There’s something about a freshly painted room. It can transform a space, breathe new life into it, and brighten up the entire area.
And if you want your home to look its best before putting it on the market, you’ll be amazed what a lick of paint can do. For the best results, you no doubt want a local painter and decorator who comes highly recommended.
How to find the best painter and decorator near you
You’ve made the decision to hire a professional painter decorator, but of course, you want to be sure of a job well done.
Finding an approved, experienced painter decorator in your local area is easier than you might think.
We have two straightforward ways to find an expert painter decorator near you:
Option 1: Use our request a quote feature
If you’re short on time, this option is for you. Just add your details to our ‘request a quote’ feature and our approved decorators will be in touch with you.
- Add your details to the form
- Let us know what work you need
- We’ll search our leading directory for you
- Our local painter decorators will contact you to discuss your requirements
Option 2: Browse our online trade directory
If you have a little more time and want to scroll through the approved decorators in your area, type your postcode in the box below, hit search, and see who comes highly rated.
The best part about searching for your local decorators on Checkatrade is that only decorators who meet our high standards and pass our quality checks will appear for you.
And to top it off, we’re so confident in the quality of our trades on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee* their work up to £1,000.
*Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility and T&Cs apply.
What does a painter decorator do?
Aside from the obvious, what does the scope of a painter decorator’s work include? What can you, as a customer, expect your painter decorator to do as part of your project?
A painter decorator will generally:
- Advise how much paint or wall covering is needed for your job
- Lay dust sheets and prepare materials
- Remove old wallpaper
- Fill holes and cracks, and sand, to ensure a smooth surface
- Apply primer and undercoat where needed
- Provide the paint and wallpaper, where agreed
- Apply the paint or hang the wallpaper
- Paint the woodwork, e.g. window sills, skirting boards, and doors
- Apply any special finishes required, e.g. a stain or varnish
- Leave the area tidy upon completion of the project
Questions to ask a painter decorator
Most people can paint a wall, but few can achieve the same outstanding results as a professional painter decorator.
So what questions should you ask before hiring a painter decorator to ensure your finished project gives you the wow factor?
Do you have insurance?
Spilled paint on your carpet? It’s unlikely to happen when you hire a professional, but should an accident take place, insurance will pay to put it right.
That’s why we make it mandatory for all Checkatrade members to have up-to-date public liability insurance to be listed in our directory.
Does your work come with a guarantee?
Many painter decorators will offer a satisfaction guarantee, and some will provide a limited-time warranty for their work to ensure you’re completely happy with the results.
Checkatrade members come with the Checkatrade guarantee. This covers you for up to 12 months, giving you additional peace of mind when you use our directory to find a tradesperson (T&Cs apply).
Can you show me examples of your work?
With a skillset that has the ability to truly transform a space, most painter decorators will have a gallery of photos to showcase their work. This might even help to inspire your project too!
You can also check a tradesperson’s past work and credentials by looking at online reviews.
All Checkatrade members have a business profile page on our site, making it easy to check these things. Any qualifications and/or accreditations to trade associations will also be listed here.
What’s your availability and when could you complete the work?
To secure the best painter decorator near you, try to plan ahead as much as possible.
The good ones will be booked up in advance, so start the process early to avoid disappointment.
It’s also wise to ask how long the work should take, especially if the decoration is one part of a larger renovation project.
How much do you charge?
An experienced painter decorator will work quickly and efficiently to achieve an exceptional finish, saving you both time and stress.
But how much will this expertise set you back?
We recommend getting 2-4 quotes from different painters in your local area. Ask that they are itemised so you can compare like-for-like. Check whether:
- All tools and materials are included
- Paint/wallpaper is included
- The quote includes removing old wallpaper/paint if needed
A more experienced painter decorator is likely to charge more, but remember, you get what you pay for. Where you live, the size of the job, and whether any special finishes are required, will impact the price.
As a guide, the average painter decorator day rate is £325.
Related content: Read our painter decorator cost guide for more comprehensive information and a breakdown of individual costs.
How do I find a local painter and decorator near me?
You’ve chosen your colour scheme, you know what to look for in a good painter, and you have a selection of questions to qualify your hire. Now it’s time to find a trusted and experienced painter decorator near you. Here’s how:
Check trade associations
You can check a painter decorator’s credentials on websites such as The Painting and Decorating Association and the Dulux Select Decorator site.
Accreditation with these organisations means the decorator has been assessed and vetted to ensure the customer receives the highest standards of work.
You can also use trade directories such as Checkatrade to find painter decorators in your area who have been approved and vetted.
You’ll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass our quality checks on Checkatrade.
Check online reviews
A quick online search will allow you to check a tradesperson’s reputation and the quality of their work.
Websites such as Checkatrade display honest and verified reviews from real-life customers.
Ask for recommendations
Word of a good, reliable painter decorator spreads fast among local friends and family. So tap into this resource and ask for their recommendations.
Be sure to check these recommendations out on Checkatrade too!
Ready to find an experienced, reliable painter decorator near you? Just add your postcode to the box below to start your search.