Decorator tips

[carlos1984]

Hi, I need to get a decorator out to wallpaper my hallway. Any tips on where to look, I had one but seems I have been let down. Hudds area if anyone on here sees. Yes before you say do it yourself, no chance. I can wallpaper but never done stairs etc and would prefer to get a pro.

Thanks.

 

[Chri5]

As friends and neighbour who they use.

You then get an exact idea of the persons ability, realibility and ethic from the start.

Be very aware that trade sites tend to have goood and bad. If you have to use someone that you don't know phone his last few jobs and verify he is suitable.

Good paper hangers don't have to hawk for work.

 

[opps]

I'd pretty much echo what Chri5 says.

I consider myself to be ok(ish) at paper hanging but I am not in the same league as the specialists. Unfortunately though, most decorators, by definition are not paper hanging specialists.

Apropos those find a tradesman websites- a word of warning- earlier in the year my GF decided to get a decorator to do our hallway. Although i am a decorator and aspire to provide a very high quality of finish, she decided that I was too busy. The guy had a 5 star rating and his prices were acceptable.

The day that he finished (and had been paid) she asked me to redecorate the hallway. I assume that he is a contract decorator that doesn't normally do domestic work (other than via the commission based websites whilst in between contract jobs). He didn't own an electric sander and did so little sanding that he didn't even need a vacuum cleaner.

The only positive has been that my GF has been reminded that not all decorators are created equal.

 

[Brigade77]

As with ALL trades you want someone who is accountable.

This means ignoring the 'AAA+ or Phoenix Decorators (2015 ltd)' adverts that appear anywhere, in any form, that may appear in front of your eyes.

What you want is a bloke who earns a modest income from decorating, not someone who charges the gullible £2.5k+ to hang 15x drops on a staircase.

That bloke (or increasingly wooman) will be listed under his/her own name. Their name IS their reputation, that's who you want.

 

[Pigeon85]

Always ask neighbours and friends as a first option, don't be frightened to ask for references and a lot of people will have some sort of portfolio these days, especially on social media.
Echoing a previous comment above, ive been a painter/decorator for 12 years now and would never consider myself brilliant at paper hanging, probably because the lack of wall papering jobs done, the older boys are probably a good choice as they would have hung a fair few rolls when it was considerably fashionable.