Painting and Decorating: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Registered in England and Wales 

Company Number: 16851519

Yes.

We offer a range of interior design services including residential design, commercial design, and e-design. We also offer a vast array of decorating services and other services. This includes painting, staining, French polishing, wallpapering, wooden window repairs, resin repairs, renovations and so much more. These services expand to internal and external areas. If you would like to know if we undertake a specific service, please get in touch and we will happily help.

The cost of our services varies depending on the scope of the project. Contact us for a consultation and quote.

A Painter and decorator is a highly skilled tradesperson who improves the aesthetics of an area by applying: paint, wallpaper and other finishes like gold leaf.

The decorating process varies from project to project however the fundamentals will always be the same. These are: understanding your requirements, planning, protecting surfaces, preparing surfaces for decoration, priming, and lastly applying the finish. 

Yes, we will always provide you with a quotation. We aim to have our quotations sent over within 3 working days. The process is simple. A appointment is made where a member of our team visits your project, we will discuss what you want, styles and give our advice on what products to use. The quotation will be sent over via email which will contain a PDF document, if you accept the quote then a deposit will need to be paid and your job is booked into our diary. 

Yes. Decorating is not all we do at Geodec. We have an in house interior designer who can help you on your aesthetic journey. We also, have an extensive list of other trades that we work with.

Yes. We have a team of decorators and designers and also work with different highly skilled trades 

Yes. We have full Public Liability Insurance with a cover of £5,000,000

Yes. We are based in Rochester and proudly serve London, Kent and surrounding areas. Please contact our team for more information. 

Yes. We have references and photos here on this site under Reviews and Portfolio. 

Not necessarily. Having a room empty is always best practice however we understand that this isn’t always possible. We would advise removing all valuable items like pictures, TV, ornaments etc. We will always protect all surfaces including any furniture that may be in the room.

Yes. Interior and exterior works are undertaken.

There are no hidden charges.

 Yes, we offer gift cards that you can purchase here

This is all dependant on the current condition of the walls. A good decorator will always fill and make good of surfaces however this is limited. You could improve the smoothness of walls by lining them but again this all depends on the current condition of the walls. Speak to your decorator and they will advise you accordingly. 

Trade paint is a higher quality paint specifically made for professionals. While retail paint is made for DIY customers. Trade paints are made with better ingredients and contain more pigments allowing for a better finish, while retail paints contain more water meaning more coats will need to be applied. Trade paints are more durable, have easier application, better coverage and have had rigorous testing. 

Yes, of course. These are great paints to use and have some really lovely colours. Please take into consideration that designer plants have a higher price tag. We would always advise speaking to your decorator.

Please see our Blog for more information, by clicking here: Designer Paints

Yes, there are lots of different brands to choose from.

Decorating isn’t just about making an area look nice. Infact this is the least important reason to decorate. The reasons in which we decorate are: 

Preservation

To preserve surfaces and protect them. 

Sanitation

To sanitise surfaces, for example in hospitals. 

Identification

To create identification points like road markings. 

Decoration. 

To make something aesthetically pleasing

Please see our Blog for more information, by clicking here: Why Professional Decorators are essential

All paints have different drying properties and will dry quicker depending on what type of paint you use and the surrounding environment. The methods in which paint dries are as follows.

Oxidation 

Oil based paints dry by oxidation. They need more air to dry.

Coalescence

The majority of Water based paints dry by coalescence. This will require a mixture of heat and air to dry. 

Evaporation

This is where the liquid turns into a gas and disappears into the air. An example of this is white sprit.

Polymerisation 

This is where different particles fuse together to create larger polymers. An example of this would be paints that require a hardener to dry. 

Oil based paints and water based paints, both have different properties and have different positives and negatives.

Sheen

Oil based paints have a higher sheen level however it dulls over time. Water based paints have a lower sheen level however this is maintained for longer. 

Durability 

Oil based paints are more durable and more resistant to wear and tear. Water based paints are less durable. This is starting to change in recent years. The advancement of water based technology has improved massively and there are some fantastic durable water based paints available. 

Drying time

Oil based paints can take up to 24 hours to fully dry where’s water based paints are touch try within an hour. 

VOC 

Oil based paints contain a higher VOC where’s water based paints contain a low level VOC. Some paints on the market advertise as 99.99% VOC free. 

Yellowing 

Oil based paints absorb contaminants from the air, and therefore after a while will start to go yellow. Water based paints stay whiter for much longer. 

Best for 

Oil based paints are best used on front doors, and exterior woodwork and joinery. Water based paints are best used for internal walls, and masonry. All surfaces can be painted in either oil or water based paints. Always take the advice of your decorator when choosing what paint to use. 

Please see our blog for more information, by clicking here: Oil-Based vs. Water Based Paints

Lining paper can be used to create a smooth, even surface for wallpaper or paint. It can also help to hide imperfections, reduce stains, and prevent wallpaper from shrinking. Lining paper comes in different thicknesses, and the grade you choose depends on the condition of the wall. There are different types of lining paper, and these include: soundproofing, fibre-lining, thermal insulating and damp proofing lining paper.