Painting and decorating, inside and out in Ireland

Interior painting ranges from a quick refresh of sound walls to a full redecoration with cracks raked out, new lining paper and every door and skirting rubbed down. New plaster needs a mist coat before normal emulsion, and fresh plaster has to dry out first. Woodwork is slower than walls: old gloss often needs keying, knots may need sealing, and a proper finish on doors and frames takes several coats with drying time in between.

Wallpapering is a separate skill. Heavy or patterned papers need accurate pattern matching, walls that are sound and flat, and sometimes lining paper underneath. Removing old paper can reveal damaged plaster that needs repair before anything goes back up.

Decorative finishes such as polished plaster, limewash or specialist effects are usually done by a smaller number of decorators who specialise in them. Say so in your request if that is what you want.

Outside, the paint has to cope with rain, frost and sun. The job depends on the surface: masonry paint on render or pebbledash, microporous paint or stain on timber, and specialist systems on metal railings or gutters.

Access is often the largest cost. Ladders suit low work; anything higher usually needs a tower or scaffolding. Scaffolding must also be inspected before first use and regularly while it is up.

• which rooms or elevations, and the rough size of each
• walls, ceilings, woodwork, radiators, or everything
• the condition: cracks, stains, flaking paint, wallpaper to remove
• whether you will choose and buy the paint, or leave it to the decorator
• furniture: will rooms be empty or does the decorator move and cover things
• for exterior work: height, access for ladders or scaffolding, parking
• for businesses: working hours, whether work must happen out of hours, and site rules

A clear quote names the products and the number of coats, describes the preparation for each surface, and says whether the price includes filling, caulking, sanding, stain block, primer and undercoat. It should say who pays for materials and whether they are included at cost. For exterior work, it should cover access equipment and what happens if bad weather causes delays. Ask what the decorator will do about repairs discovered along the way, such as rotten timber in a window frame, and whether a joiner is involved.

Whether the work needs planning permission depends on what is built and where. Many small works on a house are exempted development within set limits, but that exemption does not apply everywhere, for example to protected structures. Ask your county or city council's planning office before you commit if you are unsure.

Electrical work in homes is carried out by Registered Electrical Contractors, and gas work by Registered Gas Installers; ask to see the registration before work starts. Check whether the quote includes VAT, which Revenue charges at different rates depending on the goods and services involved.

Source: revenue.ie

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Before that business sees your details, we email you its name, address and phone number. We check only that it is a registered business, for example through its Companies Registration Office entry or VAT number, not the quality of its work. We cannot promise that a business will respond; if nobody takes the request within 21 days, we withdraw it. Offrano is not a party to any contract for the work.