved or what you can do to prepare or help us be as effective as possible and do the finest job we can, then no question is a silly question. Ask us literally anything that concerns you!