In thinking that this decorator is completely incompetent?

[Cluelesswhispers]

I have a decorator over at the moment to sort out my hallway in an old property. Due to a number of imperfections on the walls, the decorator suggested the best approach would be to line the walls with lining paper before painting. He started work today and I notice there are some visible gaps in the lining paper he’s applied, these are inconsistent e.g. the paper is either in line in some places and gaps in others. I’m concerned that this is surely going to leave a noticeable gap when painted over?! In some places there’s a gap between the wall and the ceiling too, like the paper has been cut too short.

In addition, some of the lining paper is already coming away from the walls, which doesn’t seem right. What’s worse, I have some woodwork on the wall which the decorator has started to line over as well?! I did not request this (we agreed the woodwork would be painted) and surely you aren’t supposed to stick lining paper on woodwork?!

Seriously concerned at this stage but feeling rather clueless as a single woman with no DIY knowledge. I raised my concerns with the owner of the decorating company and he basically laughed off my concerns and assured me the work would be great. I’m only one day in to the works so now would be a good time to terminate the work and find someone else, but at the same time I have no real decorative knowledge so wanted to double check I’m not overreacting here.

That doesn’t sound right at all. Decorating is all in the prep and it spinach like they are rushing the lining.

I personally don’t line but full and sand obvious holes. ‘Textured ’ walls are part and parcel of an old house.

have you paid anything upfront and are you desperate for it to be done?

if not I’d tell them to rectify or you’ll look elsewhere

Spinach !!!!! Sounds like….

I wouldn't be happy with that at all! And while I've had Walls that had to be lined I have never seen a professional decorator a) not butt the edges up properly b) cut the paper short or c) paper over the woodwork. I mean wtf? Even my DH who is so bad at DIY that he might do a) and b) if left alone to do it, wouldn't do c)!

The paper shouldn’t be coming away from the walls, or cut too short at the ceiling, or stuck to the woodwork! That sounds so slapdash.

the gaps between the papers should be lightly filled and sanded back so after painting there’s no clue the room is lined. Proceed with caution.

Oh no no no OP that’s really poor. Def swerve using lining paper if you can, far better to prep the walls themselves and paint wherever poss.

If you do need lining paper, it should be pretty seamless, absolutely no visible gaps!

In our old flat, I lined the walls in the bedroom as when we took out the (poorly designed) fitted wardrobe, it uncovered about 20 drilled holes of varying sizes all over the place! It should line up, no gaps, and up to the dado/picture rail, not over.

As PP said, decorating is all in the preparation. The lining paper will shrink back slightly when the paste is fully dry, so if there's a slight gap now, it'll be more noticeable in a couple of days.

Thanks so much everyone, exactly as I thought :(

Would it be wrong of me to tell them not to come back and refuse to pay anything? They have only done one day of work so far, lining not completed let alone painting

I've used lining paper on the walls of an Edwardian house, which were not completely true and I still managed to match the paper with no noticeable gaps. If there is a gap between the paper and the ceiling and it's already coming off then it's not been done even half decently. I managed a good job and the paper still looked good 18 years later and I'm not a professional decorator, so based on that, I would bin him now and look for someone else, or have a go yourself.

I think you would have to pay him for his time so far. Do you know what his day/hour rate is, or did they quote for the completed job?

Tell them your not happy and you want it rectifying before they continue

No you don't put lining paper over wood you jut paint the wood

Have you paid any upfront?

Take pictures showing the exact issues you have emailed to them start a paper trail its not the job you asked for

I’ve not paid any money up front and if anything, they are costing me in having to get this work rectified. Planning to ask the decorator not to return tomorrow.

I would tell the guy in charge that you talked to before that you want him to come and look at it. And it needs to be made right, for no extra cost, or you will hire someone else.