Latest Articles

Decorating bills are rising while some white emulsions now require extra coats, increasing labour and paint costs. This post explains why coverage has fallen and what homeowners can expect.

Clear guide to how decorators charge to paint a room — typical tasks, timelines and cost factors to help you compare quotes.

A tradesperson's account of entering the Dulux Select awards and why it mattered. Covers the entry process, judges' criteria and a living-room transformation that earned a shortlist.

Reader feedback reveals hidden costs behind decorating quotes — vehicle wear, insurance, tools, admin and unpaid time — showing why a single figure rarely tells the whole story.

Shortlisted again at the Dulux Select Awards and awarded Highly Commended, I reflect on selecting entries, the awards night and what comes next for my decorating practice.

A tradesperson reflects on ten years of going independent — building lasting client relationships, learning from mistakes and navigating challenges like COVID.

A behind-the-scenes look at a tradesperson's week — calls, prep, delays and family pressures — plus practical tips customers can use to help jobs run well.

A personal reflection on retaking Mental Health First Aid at Dulux Academy, emphasising awareness, listening without judgement and the importance of continual training.

A personal reflection on battling depression after divorce and single parenting, sharing slow steps to recovery and reassurance that it can and does improve.

A professional decorator explains why painting walls white often requires extra coats — due to reformulated bases, strong underlying colours and porous substrates.

Firsthand account of using water-based gloss on white trim, covering poor coverage, brush marks and retouching issues, why white behaves differently and practical fixes.

After 16 years as a painter and decorator I’ve gone self-employed and have been trading independently for 18 months. I blend traditional word-of-mouth values with modern marketing to restore and refresh homes.

A tradesperson's guide to generating regular decorating work: website, social media, local ads, collaborations and targeted leaflet drops.

A decorator reflects on spotting paid promotions among decorating influencers after a trade podcast, and explains their approach to honest, independent product reviews.

Why exterior decorating season matters: plan around weather, choose safe access (scaffolding or ladders), and prepare surfaces with the right paints for rendered walls.

Many cheap decorating quotes hide extra costs, substandard materials or lack insurance. This guide explains why the lowest price can cost more and how to choose reliable decorators.

Many men in trades and male-dominated environments keep emotions bottled up. This post outlines the cost of silence and lists confidential support options to encourage opening up.