Time to Decorate?

I am often amazed at how customers don't realise how long things can take when contemplating decorating.  

Here's a little "How To" to get you started: -

(a) removal of wallpaper - with a good steamer this usually takes in the region of 15 minutes per strip; taking that time scale walk around your room counting the number of strips and add another hour to the total (clearing up and general tidying). 

(b) painting a ceiling - using a roller on an extension, average sized room usually takes me around 45 minutes (includes preparation of paint, putting down dust sheets and cutting in to the walls)

(c) gloss painting the skirting boards and architrave (that's the bits around your door) - taking average sized room with 1 door way and if its white on white, around 1 hour.

(d) gloss painting a door (one side only)...remember, only paint one side of the door and leave the other side when you do the hallway.  If its a flat door I find these harder to do than the 6 panelled type.  Flat door - takes me 45 minutes to an hour (usually staggered as you need to do two coats).  Panelled door takes me 30 minutes to an hour depending on how many coats (usually 2-3).

(e) emulsion of walls - again, taking a standard sized room and a light colour (say we are working in white) it would take me around 2 to 4 hours.  However, if the colour you choose is dark then extend this by another 2 hours (cutting in - that's the bit between ceiling and wall and wall and skirting) can take time if you aren't familiar with it.  A good tip is to make sure you use a LARGE brush and load it with paint moving swiftly along the wall.  Practice on newspaper to get the technique.  

Counting up the time will then give you some idea how long it will take.

Remember to account for preparation, breaks and clearing up.  I usually give myself an hour preparation, a half hour break and an hour clearing up.

If you'd like me to prepare a "Room Plan" for you, I can do this for a one off cost of £25.  It will detail everything you need for a successful DIY project and ensure you won't waste time.

Contact Suzanne at rainbowmylife@hotmail.com or call 07702 083 403.