How to Choose a Painter & Decorator in London: 15-Point Checklist

How to Choose a Painter and Decorator in London: 15-Point Checklist

Choosing a painter and decorator for your London home is one of the most consequential decisions you will make about your property's appearance and value. A skilled decorator transforms spaces, protects surfaces, and delivers a finish that brings daily satisfaction. A poor one wastes your money, damages your property, and creates frustration that can persist for years.

London's decorating market is vast and varied. It ranges from sole traders offering basic repainting to specialist firms handling heritage conservation on Grade I listed buildings. It includes experienced master craftsmen and recently arrived workers with minimal training. Prices vary enormously, and the most expensive option is not always the best — nor is the cheapest always the worst value.

This 15-point checklist will help you navigate the market and choose a decorator who will deliver excellent results for your specific project.

The 15-Point Checklist

1. Relevant Experience

The most important qualification is experience relevant to your project. A decorator who excels at spray-finishing new-build apartments may not be the right choice for painting the cornicing in a Georgian townhouse. Conversely, a heritage specialist may be overqualified (and overpriced) for a straightforward rental property turnaround.

Questions to ask:

How many projects similar to mine have you completed?
Can you describe the specific challenges of my type of property?
Do you have experience with the paint brands and finishes I want to use?

2. Portfolio and References

Any reputable decorator will be able to show you examples of previous work:

Photographs of completed projects, preferably including before-and-after images
Client references — names and contact details of previous clients willing to speak about their experience
Reviews on platforms such as Checkatrade, Trustpilot, MyBuilder, or Google

What to look for in references:

Did the decorator complete the work on time and on budget?
Was the quality of finish satisfactory?
How was communication throughout the project?
Were any problems handled professionally?
Would they use the decorator again?

3. Insurance

Adequate insurance is non-negotiable. A decorator working in your home should carry:

Public liability insurance: minimum two million pounds, preferably five million. This covers damage to your property and injuries to third parties caused by the decorator's work
Employer's liability insurance: if the decorator employs anyone else, this is a legal requirement
Professional indemnity insurance: provides cover for faulty workmanship

Ask to see certificates — not just verbal confirmation. Reputable decorators will provide copies willingly.

4. Trade Body Membership

Membership of a recognised trade body indicates a commitment to professional standards:

Painting and Decorating Association (PDA): the principal UK trade body for the industry. Members must demonstrate competence and adhere to a code of practice
The Guild of Master Craftsmen: members are vetted for quality of workmanship
Federation of Master Builders: relevant for decorators who also undertake building work
TrustMark: a government-endorsed quality scheme

Trade body membership is not a guarantee of quality, but it provides a baseline assurance and a complaints process if things go wrong.

5. Detailed Written Quotation

A professional quotation should be detailed and transparent:

It should include:

A clear description of the work to be carried out, room by room or area by area
Specification of preparation work — filling, sanding, priming, stripping
Paint brands and products to be used, including the number of coats
Any exclusions — items not included in the price
The total cost, including VAT if applicable
An estimated start date and duration
Payment terms — a schedule of payments linked to progress milestones

Red flags:

A quote given over the phone without visiting the property
A single-line quote with no detail ("painting throughout — three thousand pounds")
Verbal-only quotes with nothing in writing
Requests for full payment upfront

6. Transparent Pricing

Understanding how decorators price their work helps you assess value:

Day rate: some decorators charge a daily rate (typically 200 to 400 pounds per day in central London for a skilled decorator). This is transparent but offers no cost certainty
Fixed price: a total price for the complete project. Provides cost certainty but requires a thorough specification to avoid disputes about scope
Price per room: a simplified fixed-price approach. Ensure the price includes all preparation, paint, and woodwork, not just wall painting

What affects price:

The quality of paint specified (Farrow & Ball costs two to three times more than standard trade paint)
The extent of preparation required (a well-maintained property costs less to repaint than one with significant damage)
The height and accessibility of spaces (scaffolding, tall ladders)
The complexity of the work (intricate cornicing vs. flat walls)
London location — central London decorators typically charge more than those in outer boroughs

7. Clear Preparation Standards

Preparation is the foundation of any good paint job. A decorator's approach to preparation reveals their professionalism:

Ask specifically:

Will you fill all holes and cracks?
Will you sand between coats?
How will you protect floors, furniture, and fixtures?
Will you caulk gaps between walls and woodwork?
How do you handle existing damage or defects?

