Painting & Decorating FAQs
Find answers to common questions about painting and decorating in Surrey, including pricing, preparation, paint selection, project timelines and what to expect during your decorating project. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, please contact HandyCraft Surrey for advice.
Painting & Decorating FAQs
Do you provide painting and decorating services across Surrey?
Yes. HandyCraft Surrey is based in Guildford and carries out painting and decorating projects throughout Surrey. Most of our work is completed locally in Guildford and neighbouring towns such as Godalming, Farnham, Woking, Leatherhead and Weybridge, but we are also happy to travel for the right project.
We regularly work in smaller towns and villages across Surrey, particularly for homeowners looking for a high-quality finish and a reliable service. Whether you need a single room redecorated, several rooms refreshed or a complete home transformation, we bring the same attention to detail, careful preparation and professional finish to every project.
How much does painting and decorating cost in Surrey?
Every project is different, which is why we usually arrange a site visit before providing a quotation. This allows us to assess the condition of the surfaces, understand your goals for the space and introduce ourselves so you can decide whether we’re the right fit for your project.
The cost of decorating is influenced by several factors, including the condition of the walls and woodwork, the number of surfaces being decorated, accessibility, parking arrangements and whether the property is occupied or empty during the works.
When comparing quotations, it is important to understand that not all decorating services are equal. Lower-priced quotations often involve less preparation, reduced protection, outdated equipment and limited dust control. These differences may not be obvious at first, but they can significantly affect the finish, durability and overall experience of the project.
Our focus is on delivering the best possible outcome. We use modern tools, professional dust extraction and meticulous preparation to achieve a high-quality finish while keeping disruption to your home to a minimum. The result is a space that not only looks better on completion but continues to perform and look its best for years to come.
Do you supply the paint or can I provide my own?
Our quotations are typically all-inclusive, including both labour and materials. This allows us to recommend products we trust and accurately calculate the time required to achieve the high standard of finish our clients expect.
Our preferred paint systems are from the Dulux Trade range and Dulux Heritage, which consistently deliver excellent coverage, durability and a premium finish. However, we have experience working with most major paint brands and are happy to use products specified by the client.
Please note that different paint brands can significantly affect the time required to complete a project. If a client requests a product outside of our recommended systems, labour costs may need to be adjusted accordingly.
We will always be honest about the suitability of a product. Some paints simply do not perform well enough to achieve the standard of finish we aim to deliver and, in those cases, we may recommend an alternative that will provide a better and longer-lasting result.
How do you protect my home during a decorating project?
Protecting your home is a key part of every decorating project. Before work begins, we carefully protect flooring, furniture and access routes to minimise disruption and keep your home clean throughout the process.
Depending on the areas being decorated, we protect walkways using specialist floor protection materials, such as hardwood floor protectors or carpet protection film. Within the working area, floors are fully covered and furniture is protected using durable vinyl sheets.
We ask that curtains are removed before work starts, as this helps us achieve the best possible finish while preventing accidental damage.
Cleanliness is important to us. We carry out a daily tidy-up and vacuum the working area at the end of each day. Once the project is complete, we thoroughly vacuum and clean the space, aiming to leave your home as clean and tidy as it was before we arrived.
How long does a painting and decorating project take?
The duration of a painting and decorating project depends on the size of the space, the condition of the surfaces and the scope of work involved. As a guide, a typical bedroom usually takes between 2 and 4 days to prepare and decorate, while a full-house redecoration can take 3 to 4 weeks.
Every quotation includes an estimated timeline, allowing you to plan around the project with confidence. If you have a specific deadline in mind, this should be discussed during the quotation stage so that the project can be planned accordingly.
The most common causes of delays are uncovering underlying issues during preparation, changes to the scope of work, or working in occupied homes where access needs to be coordinated around daily life. Unlike many decorating companies, we are capable of repairing a wide range of issues that may be discovered during preparation. In some cases, what starts as a decorating project can develop into a small refurbishment project, which may affect the original timeline.
In most cases, we complete projects within the agreed timeframe and keep homeowners informed throughout the process if any unexpected issues arise.
Do you repair cracks, dents and damaged walls before painting?
Yes. Surface preparation and minor repairs are an essential part of every decorating project. Before painting, we fill cracks, repair dents, sand imperfections and prepare surfaces to create the best possible foundation for a long-lasting finish.
It is important to understand that paint, wallpaper and previous repairs can sometimes hide underlying issues that are not visible during the quotation stage. While standard surface preparation is included in our decorating prices, repairs to underlying defects are not. The likelihood of additional work is generally much lower when existing paintwork is stable and in good condition. However, visible signs of failure such as peeling paint, water damage, blown plaster or rotten timber can indicate more significant problems beneath the surface.
