Price is undoubtedly a significant factor when choosing a service provider. However, it should not be a deciding one. If you are planning a restoration in the nearest future, read how to prepare yourself for it.
With so many painting and decorating companies offering their services on the market, it is challenging to make a final choice - particularly in big cities like London, where the variety is really broad. Especially if you are contracting such service providers for the first time, conducting research, and defining your priorities is not easy at all. A common solution is to trust recommendations - but not everyone has access to them.
In such cases, the clients often use the price as the main criteria to select the company. Such an approach is, unfortunately, a dead end. Of course - some companies offer high-quality services at an affordable price. However, it is not a rule. You may end up paying little for the painting and repaint the space just a year later because of the low quality, spending more in the end. That is why, instead of focusing on this variable, take varied factors into account. What can you expect from dependable painters in London?
#1 Transparent approach to cooperation
It is one of the most important aspects from your perspective since it determines your level of control over the entire process. Even if the contractor has the most advanced tools and skills, you cannot expect great results without a transparent approach to communication. You can evaluate it before the project begins. A dependable contractor will provide you with a quote and consult the schedule of works with you.
Remember - it is ok to require the team to keep you up to date at each project stage. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the planned works, the usage of materials, their prices, and so on. It is actually them who should make sure that you are on the same page.
#2 Prevention and cleanliness
If you have ever painted a room on your own, you know very well that things can get messy. It is easy to make the furniture and floor dirty regardless of the equipment and materials you are using. The painters and decorators often have their tricks to avoid that, but they also fail sometimes.
However, as a client, you can expect cleanliness from your contractor - and if they make the space dirty, you should expect them to remove the damage or compensate it financially. Reliable painters and decorators always use protective elements such as foil to cover the furniture and accessories if they stay in the room. They should also use masking tapes to avoid covering the fugues and other elements with paint.
#3 Responsiveness
A reliable painting and decorating agency should not make you wait for too long for a quote, even if they are busy. The best contractors invest their time and funds in good customer service - that is the proof of their professionalism and engagement.
Thus, you should not wait more than a day for a response after sending your query. Different contact options are also a plus. If the company's available under the phone, e-mail, WhatsApp, and social media, you can be sure that there will be no communication problems. You should be able to stay in touch with each member of the painting and decorating team in the case somebody does not appear or the schedule changes.
#4 Warranty
Providing the client with a warranty has already become a standard in the painting and decorating industry. If you want to verify the company's reliability, this is the first thing you should question. A dependable contractor will provide you with at least a 6-months warranty. If you notice any issues during this period, you will be entitled to a refund. The company may also offer you another round of painting and decorating works. The problems covered by the warranty usually include cracks, cavities, bulges, peeling paint, and significantly changing the colour of the paint.
A good painting and decorating company should fulfil all these criteria. If you verify your potential contractor in terms of the aspects listed above, you will most likely end up with successful cooperation!
