Client FAQ
Questions clients ask their decorators.
Use my Contact Page to ask any question(s) you don’t see answered below. I have no secrets about decorating.
How long have you been in the trade?
I have been in the trade for 36 years now. Initially I began in site work sub-contracting. Work projects ranged from new build homes, museums, offices, schools, embassies, public houses, women’s refuges, one Police Station (refurb of offices) etc. In 2003 I began to concentrate on the domestic decorating market, though I still take on small commercial projects for builders.
What areas do you cover?
The majority of my work covers Kent. Through my work in hand painted kitchens, I do occasionally nip into surrounding areas venturing into Sussex and Essex and South London for clients. I also get a lot of decorating in Medway and Swale areas. Also in Thanet, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Herne Bay, Whitstable, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Dartford, Wadhurst, Ashford and Bromley to give you an idea.
I will only work in the London area nowadays if I can park on your drive for the duration of the work. Otherwise, it becomes costly in parking and that cost gets passed onto you, my client.
Do you offer a guarantee?
All of my work is guaranteed and carried out according to industry standards or higher i.e. against failures due to defective workmanship for a period of six months from the date of completion of the work.
Do you provide a written quote or estimate?
Always! It is clearly written out in detail how I will be carrying out the work for you and why. Even down to what materials are being used and why.
This can be a typed out hard copy or, if it is more convenient for you, I can send you the details by email as a PDF file.
How soon can you start?
I cannot tell a fib! Very rarely can I undertake a new project straight away unless I have a cancellation. Dependant on the project I am currently on and what is booked up in the diary it could be anywhere from two weeks to two months, maybe slightly longer. In my experience and that of other pro decorators I know. It is only the cowboys who say “I can start tomorrow, missus!”
So please, please call me sooner rather than later when you find yourself in the decorating zone saying – “shall we get that room decorated by a professional.”
Do you carry up to date public liability insurance?
Yes I do. At the bottom of my homepage you will see a Simply Business logo showing my £5 million cover. Overkill for some homes, but I do carry out work in high end homes where that sort of liability insurance is a wise thing to have – you never know. Also, I do carry out some small commercial work where it is needed.
Are you a member of a trade association?
I was a proud member of the Painting and Decorating Association since the end of 2004.
In June 2015, I decided to give them a break as I had only ever gained two small projects from being a member and I couldn’t carry them out as I was too busy anyway. I may rejoin in the future, who knows?!
Can you work “out of hours” for a shop/office/surgery project?
Yes I can. I always try and work to your schedule if at all possible.
How do you take care of dust?
I use polythene sheeting on a roll to cover all your furniture and then lay my clean dustsheets over that. Doubly protect your furniture.
For your carpets and hard flooring I have a choice of using some nice heavy duty Bolton Twill Dustsheets or I have a range of adhesive plastic floor protection on a roll at my disposal. This can be used on carpet, lino, wood floors and windows etc.
On top of that detailed protection, when sanding I use a range of mechanical methods using my Mirka and Festool sanders. All of which are connected to my Festool dust extraction unit to keep dust levels to an absolute minimum.
Are you trustworthy and can you be left alone in my home?
Of course, I am bound to say yes to that, aren’t I?! Many of my clients have been leaving me to work in their homes alone for many years, all whilst they are at work or away on holidays. I can provide client references on request if you require. These clients mentioned range from normal folks such as myself to the likes of financial actuaries, scientists to police officers. It’s a long list to where I have worked unaccompanied over the years.
_________________________________
Should you have any further questions you may like to ask please do get in touch via my
Contact Form below, this is where you will be able to email me. Or use any one of my phone numbers above to get in touch.
