How to Brief a Decorator So the Job Goes Smoothly
What to tell a decorator before work starts, from colours and finishes to access, pets and daily routines, so the job runs on time and as you expect.
A good brief saves time, money and irritation. Most decorators are used to filling in gaps, but the more precisely you describe what you want, the more likely the result matches your picture.
Think of a brief as a one-page summary you can send in a message, hand over on the day, or both.
Start with the outcome
Describe the look and the purpose rather than only the technical details. "A calm, light bedroom with a washable finish for a toddler" tells a decorator more than "two coats of emulsion".
Include:
- The mood or style you are aiming for
- Any inspiration photos or colour references
- Constraints, such as a rental property needing neutral colours or a house about to be sold
Specify the scope room by room
For each room, list:
- Surfaces to paint (walls, ceiling, woodwork, radiators, doors)
- Surfaces not to paint
- Colours and finishes, ideally with brand-neutral names or sample codes you have tested
- Any special features: feature wall, wallpaper, picture rail, coving
Be explicit about woodwork finish: satin, eggshell or gloss. Our guide to choosing finishes for skirting boards and doors can help.
Share known problems
Do not hide issues. Mention:
- Damp or past leaks
- Cracks that reappear
- Previous poor repairs
- Wallpaper or lining paper underneath
- Possible lead paint in older homes
An honest description allows a realistic quote and a sensible plan.
Explain practicalities
Access and routine
Tell the decorator about working hours, parking, key arrangements, noise restrictions in a block of flats and quiet times if you work from home.
Pets, children and allergies
Mention pets that must be kept apart and anyone sensitive to fumes. Ask about low odour products if relevant, and see low-VOC paint.
Furniture
Clarify what you will move and what the decorator should move. Using a preparation checklist makes this simple.
Utilities
Make sure the decorator knows where the toilet, water and power are, and any rooms that are off limits.
Agree communication and decisions
- Who is the point of contact if you are not there?
- How will you approve colours on the day?
- How will changes be priced?
- When will you check progress?
Short daily updates by message are often enough. Through Compito, you can keep all this in the message thread alongside the accepted offer so there is one place to refer back to.
Colour decisions before day one
Changing colours halfway through is one of the most common causes of extra cost and delay. Test samples on the wall, look at them in morning and evening light, and decide before work starts. See how to test paint colours with samples.
A simple brief template
- Property type and address area
- Rooms and surfaces included
- Finish and colours, with sample names
- Known problems
- Access, parking and working hours
- Pets, children, allergies
- Preferred start date and deadline
- Who supplies paint
A worked example: a brief for a rented two-bed flat
Here is how a short brief might read: "Two-bed first-floor flat, tenant moving out on the 20th, new tenant arriving on the 28th. Paint all walls in the lounge, hall and two bedrooms in the same light neutral, matt emulsion. Ceilings white. Skirtings and doors satin white, only where marked or scuffed. Previous tenant had a dog, so expect marks low on the walls and a smell in the hall. No damp. Keys with the agent, parking is a permit space on the road, water and power are on. Please send a short photo update at the end of each day." Notice it names dates, finish, known issues, access and communication in about 90 words.
What decorators most wish people said
| Missing detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Ceiling heights and stairs | Affects access equipment |
| Occupied or empty | Affects time and protection |
| Previous finish | Gloss, silk and emulsion need different prep |
| Deadline reason | Helps them plan the job honestly |
| Budget range | Lets them suggest what fits |
Common mistakes
- Only saying "freshen up". Without scope, you will be quoted for different things.
- Sending one photo. Send wide shots plus close-ups of problem areas.
- Hiding past problems. Leaks and mould will surface mid-job.
- Forgetting access. Parking, keys, alarm codes and neighbours' hours matter.
- Leaving colour choice vague. "White" is hundreds of whites.
Accessibility, pets and sensitivities
Mention if anyone has asthma, chemical sensitivity, limited mobility or sleeps during the day, so the decorator can choose low-odour products and plan hours. State if a pet will be in the house. A decorator can then keep doors closed and tins sealed.
Photos and measurements
Photograph each wall in daylight with the lights off, then again with the light on. Add a tape measure in one shot for scale. Measure ceiling height and note stairs or loft hatches. This small effort leads to much more accurate quotes and reduces the number of back-and-forth questions.
Keep the brief as your reference
After accepting an offer, save the brief with the agreed price. If the scope changes, note it in writing so both sides remember what was agreed. See how to compare decorating quotes for lining up responses.
Frequently asked questions
How detailed should a brief be?
Detailed enough that someone who has never seen your home could price it. One page is usually plenty.
Do I need to be home during the work?
Not always. Many people leave a key or give access arrangements, but it helps to be available by phone for questions.
Can I change my mind after work starts?
You can, but it may cost extra and take longer, especially after paint has been applied. Raise it as early as possible and ask for the impact in writing.