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Engaging a professional for decoration or building work is a significant decision and investment. Poor workmanship, unreliable contractors, or miscommunication creates stress and wasted money. Taking time to choose carefully prevents problems and ensures quality work at reasonable cost.
Qualifications and Credentials
Check that contractors hold relevant qualifications and memberships. For painters and decorators, FESPA (Finishing & Decorating Association) membership indicates professional standing. Building work should involve professionals registered with appropriate bodies (NHBC, LABC, or similar, depending on work type). Insurance—public liability and, for building work, indemnity insurance—protects you if something goes wrong.
References and Previous Work
Ask contractors for references and, if possible, examples of previous work. Contact references directly and ask specific questions: Did work complete on time and budget? Were there problems? How did the contractor handle issues? Visiting completed projects lets you assess workmanship quality directly.
Detailed Quotations
Obtain quotations from multiple contractors, but don't select solely on price. A significantly cheaper quote may indicate corners being cut. Quotations should specify exactly what's included: materials, labour, preparation (which significantly affects results), disposal of old materials, and timescale. Vague quotations create scope for disputes.
Communication and Professionalism
How contractors communicate during quoting reflects how they'll communicate during work. Professionals respond to queries promptly, explain what they'll do and why, and discuss any problems honestly. Contractors who seem evasive or dismissive of your concerns probably won't improve once work begins.
Contracts and Agreements
For work beyond simple decoration, written contracts protect both parties. Contracts should specify scope of work, timescale, payment terms, and what happens if problems arise. Never pay in full upfront; staged payments tied to completed work protect you. Final payment should only release after you've inspected and approved work.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels wrong—a contractor's evasiveness, pressure to decide quickly, reluctance to provide references—trust that instinct. There are professional, reliable contractors; choosing one takes time but prevents costly mistakes.