Older or poorly maintained properties naturally carry a higher risk of uncovering hidden defects during preparation. Where necessary, we can undertake additional repairs such as plasterboard replacement, plastering, rotten wood repairs and other remedial works. These items are priced separately, as they fall outside the scope of a standard decorating project.
Our aim is not simply to apply paint over problems but to create a finish that meets our standards and performs well for years to come. If any underlying issues are discovered, we will discuss the available options and costs with you before proceeding.
Can you help me choose colours and finishes?
Yes. Basic colour guidance is included free of charge as part of every decorating project. Many homeowners have an idea of what they like but appreciate a professional opinion when it comes to choosing colours, coordinating rooms and selecting the right finishes.
We are happy to provide a small number of colour testers for each room to help you see how colours look in different lighting conditions. If a larger number of testers are required, we generally recommend purchasing these directly so we can remain focused on delivering your project efficiently.
For clients looking for a more comprehensive design service, we can also provide mood boards, visualisations and 3D room designs. These services are charged separately based on the time involved, as creating detailed concepts typically requires several hours of design work per room.
Our preferred paint systems are Dulux Trade and Dulux Heritage, both of which offer excellent durability and a high-quality finish. We will recommend products and finishes based on how the room will be used, your style preferences and your budget.
While many clients ask for our opinion, we believe the final decision should always belong to the homeowner. We will happily share our experience and advise if we think a particular colour or finish may not achieve the result you are hoping for, but ultimately we are there to bring your vision to life.
We also help clients choose the most suitable finish for each surface. Current trends often favour matt finishes on walls, with eggshell or satin finishes on woodwork, although the best choice will depend on your personal preferences and how the room is used.
Do I need to move furniture before work starts?
This depends on the size of the room and how much furniture is present. In most cases, furniture does not need to be completely removed from the property, but we do need enough space to work safely and achieve a high-quality finish.
Where possible, furniture can be moved to the centre of the room and fully protected with durable covering sheets while decorating takes place. In larger rooms, we typically only ask homeowners to remove smaller items, personal belongings and loose accessories before work begins.
For single-room projects, we may occasionally require assistance moving particularly heavy furniture. On larger projects, such as full-house redecorations, there are usually multiple tradespeople on site, allowing us to handle most furniture moving without assistance from the homeowner.
Items connected to walls, such as televisions, computers and other electronic equipment, should ideally be disconnected and removed before work starts. Wardrobes and cupboards generally do not need to be emptied unless they need to be moved or decorated internally. In most cases, they can remain in place, be closed and protected during the project.
We strongly recommend removing all valuable, fragile or sentimental items from the working area before work begins. While every care is taken to protect your belongings, removing these items helps minimise risk and allows the project to proceed more efficiently.
What preparation is included before painting?
Preparation is one of the most important parts of any decorating project and has a significant impact on the final result. Before any paint is applied, we carefully protect floors, furniture and surrounding areas using appropriate protection systems to keep your home clean and safe throughout the project.
Our standard preparation process includes sanding surfaces, repairing minor imperfections, filling holes, caulking gaps, stain blocking where required and priming bare surfaces. We also sand between filler applications and paint coats to create a smooth, durable finish.
Every surface is assessed individually, as different materials and conditions require different preparation methods. The goal is always the same: to create the best possible foundation for the final finish.
We believe that preparation should never be rushed. Many decorating issues become visible months after completion because insufficient time was spent preparing the surfaces. By investing time in thorough preparation, we achieve a finish that not only looks better on completion but also remains durable and attractive for years to come.
Is your painting and decorating work guaranteed?
Every project is assessed individually. While we stand behind the quality of our workmanship, it is important to understand that many decorating issues are caused by underlying problems that may not be visible during the quotation stage.
Most decorating projects involve surface preparation and repairs. While these repairs are designed to provide a durable, long-lasting finish, hidden issues such as structural movement, damp, previous poor-quality repairs or DIY work can occasionally affect the performance of the decoration in the future.
Where there is no indication of underlying defects, we would not normally expect any issues to occur after completion. In the rare event that a problem does arise, we will arrange a site visit to assess the situation and discuss the cause with the homeowner.
Our approach is based on fairness and common sense. If a defect is related to our workmanship, we will put it right. If the issue is caused by an underlying problem outside the scope of the original works, we will explain the available options and any associated costs before proceeding.
Should there ever be a disagreement regarding the cause of a defect, an independent third-party opinion can be sought so that a fair and reasonable resolution can be reached as quickly as possible.
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Still Have Questions?
Every property and project is different. If you cannot find the answer you're looking for, contact HandyCraft Surrey for a free consultation. We're happy to discuss painting and decorating, room transformations and home refurbishment projects throughout Surrey.