The answer should be specific and confident. Vague responses ("we'll see what's needed") suggest a decorator who cuts corners.

8. Paint Knowledge

A good decorator should be able to discuss paint brands, products, and finishes knowledgeably:

Do they understand the differences between matt, eggshell, and satin finishes?
Can they advise on the best paint for your specific surfaces?
Do they have experience with the premium paint brands (Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Benjamin Moore)?
Can they explain why certain products are recommended for certain applications?

A decorator who only works with one brand or cannot explain their product recommendations may lack the breadth of experience you need.

9. Health and Safety Awareness

Professional decorators should demonstrate awareness of health and safety:

Use of low-VOC products where appropriate, particularly in occupied properties
Proper ventilation during painting
Safe working at height — appropriate ladders, tower scaffolds, or platform steps
Dust management during preparation
Proper handling of any lead paint in period properties (a legal requirement)
CSCS cards for work on commercial or construction sites

10. Tidiness and Respect for Your Property

This is often the difference between a good experience and a frustrating one:

How will they protect your floors, furniture, and fixtures?
Will they clean up at the end of each day or leave mess throughout the project?
How will they manage waste — paint tins, dust sheets, packaging?
Will they respect your home — removing shoes, being careful with doors and surfaces?

Ask previous clients specifically about tidiness and respect for property. It is one of the most common areas of complaint about decorators.

11. Communication and Reliability

Effective communication prevents misunderstandings:

Do they respond promptly to calls, emails, and messages?
Are they clear about their availability and schedule?
Will they notify you in advance of any delays or changes?
Do they have a single point of contact for your project?
Will they provide regular progress updates?

A warning sign: if a decorator is difficult to reach during the quotation stage, they will likely be difficult to reach during the project.

12. Warranty or Guarantee

Professional decorators should stand behind their work:

A minimum twelve-month guarantee against defects in workmanship is standard
Some decorators offer longer guarantees — up to five years
The guarantee should cover peeling, flaking, cracking, or other failures attributable to the decorator's work (not normal wear and tear)
Get the guarantee in writing as part of the contract

13. Flexibility and Problem-Solving

Every decorating project encounters unexpected issues — hidden damage, unforeseen colour problems, access difficulties. A good decorator:

Approaches problems calmly and constructively
Communicates issues promptly and proposes solutions
Does not simply proceed with substandard work to save time
Is willing to redo work that does not meet the agreed standard

14. Environmental Responsibility

Increasingly important to London homeowners:

Use of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints where possible
Proper disposal of paint waste (not down drains)
Recycling of paint tins and packaging
Minimising waste through accurate estimating
Willingness to use eco-friendly products like Earthborn, Edward Bulmer, or Graphenstone

15. The Right Fit

Beyond technical competence, the working relationship matters:

Are they easy to communicate with?
Do they listen to your preferences and concerns?
Do you feel comfortable having them in your home?
Do they seem genuinely interested in delivering a good result, or just in completing the job?
Is there a personality match — will you work well together over the duration of the project?

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong during the quotation process, it is unlikely to improve during the project.

How Many Quotes Should You Get?

Three quotations is the conventional advice, and it remains reasonable. However:

Two is sometimes sufficient if both decorators are well-recommended and their quotes are comparable
More than three creates diminishing returns and delays your project
The cheapest quote is rarely the best choice — and the most expensive is not automatically the best either
Compare like with like — ensure all quotations are based on the same specification

Red Flags to Watch For

Be wary of decorators who:

Cannot or will not provide proof of insurance
Offer suspiciously low prices (they may be planning to cut corners on preparation, use cheap paint, or add costs during the project)
Request full payment upfront
Have no references or portfolio
Are vague about the specification, timeline, or products
Pressure you into an immediate decision
Cannot explain their approach to preparation
Badmouth other decorators or trades (a sign of unprofessionalism)

Conclusion

Choosing the right painter and decorator is an investment of time that pays dividends in the quality of your home's finish, the smoothness of the project experience, and the longevity of the results. London has many excellent decorators, and by working through this checklist systematically, you can identify the one who is the best match for your specific project, property, and expectations.