A few useful things to know

A brief describes what you would like to achieve; a specification explains what will actually be done to the surfaces. For a premium decorating project, the distinction is important. Two rooms can have identical dimensions yet require very different levels of filling, sanding, stain treatment, access and joinery preparation. A useful quotation should identify the proposed work and any items that are excluded.

Photographs, plans, material schedules and an explanation of the intended appearance all help to develop that specification. Older or unusually detailed buildings may need a closer inspection before firm decisions are made.

The time needed is determined not only by the number of square metres but by the condition of the substrate and the decorative system. Repairs may need to dry, primers may have recoat intervals and newly painted timber can require care while coatings achieve their final performance. A project programme should leave room for those requirements instead of relying on the shortest theoretical coating time.

This is particularly relevant for kitchens, doors, staircases and operational commercial premises where surfaces may be used heavily soon after completion. The relevant manufacturer’s instructions should guide the advice provided at handover.

A country house, hotel or multi-room commercial fit-out may be most efficiently approached as a coordinated programme. Discuss which areas must remain accessible, what other trades are working and which dates genuinely matter. Longer-distance projects may need travel and scheduling considerations included from the start.

You can use the contact form to send a broad outline even if all finishes have not yet been selected. We can then identify the information needed to consider the next stage.