Painter and decorator FAQs in Northampton

No. Quotes and advice from DH Painter & Decorator are free and there is no obligation to go ahead. Dean or one of the team will visit, look at the rooms or outside of the property, talk through what you want and then send a written quote. You can take your time deciding, and we are happy to answer questions afterwards.

We are based in Northampton and cover the town and the surrounding area, including places such as Wellingborough, Kettering, Daventry, Towcester, Market Harborough, Rushden, Brixworth, Moulton, Duston and Earls Barton. If you are just outside those areas, get in touch anyway and we will let you know if we can help.

Call 07539 779 036, email office.dhpainter@gmail.com or use the contact form on our website. Tell us roughly what you need and where you are, and we will arrange a convenient time to visit. After the visit you get a written quote, and once you are happy we agree a start date.

Yes. DH Painter & Decorator is fully insured and trained. Insurance protects you if something is accidentally damaged while we are working in or around your home. You are welcome to ask about our cover when we come out to quote, and we would encourage you to ask any decorator you are considering the same question.

Our reviews page has comments from past customers describing the jobs we have done for them. We also share some of those comments on our reviews page. Customers often mention the tidiness, the attention to detail and that Dean turns up on time, which are all things we care about.

Yes. We can work through the house in an order that suits you, finishing one or two rooms before moving on. Bedrooms are often done first so you always have somewhere comfortable to sleep, and kitchens can be timed around meals. Tell us which rooms matter most day to day and we will plan the job around them.

We lay dust sheets over floors and furniture, and use masking tape and protective film around carpets, worktops, sockets and window glass where needed. Outside, we sheet paths, drives and plants below the work area. At the end of each day we tidy up, and at the end of the job we remove all protection and leave the area clean.

Most of the paints we use indoors are water-based, which have a much lower smell than older oil-based products and dry quickly. You will notice some smell while the paint is going on, but it fades fast with a window open. If anyone in the house is sensitive to smells, tell us beforehand and we can talk through product choices.

Yes, filling is part of our standard preparation. We fill cracks, screw holes and small dents, sand them smooth and spot-prime where needed so the repairs don't show through. Gaps along skirting and door frames are caulked for a clean line. Larger problems like blown plaster may need a plasterer, and we will tell you if that is the case.

For most walls a matt or soft matt emulsion looks good and hides small imperfections, while kitchens, bathrooms and busy hallways benefit from a more durable, wipeable finish. For woodwork, satinwood is popular because it has a gentle sheen and wears well, while gloss gives a traditional shiny look. We can advise on the right finish for each room.

Usually, yes. If you know the brand and colour name, that is the simplest route. If not, a small sample of the painted surface can often be colour-matched at a paint merchant. Matches are normally very close, but older paint fades and marks over time, so we may suggest repainting a whole wall rather than patching it.

Yes. New plaster must be fully dry first, which can take a few weeks depending on the thickness and the time of year. We then apply a thinned mist coat so the paint soaks in and bonds properly, followed by the finish coats. Painting new plaster with ordinary emulsion straight away can lead to peeling later on.

Yes, on request. Radiators and pipes need to be cool, cleaned and keyed, and we use a paint suitable for heated metal so it doesn't yellow or flake. It is worth mentioning at the quote stage, as radiators take a little extra time and are not always included in a standard room price.

We paint render, roughcast, pebbledash and masonry walls, fascias, soffits, rainwater pipes, windows, doors and garages. We also stain timber such as hardwood gates, fences and cladding, and paint metal gates and railings. Each surface has its own preparation and paint, and your quote will set out what is planned for each one.

Not always. Many houses can be painted safely using ladders, platforms and towers, while some taller or awkward buildings need scaffold. We decide on the right access equipment when we visit, based on height, ground conditions and how long the work will take. If scaffold is needed, we will explain why and include it in the quote.

Yes. We paint garage walls, render and garage doors, whether timber or metal, as well as the fascias and gutters on them. Garages are often done at the same time as the house so everything matches. Metal doors need cleaning, any rust treating and a suitable primer, while timber doors need sanding and a proper exterior paint or stain.

Yes. We decorate commercial premises as well as homes, including shopfronts such as an estate agent's front. We can work around your opening hours to keep disruption to a minimum and make sure the front of the building looks sharp and well kept. Tell us about any access or timing restrictions when we quote.

Yes. We strip old paper, usually with a steamer, and then fill and sand the walls ready for the new paper or paint. Sometimes stripping reveals damaged plaster underneath, and we will let you know if that needs repairing. Stripping is included in the quote when you tell us it is needed, so mention it at the visit.

Yes. Patterned papers need careful setting out so the design lines up and sits well on the wall, especially around chimney breasts and doors. Heavier papers such as vinyls and some textured designs may need a specific adhesive. If you have already chosen a paper, tell us which one so we can check the hanging instructions.

Most customers choose and buy their own wallpaper, which is fine. Buy all the rolls at the same time and check they share the same batch number, because colours can vary slightly between batches. Allow a spare roll for pattern matching and mistakes. We can work out how many rolls you need when we measure up.

There is no fixed rule, but as a rough guide many homes have their main rooms repainted every five to ten years, with busy hallways and children's rooms needing it sooner. Outside, painted woodwork often needs attention every five years or so and masonry paint lasts longer. Regular cleaning and early touch-ups stretch the time between repaints.

Use a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and a little mild washing-up liquid, then wipe with clean water. Avoid abrasive pads and strong cleaners, which can polish or remove the finish. Woodwork in satinwood or gloss is the easiest to wipe. Wait at least a couple of weeks after painting before any washing.

Yes, if there is any left we are happy to leave it with you, labelled with the room so you know what it is for. Keep tins somewhere frost-free with the lids pressed on firmly. Leftover paint is useful for small touch-ups, though a patch on an older wall may look slightly different in colour.