RAVEN DECOR'S PAINTING AND DECORATING FAQ'S

We always get asked a lot of questions whilst on jobs so below is a list of Painting and Decorating questions that seem to crop up on a regular basis:

I'm looking for a Painter and Decorator. How much experience do you have? How long have you been in this trade?

The Proprietor, Mark Ravenhill, has over 12 years experience (since 2003) as a Painter and Decorator and has a Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating.

Do you have any references that I can follow up?

Yes we have a number of references which are all available on request.

Do you work on your own, or do you have a team?

When the business was first established Mark Ravenhill was the sole decorator, but now work is carried out by Mark and Shaun, another decorator who qualified from the same college.

I notice you are based in Sheffield but I'm further afield, will you come out to me?

We typically work within South Yorkshire, but often will go beyond.

We want to use a particular type of paint in our bathroom, is that a good idea?

We give practical advice on all types of paint to be used, and where they are best suited.

I have a cream carpet in the living room, will this shade of blue clash with it?

We are at hand to offer practical advice on colour.

How much do you charge?

As all requirements are personal, after initial viewing of work to be done we provide a FREE detailed quotation, either in the form of a set price, or a daily labour charge (or a combination of both).

Is your price inclusive of materials? Are there any hidden charges? Vat etc.

A set labour charge is agreed for the work either as a set price or a daily rate. We are not VAT registered so no VAT will be charged. Materials are to be paid upfront by the customer. Where extras or variations to the main price arise, these will be agreed upon before any extra materials are purchased.

Do you provide quotes for insurance work?

Yes. We have many years experience providing quotes for insurance claims. We can provide you with a written quote to present to your insurance company. Unfortunately, it is usually the decision of the insurance company as to which quote they accept. This is usually the cheapest quote. They don't usually take into account the company's reputation or credentials.

We need our house to be secured each day. Are you willing to take responsibility for this?

We have worked in the domestic environment for many years, thus giving us the knowledge and confidence to look after your property.

Will you protect any items of furniture or carpeting while you are working?

Carpets and furniture are protected using clean cotton cloth sheets and/or pvc wrapped. Where specified, extra care is taken with sensitive items and we recommend that the customer remove or protect delicate items of property.

We have water stain on the ceiling from a leak which has been repaired, can you paint it so that it wont appear in a future?

Yes we can, whether it's on the wall or ceiling, we use a special paint as an undercoat and after applying the finishing coat, the water stain will no longer appear.

Do you carry Insurance?

Full Public Liability Insurance is in place and we are happy to show you our Insurance Certifcates on request for your peace of mind.

Do you clean up after the work is finished?

Absolutely! As well as taking pride in our decorating work, we ensure that everything is cleaned up spotless before we leave. The house is left in a state that we would expect our own homes to be in. In fact, if you wanted your whole house tidying, we have a team of cleaners that can come in and do this for you too!

What if I am not happy with the work when it is completed?

We aim to maintain customer satisfaction throughout the work and have a very high satisfaction rate. If a customer should not be happy with the work, we would aim to put it right as soon as possible.

What is the difference between a flat, high gloss, satin, and eggshell finish?

These terms indicate the sheen or gloss level, or degree or light reflectance, of the paint. Basically, these are terms that are used to describe paint's shininess.

• FINISH
  Where to Use: Kitchen and bathroom walls, kitchen cabinets, banisters and railings, trim, furniture, door jambs and window sills
  Comments: More durable, stain-resistant and easier to wash. However, the higher the gloss, the more likely surface imperfections will be noticed.
• SEMI-GLOSS
  Where to use: Kitchen and bathroom walls, hallways, children's rooms, playrooms, doors, woodwork and trim.
  Comments: More stain-resistant and easier to clean than flat paints. Better than flat for high-traffic areas.
• SATIN OR SILK (Range overlapping eggshell and semi-gloss)
  Where to use: Similar characteristics to semi-gloss and eggshell.
  Comments: Similar characteristics to semi-gloss and eggshell.
• EGGSHELL
  Where to use: Can be used in place of flat paints on wall surfaces especially in halls, bathrooms and playrooms. Can be used in place of semi-gloss paints on trim for a less shiny appearance.
  Comments: It resists stains better than flat paint and gives a more lustrous appearance.
• FLAT
  What to use: For general use on walls and ceilings. Hides surface imperfections.
  Comments: Stain removal can be difficult. Use for uniform, non-reflecting appearance. Best suited for low-traffic areas.
• MATTE Same characteristics as flat.

How many colour choices will I have?

We use only the finest quality paint finishes and have thousands of colours to choose from. We have a partnership with Johnstones Paints.

How long will it take to paint my house?

Not an easy question to answer without seeing the property! Rooms are different sizes and may have different painting and decorating or plastering requirements. The amount of time taken will depend on what services you require i.e. Plastering, painting or hanging wallpaper. We always state the estimated amount of time a job will take when we supply you with a quote for the work. We try very hard to get that timing correct, however, sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances that make a delayed finish to the painting and decorating project inevitable, but we will always update you with the current status of the job.

What does 'Blown Plaster' mean?

This is plaster that doesn't have contact with the wall anymore. It is just managing to 'hang' on the wall. It can be recognised by knocking with your fingers. You will hear a louder and hollower sound from the blown plaster than from healthy plaster. Blown plaster should be knocked out and patched up to make it level with the other wall before it is skimmed.

Will you come out to give me a quote?

Yes, we will be happy to visit your property to make an assessment providing that you live in Sheffield. We will then provide you with a written estimation. We aim to get out estimations to you within 48 hours of the first visit. If a visit is required outside of the Sheffield area then a small charge to cover the fuel would be necessary. Please note that we provide estimations and not quotes, we will try to endeavour to provide as much as an accurate estimation as possible but due to the nature of the job, unforeseen circumstances can arise which will make the work take longer, so extra labour charge may need to be applied. This is always discussed with the customer before the extra / longer work takes place. (Sometimes it goes the other way and a job doesn’t take as long as estimated so your bill isn't quite as much!)

I have a problem with mould on a small patch of wall in my bathroom. Can you treat this?

Yes, we can treat your walls with the appropriate mould treatment products and get them looking as good as new

Choosing your Colour Scheme

Choosing the right colour scheme to set the mood is important. The science of colour is called chromatics. It includes the perception of colour by the human eye and brain. Colour plays a vitally important role in the world in which we live. Colour can sway thinking, change actions, and cause reactions. It can irritate or soothe your eyes.

In very general terms:

• Pink – produces a sedative like affect
• Red – is dangerous, exciting and loud
• Orange – simply known as a colour for hazards
• Gold – portrays and enhances Joy and sunny feelings. It is also associated with power and age
• Yellow – is sharp and anxious. It can appear startling and the overuse of yellow can make the viewer uneasy
• Green – appears healthy, natural and secure. It's also a symbol of life
• Sky Blue – is calm, true and honest. It's a symbol of peace, tranquillity and good will
• Dark Blue – is moving, soulful and compassionate