Local painters and decorators are a joy to work with. Very few people regret these collaborations when they go about them correctly.
Of course, some people would rather not try to work with painters and decorators. They may think they can do the job themselves or perhaps even assume these professionals are busy given how in demand they are these days. Nevertheless, these aren’t always good enough reasons to pass on the opportunity to work with local experts on decorating.
So, what are the main great reasons to work with local painters and decorators? Let’s unpack this train of thought in more detail below.
They’re Easy to Find
As mentioned above, painters and decorators are in demand. However, that shouldn’t be off-putting, as these professionals are easy to find today.
Fortunately, near you there are painters and decorators that can be found through job posting sites. Post your job, rummage through responses from tradespeople, and decide which professionals most appeal to you and make contact. They’ve all been vetted and reviewed, and you can browse their work histories to ensure you’re working with a reputable service.
The great thing about these types of services is that both parties must reach out here. You’re putting feelers out for work you need to be completed, but painters and decorators near you are also reaching out and actively looking for work. It creates a sense of equal footing, rather than the customer just strolling into the premises and hoping the business is what they’re looking for or that they have time in their schedule.
Transparency provides many assurances too. Many people just rely on positive word of mouth from friends and family when using a local service, and it doesn’t always work out for the best. With these digital landscapes, you can dig deeper, giving you more certainty around your decisions.
Receiving Loved One’s Recommendations
We did say that it’s not for the best to rely solely on loved ones’ recommendations regarding local painters and decorators. Nevertheless, they can still have their uses if you respond proportionately to them.
It can be a good idea to ask friends and family what they think of certain painters and decorators. They may have worked with local services before and provided detailed anecdotes of their working relationship. Patiently listen, compare notes with others, and see what can be learned.
Perhaps you could also visit the loved one’s abode to see the completed work that was done. That way, you can gauge how well the local painters and decorators performed the job. Remember, some painting and decorating work looks better online than in person (even though you should still look at digital references). A chance to see things up close and in person should never be passed up!
Moreover, it’s not just about who they recommend working with but also who they insist you don’t work with. If they’ve had a bad experience before, rest assured they’ll remember who is responsible for it and caution you against working with them. Those lifelines can be a real time and money saver.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes
It’s true that some people can do painting and decorating jobs themselves. That said, that doesn’t mean one always should, especially if one’s approach is essentially muddling through with trial and error tendencies.
Several things could go wrong here (that a local painter and decorator could otherwise prevent). They include:
- Choosing the wrong paint types – There are stark differences between glossy and matte textures. Moreover, it’s been reported that some paint colours can hurt the value of the property, so a professional service will be able to advise you on styling things well.
- Forgetting to prep – If you don’t use drop cloths, you can accidentally get paint into furniture and carpets, effectively ruining them. You may also forget to remove things like switch covers and flecking paint onto those too. The walls also need to be cleaned.
- Only using one coat of paint – Depending on the boldness of the colours beneath, you may need several coats.
- Not buying precise amounts – You may use old and faulty paint equipment or one tin of paint when you need more. In those situations, you’ll have to go back and forth and potentially end up overcompensating and buying more of what you need.
So, as you can see, there are plenty of costly mistakes in painting and decorating. It’s not just a case of waving a brush around and hoping for the best. Many of these oversights can lead to further costly mistakes, too. Still, a professional service will have mitigating measures in place, know what they’re doing, and perform the job as efficiently as possible.
Supporting Local Business
No business owner would likely want charity from you. However, they would undoubtedly appreciate your business if you could keep them busy and working as part of a good deal.
At the end of 2022, Brighton & Hove City Council called on the government to better support local businesses, concurring with verdicts that not enough is being done. While not one person can fix all these problems, offering your custom to local painters and decorators may go a long way for some firms.
We did say that painting and decorating services were in demand, so things could probably be worse for some of them. That said, the cost of living is increasing, and the local economy needs to be propped up sufficiently. Working with any nearby service can keep people at work and unite the community to support one another. If you work with them enough (people like landlords and business owners sometimes do), they may offer things like discounts as thanks for your custom. All subsequent dealings can be wholesome!
It’s not just about the local painters and decorators themselves, too. You should also remember those they work with; suppliers, marketers, recruitment firms, anyone overseeing larger projects, etc. Helping one helps all!
Eco-Friendly Policies
Local painters and decorators will care about their communities. They’ll take their responsibilities seriously and likely invest in eco-friendly policies.
We’ve already mentioned that painters and decorators can work with many people. Maybe they’ve partnered with those who have similar green values, as some will supply things like eco-friendly wallpapers and paints. So, once again, your custom can facilitate wider influence and positive effects.
It can be almost impossible to avoid using single-use plastic sheeting when painting and decorating. However, local painters and decorators with sustainable goals will use biodegradable variations of these products rather than just assuming their hands are tied. These products will rot and be fed back into the earth rather than become harmful pollutants.
These entities will also likely adhere to basic recycling measures too. Remember, eco-friendliness is a selling point for many firms today, especially those in and around labour markets. Not only do you have a chance to spruce up your property, but you also have an opportunity to give back to the planet you’re living on!
Conclusion
Local painters and decorators can be a godsend in some situations. They can save you time and money and help you contribute positively to wider society and the environment. After all, it’s a time when people must come through for each other and work and trade more responsibly. Try not to trivialise your place in that process, and view your painting and decorating needs as a chance to do more good for yourself and others.