Would you expect a decorator to sand the walls down before painting and wallpapering?

[ButtercreamBaker]

I have a decorator coming to do a few walls in different rooms next week. I'd expect a professional to prepare the walls properly before beginning work, but this quote is a lot cheaper than others I've seen at £80 per wall so I'm not sure what to expect.

I normally do the decorating myself when my health is good, so I have all the basic tools to prep the walls myself if needs be. What would you expect?

Also, how much extra would you expect to be charged for woodwork?

Eh no. If I wanted that I’d ask for it and I’d then be quoted for it. And a lot extra. A lot.

I would he they were a professional decorator rather than just a jobbing handyman who reckons they can slap some paint on! Worth checking though

No I’ve had my house decorated and this is something you discuss if it’s require and then it’s quoted for. No decorator comes in and sands your walls down as standard practice, not for 80 quid a wall!

How long has he said the job will take?

If the quote is a lot cheaper than others then there's a good chance he's not going to be offering the same preperation as other decorators. Especially if he's more of a handyman / odd job person rather than a decorator.

I would, but I would specifically be looking for professional decorators where this was part of their normal working practice. My preference would be for those that offer dustless sanding too, it makes a huge difference in the dust and disruption outside the decorated areas in the house.

As a previous poster said, there is a difference between professional decorators and general handymen/contractors that offer painting services. So it depends on your budget and what quality of finish you are happy with.

Just be specific in your request for a quote on exactly what you want.

I wouldn’t have expected a decorator to do this but one I had a year ago said he always prepped walls by sanding. He did a great job in 2 days of solid work and left everything very tidy. £400 for a room around 3 by 3.5 meters and that included all woodwork and ceiling and walls. I had to buy 5L of emulsion in the colour I wanted, and he provided white gloss and emulsion for the woodwork/ceiling. I’d expect to pay more now with cost of living going up.

This is my thinking. His facebook page definitely looks like the latter, but I'm really struggling to find anyone else in my area at the moment and his work does look really good!

Yes

He hasn't said. He was giving short, one word replies so I didn't want to drag the conversation on for even longer by asking lots of questions!

Definitely a lot cheaper than the professional decorator that I'd messaged who was charging £600 to paint my stairs wall and tiny landing, but he couldn't do any wallpapering due to an operation apparently. This guy's work seems good enough though, and I can always redo it next year once I'm feeling better if I happen to have any issues.

That's a brilliant deal! Not in Manchester are you? Haha

No - other side of the country. sorry! 😁

I think they would only sand down woodwork to be painted?

I can recommend a great painter/decorator in Greater Manchester if you're interested OP?

www.mcshannondecorator.co.uk/