A little preparation on your part makes a real difference to how smoothly a decorating job goes. It means your decorator can get straight on with the work, there is less risk to your belongings, and you are not paying for time spent carrying boxes. Whether you are having one bedroom freshened up in Armthorpe or a whole house decorated in Bawtry, this checklist covers what to do and when.
A few weeks before: decisions
Agree the scope in writing
Make sure you and your decorator agree exactly what is being done: which rooms, which surfaces (walls, ceilings, skirting, doors, radiators, window frames) and what finish. A clear written quote avoids surprises for both sides. If you are still at the budgeting stage, our guide to what a painter and decorator costs in Doncaster gives typical ranges.
Choose your colours and finishes
This is the decision that most often holds jobs up. Buy tester pots, paint large swatches on different walls and look at them in the morning, at midday and in the evening before you commit. Colours can look completely different depending on which way a room faces — our article on paint colours for north-facing rooms explains why. Think about sheen too: matt for a soft look on walls, and something more durable for hallways, kitchens and children's rooms.
Decide who is supplying materials
Check whether paint and wallpaper are included in the quote. If you are buying wallpaper yourself, order it early, get enough rolls from the same batch number and allow extra for pattern matching. Your decorator can tell you how many rolls to buy.
Think about timing
Avoid booking a bedroom repaint the week before guests arrive, or a hallway the day before a big delivery. If a bedroom is being done, plan where everyone will sleep for a night or two.
The days before: clearing the room
This is where you can save the most time — and money.
- Empty shelves, cupboards and surfaces. Books, ornaments, photos and anything breakable should be packed away and moved to another room.
- Take down pictures, mirrors and clocks. Decide whether you want the picture hooks and wall plugs left in place or removed and filled. Put screws in a labelled bag.
- Remove curtains, blinds and poles if the walls or window frames around them are being painted. Ask your decorator if you are not sure.
- Move small furniture out. Chairs, side tables, lamps and rugs are best moved to another room.
- Leave large furniture for the decorator to position. Sofas, beds and wardrobes can usually be pulled into the centre of the room and covered. Agree this in advance.
- Unplug and move electronics. TVs, computers, games consoles and speakers are best moved out of the dust zone.
- Clear a path. Make sure there is clear access from the door to the room, especially up stairs.
Tip: take a quick photo of how things were arranged, especially shelves and gallery walls. Putting everything back is much easier afterwards.
Household practicalities
Pets and children
Wet paint, open tins and dust sheets are a magnet for curious cats, dogs and toddlers. Keep pets in another part of the house or with a friend while the work is going on, and keep little ones out of the room until the paint is dry.
Access, keys and alarms
If you will be at work, agree how the decorator will get in, and share any alarm codes. Let them know if there are rooms that are off-limits.
Parking
Decorators carry ladders, dust sheets and tins, so a parking space close to the door helps. On busy terraced streets or new-build estates, it is worth mentioning where the best spot is.
Water, toilet and a sink
Your decorator will need access to water for cleaning brushes and a toilet. An outside tap or utility sink is ideal if you have one.
Ventilation
Even low-odour, eco-friendly paints dry better with good air flow. Be ready to leave windows open where it is safe, and avoid drying laundry in the room being painted.
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Extra steps for exterior work
If the outside of your house is being painted, there are a few more things to think about:
- Move garden furniture, pots, bins and bikes away from the walls.
- Cut back climbing plants, shrubs and hedges touching the walls, fascias or windows.
- Keep cars off the drive or away from the house if possible.
- Let your neighbours know, particularly if ladders or a tower will be near their boundary.
- Be ready for the date to move if the weather turns — our guide to when to paint a house exterior explains why.
During the job
Once the work has started, the best thing you can do is let the decorator get on with it. Try to keep people out of the room while paint is wet, and check any decisions or changes with them before the next coat goes on. A quick chat at the end of each day is a good way to keep track of progress.
After the decorators leave
- Walk round with your decorator in good light and point out anything you would like touched up.
- Give the paint time. It may feel dry within hours, but it takes longer to fully harden. Be gentle with walls and woodwork for the first couple of weeks, and wait before hanging heavy pictures or pushing furniture back against the walls.
- Keep leftover paint for touch-ups. Label the tins with the room name.
- Ventilate for a day or two to help the paint cure.
You can see the full range of decorating work we carry out on our services page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I move furniture before the decorator comes?
It helps a lot. Empty shelves, cupboards and surfaces, and move small and fragile items out of the room. Large items such as sofas and wardrobes can usually stay and be moved to the middle of the room and covered, but agree this with your decorator beforehand.
Do I need to be at home while the decorators are working?
Not necessarily. Many customers go to work as normal. It is useful to be there at the start to walk through the job and at the end to check the finished work. Agree access arrangements, such as keys and alarm codes, in advance.
Can I stay in the house while it is being painted?
Yes, in most cases. Modern water-based and low-odour eco-friendly paints make living at home during decorating much more comfortable. Keep rooms ventilated while the paint dries, and plan where you will sleep if a bedroom is being done.
Should I fill holes and cracks before the decorator arrives?
There is no need. Filling, sanding and preparation are part of a decorator's job and are normally included in the quote. Just point out any areas you are worried about, such as cracks, damp patches or stains.