How to Choose a Painter and Decorator in Edinburgh
A good painter and decorator can make a flat feel new and protect your house for years. A poor one can leave you with drips, paint on the carpet and windows painted shut. Here's what to check before you hire anyone in Edinburgh, including us.
1. Check they're insured
Any decorator working in your home should have public liability insurance, and they should be happy to show you the certificate. This matters even more for tenement stairs, exterior work and anything involving ladders or scaffolding.
2. Read real reviews
Look at Google reviews, not just quotes on the decorator's own website. Look for comments about the things that matter day to day: turning up on time, protecting floors, tidying up, and finishing when they said they would. Recent reviews tell you more than old ones.
3. Get a written quote after a proper visit
A painter should see the job before pricing it. A good quote sets out:
which rooms or surfaces are included
what preparation and repairs are included
the paint and finish to be used
the number of coats
what isn't included.
Be wary of a price given over the phone for a whole flat or house. Our guide to what affects the cost of painting explains why.
4. Ask how they prepare surfaces
Preparation is most of the job and the main reason finishes last. Ask how they'll deal with cracks, flaking paint, old plaster, bare timber and stains. If the answer is "we'll just give it two coats", keep looking.
5. Choose someone who knows Edinburgh's older buildings
Much of Edinburgh's housing is tenements, Georgian and Victorian terraces and villas. These have lime plaster, cornicing, panelled doors and sash and case windows. They need different preparation and often breathable paints. Ask whether the decorator regularly works on sash and case windows and period homes. For a shared stair, ask how they'll keep it usable for neighbours: see tenement stair painting.
6. Ask which paints they use
A professional should be able to tell you what paint they plan to use and why, such as a washable finish for a hall, a moisture-resistant one for a bathroom, or exterior-grade paint for windows. Ask about low-VOC options if that matters to you. See the paints and products we use.
7. Agree timescale and payment terms up front
Ask when they can start, roughly how long the job will take, how you pay, and whether a deposit is needed. A good decorator will also tell you what happens if they find hidden damage once work begins.
Questions to ask before you book
Are you insured, and can I see the certificate?
Will you be doing the work yourself, or sending someone else?
What preparation is included in the quote?
What paint and finish will you use?
How will you protect my floors and furniture?
When can you start, and how long will it take?
How do I pay?
Is there a guarantee?
Warning signs
No written quote, or a quote with no detail.
Pressure to decide on the spot, or a large cash payment up front.
No reviews, or reviews you can't find anywhere except their own site.
Vague answers about preparation or paint.
How we work at Edinburgh Painting Specialists
We're a small, family-run business.
Quotes: free and no-obligation, with a written quote after a visit and no hidden costs.
Insurance: fully insured, with public liability insurance up to £5 million, and we're happy to show our documents.
On the job: we protect floors and furniture and tidy up every day.
Guarantee: a satisfaction guarantee, plus the manufacturer's warranty on materials.
Reviews: we're rated 5.0 on Google.
See our services or some before-and-after projects.
Need a hand? Edinburgh Painting Specialists is a family-run painting and decorating business. Call or text us on 07514 665726 or get a free quote.
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