Decorating bedroom - how to move furniture for decorator?

[Mogs43]

I am useless at practical things so please bear with me.

I wanted to get a painter and decorator in but my bedroom has a large bed and wardrobe that were put together in situ. I can remove all the other items (side tables, lamps etc) but don’t have a clue what to do about the bed and wardrobe - they are heavy (walnut range from Heals) and won’t fit through the door even if I could lift them (I can’t). Do I need to pay someone to dismantle them and then put them back together once the work is done? Just wondered how it normally works.

Grateful for any advice. Thank you. Sorry if it’s a really stupid question.

The decorators should be able to move them around and cover them in plastic so they don't get damaged while they work. It's better if you can move them out of the room, but if you can't they can work around them.

Discuss with yr decorator!

They are used to dilemmas like this. He’s the expert. Phone him to ask.

He can help drag stuff into the centre of the room and cover with dust sheets. Or he will drag out far enough to get behind to wield his brushes or hang paper.

I would say it depends on if there is enough space in your room to work around. That's the first thing you need to check with your decorator.
If the answer is no then you may well have to pay someone to take the furniture apart and put it back together again, but that's probably not too tricky for most handymen.

I don't think it's at all a stupid question either, OP. I think this sort of issue is much harder for people who live on their own and/or don't have a lot of family or friends to ask for help... I know I've been put off decorating/replacing carpets etc. before, because of this.

I have some furniture sliders. They are just plastic discs with foam on. You pop one under each leg and away you go.

These ones I think
DIY Doctor - The Original Deluxe Super Sliders - 8 Pcs Value Pack Furniture Sliders for Carpet - Furniture Movers - Furniture Sliders for Heavy Items on Carpet - Furniture Sliders for Wooden Floors https://amzn.eu/d/cVw4OBC

I have finally received a quote from a decorator (£800 for what he estimates will be two days of wallpapering: one bedroom ). Is that reasonable? I am in London .

He has said the room needs clearing before he arrives (can’t help) and suggested that I get a handy man and also ask him to take down and then put back the electric radiator. He said it will get a smoother finish for wall paper. I’ve never done this before and wondered what you think. Thank you in advance for any advice.

I did try to get three quotes but so many weren’t interested in a small job (one bedroom).

I also live in London and would not expect to pay £400 per day for wallpapering. I usually expect to pay no more than £200 per day for plastering/wallpapering/painting and I would expect any of those trades to prepare a room as part of the job. Moving and covering furniture and carpets definitely. And taking a radiator off the wall shouldn't be beyond an experienced trade.

Have you tried a local forum - like an online forum for your postcode? I've found good trades like that. Or a neighbourhood WhatsApp group for recommendations.

Is that just for the Labour or for the walllpaper and paste etc too? I would say two days is about right, however I would of expected him to move stuff but I guess it depends on the tradesman.

I’m in London & pay nowhere near that, I empty the wardrobes (so they can be shifted about easier) remove the side tables & the rest he moves about so they he can get in behind the furniture, he is having you on.

Sorry he sounds too expensive and not very helpful! Get a couple more quotes and don’t rush into anything.

My decorators move furniture into the middle of the room and cover it, that's what I'd expect 🤷‍♀️

Where abouts in London are you? If you're near me, I'll PM you the details of my decorators - two guys working together. They happily move furniture and are very good.

Thank you very much for your helpful replies. I am grateful.

I live in south London (I got his details from the East Dulwich forum), He was recommended on there.

To be honest all the faff about moving the furniture and his request that I remove the radiator (it’s an electric one so i will need to get all the wires secured etc ) is putting me off. It’s just that I have approached several other decorators and they haven’t even wanted to quote. Would pay that money if he was bit more helpful about the furniture. I don’t mind moving side table etc but the wardrobe and bed will be difficult on my own so more expense of getting a handyman to dismantle and then put back together again.

if anyone has any recommendations and is near me that would be amazing. Thank you very much indeed (but please don’t worry if I’m too far away).

Sorry should have said the price quoted was for the labour. I’ve already bought the wallpaper (Cole &Son) , paint and paste. I I don’t think it really needs much prep work : built in 2008 (walls are smooth) . It’s a tiny modern flat by the river.

If you’ve already paid for the materials his quote is a piss take quite frankly. Keep looking and trying to get someone else. Ask around at work, I’ve often had recommendations from work colleagues.

OP, I'm not far from you. If you want to DM me, I will pass on a name or two.

Sounds very dear to me, but in our area (North East) the tradespeople would definitely expect the householder to prepare the room/ move all furniture out in advance themselves. That would be the norm.

Thanks for all your replies.

I have a handyman coming on Thursday to dismantle the wardrobe and bed (£150 to dismantle and £170 to reassemble: gulp). The man doing the wallpaper (on Tuesday) also wants me to remove the electric radiator. I phoned several electricians and the earliest they can do is mid February (after he has been ). So I have decided to give it a go (now think I was crazy to do so): just going to try and remove the radiator , make the electric supply safe for the decorator and then when the electrician is back from his holidays ask him to put in a socket.

Today I managed to get the radiator off the wall and bought some Pollyfilla to fill the holes where the screws had been and a junction box to put the wires in (obviously after I have turned all the electrics off : a job for tomorrow).

Well the Polyfilla has been a disaster. I have watched the YouTube videos but all I seem to have done is made mess. For some reason the polyfilla just seams to soak Into the holes. So I add another layer, leave it a couple of hours and that sinks in. It’s now really thick but with holes (please see photo attached by way of example). What am I doing wrong?

I am sorry for asking what are probably really obvious questions . I feel like Mr Bean….It would be hilarious if I hadn’t been doing this all day. I am useless at these kind of things!! Sorry.

Forgot the photo: doh!

Try sanding it with fine sandpaper where it’s lumpy & thick do that a few times & it should look a lot better then you could try reapplying a very small amount of polyfilla into the holes wait for it to dry resand & hopefully will be smoother.