How to prepare for your decorator

People who value my opinion – yes, both of them – sometimes want to know what’s the best way to prepare for the decorators.

Apart from leaving the country, I tell them, there are some sensible things to bear in mind.

We’ll assume that you already know what paint you want, that you have chosen the shades and the finish, and what you want left alone.

We will have advised you on what degree of preparation the walls will need, if lining paper is advised or simply making the plaster good – or if more extensive work is needed first, like re-plastering. We can include whatever work is needed.

So the painters are due to arrive tomorrow. How to get ready?

Our decorators love nothing better than an empty room, but they will move and cover sofas, bookcases and so on and make sure the paint goes where it is supposed to. If possible, it helps if you can remove ornaments and small items in advance. Some boxes are handy along with newspaper or bubble-wrap to keep things protected.

If you need to be out our workmen can look after keys, feed the cat and sign for online deliveries. They are good on their time-keeping. They’ll agree a workable schedule with you in advance.

At the end of they day they’ll clean up and, if they need to leave some equipment overnight they’ll ask you where they can put it so it doesn’t get in your way.

My workmen have never been offended by an offer of tea and/or a biscuit, but please don’t spoil them or they will grow fatter and lazier then me.

When you’re ready for decorating work, where else would you turn but to London’s greatest decorating company. You’re only human, after all. Holly is waiting for your call now on 020 8946 5045.

Geoff Parvin
GD Parvin Ltd.