DIY for dummies

[Adventuresat40]

We have completely renovated our house over the past few years but everything was done by tradespeople, we haven't lifted a paintbrush (mainly time/ cost benefit - it was more economical for us to both work FT and outsource) and tbh partly because we are not handy people. At all.

The only room that needs to be done now is the hall and stairs. However, the money has run out and we cannot afford to pay a decorator at the moment (our usual one is booked up for months anyway and now charges a ridiculous rate) plus I have some more time available as I have gone PT at work.

The walls were skimmed and a mist coat applied, we shoved some pictures and a mirror up to tide us over but it really needs doing properly now. It is annoying having a lovely house but walking into a messy hall.

Can anyone recommend any you tubers to follow or forums where I can ask basic questions and not be laughed at? I have fixed many things by you tubing 😂 but I don't know where to start with basic DIY and I mean basic - how to fill holes, how to deal with cracks between the skirting and the wall.

I also have two column radiators that I will need to paint behind - how?

I am actually really excited to try to do this and I think I will be fine once I know what to do but starting it feels pretty daunting.

TIA

No help with decorating you tube guides.

How is the radiator plumbed in? If it's flexi pipe you can usually lift off the bracket to paint behind.
If older copper it depends on the rad.
Check the bracket.

Thanks @TheQueef they are copper pipes and the radiators are screwed into the wall on bracket things - I think I could probably loosen the nut and allow the radiator to come forward a couple of inches but I do worry about pulling it off the wall completely

Looking in other rooms I think the decorator used a thin roller but they are the flat radiators and so you can't see behind them anyway.

Cracks between skirting and wall is flexible filler in a tube applied with a metal thing with a handle called a gun.

Radiator if you can’t remove it tape plastic sheeting around it and then use a mini roller behind.

Frog tape is your best friend for edges.

I would do

Prepare/fill walls (squeeze filler or poly fill a with spatula on other cracks)
Sand skirting if needed

Dust sheet the floor. Fabric ones much easier to use than plastic as they stay in place!,

To save taping… do walls first (use brush round edges, rollerin middle).. take care but don’t stress if paint goes on skirting a bit. Remove or tape round sockets/switches to make life easier.

When walls dry tape bottom above skirting, then undercoat and gloss. If you’re using oil based undercoat/gloss buy a brushmate box to keep your brushes in so you don’t have to clean them.

If you have carpet either pull it up when doing skirting or get really wide masking tape, put down at edge and ease under skirting . If you have hard floors tape the edges so you don’t catch them when doing skirting.

In terms of kit suggest you take pics of everything, go to your local decorators merchant (brewers, Johnson’s etc NOT Homebase/b&q) and throw yourself on their mercy!! Don’t skimp on brushes/rollers..cheap ones not nice to use!