The winter months may seem like the worst time to paint the interior of your house but if you are looking to pay a painter to do the work for you then this could be the best time of year to choose. Not only are the winter months generally quieter, meaning you should be able to get the work done quickly, but because the air is a lot less humid, the paint will dry quicker too.

If you are looking to get a professional in to do the work then make sure you get a quote from at least 3 decorators so you can compare the prices and get the best deal. Unless you are on a very strict budget, price should not be the limiting factor for choosing a painter. Some of the questions that you should ask include: Is the painter licensed and insured? What brand and grade of paint will be used? How many coats will be applied? What surface preparation will be done?

These questions will help you get an idea about the painting process and will also help to show differences between the painters you select. Some of the other things to pick up on are looking at the equipment that the painters and decorators use.  A true professional will have the right tools for the job to make their life easier.

Preparation is the key to getting the perfect finish so when you employ a decorator make sure that they will be preparing the surface to be painted. From using filling knives to fill holes, to paint and wallpaper strippers to remove wallpaper and old paint. Getting the surface preparation right will play a big part in the overall finish so make sure your tradesman has the right tools for the job.

Any decent painter will have a wide range of paint brushes, rollers and poles for every situation to make their job easier. Some of the most common paint brushes that they will use include: wall brushes, sash brushes, fitch brushes and angled handle brushes. As well as these they will also have a range of rollers and sleeves suitable for different types of paint and surface.

Most professional painters will prefer natural bristle paint brushes but modern synthetic paint brushes are becoming more common because of their great benefits.

One of the advantages of choosing a professional decorator is the speed and quality of the finish of the painting. A professional finish should have clean lines, a smooth finish and even application.