b'choosingandusinga . The best way to find a good decorator is through word Discuss and detail in writing the products and colours of mouth - a recommendation from a trusted source isyou want, including brand name of paint, and make worth its weight in gold.Ifyou don\'t know anyone who\'ssure through the project that those are actually used. renovated recently. you can always ask the store you\'reGetofjob an estimatethe time thewill take to complete, buying your paint or wallpaper from to recommend aand make sure you are aware of any additional costs, painter or paperhanger,saysinterior design consultantsuch as travel and whether the quote includes GST. Judi Bagust of Make sure youbothsignanddate the quote once judibagustdesign. If you\'re painting, the Master Painters trade associationyou\'ve accepted it. canprovide leads. Working with a master painter alsoWhileanyonecanslappaint onto your walls,it takes hastheadvantageof providingaprocesstoresolveexpertise and experience to get a really high-quality finish. in "Andremember,youcan\'tblamethepainter if your issues should any arise.F ally,Reseneoffers an online Professionals Wantedtrade listing, with more than 400groundworkisnogood,"saysdesignerMurray contactsfor architects,designersanddecorators.TheThompson of RapelloDesign. "Get the painter to look company also has a free Find-A-Painter service - just fill inat the wall beforehand, so a plasterboard-stopper can fix a job sheet in-store or online at: www.resene.co.nz, andany problems. Check that they will clean up after sanding wait for the painters to call you.between coats - too often, the dust is left to blow about And when you\'re considering whowantworkith,and sticks to the walls, leaving a bitty finish." youtowdon\'t be afraid to ask to inspect previous projects. LookA painted wall should be smooth to touch, which may at the job to assess the quality for yourself and talk to themean it needs skimming with a product such as Resene homeowners to see howthe decorator was. reliableBroadwall Surface Prep. Ifis an issue, Murray suggests cost \\Vhen inspecting wallpaper, look at the joins in the paperjust skimming the walls that get the most light, as they are - the pattern should match perfectly- and at the skirtingsthe ones that will show the most imperfections. The wall and scotias to seethat the paper is finished tidily andshould also have perfectly straight lines where two colours there\'s no old glue left on the paintwork. With paintedmeet. This shows that the painter has used masking tape, walls,however,the quality of thepaint job islargelyrather than theeyealone, to achieve the line. dictated by the quality of the preparation work. PaintingGettingaperfectfinishwhenrenovatinganolder isa skilled trade that requirestraining andappropriatehome canbe tricky. Walls are often out of plumb and tools.Professionalpaintersknow how topreparethenot straight. Murray says it\'s best to re-plasterboard the surfaceproperly. which paints to usein each situation,walls altogether,andthisalsooffers theideal chance and how to get the job done with minimal disruption.toreconfigure your power pointsandaddinsulation. Next is the business of getting the quote. It\'s a good ideaHowever,astheframinginoldhomes willberoughto talk to at leastthreedecorators,and Judi saysyouhewn,the walls willneed packingto ensurethenew should ask for a contract price rather than an hourly rate.plasterboard sits flat. Always discuss the job thoroughly with your tradesperson"All this prep work can be pricey, but it makes the world of before starting,to avoid confusion and disappointmentdifference," he"It\'s ideal to re-plasterboard, butthat\'s says.if - and make sure the decorator who starts the job is theout of reach, choose a less glossy paint, such as low-sheen one who finishes it. Also, asmany of them have moreResene Zylone SpaceCote, which willmaskimperfections." than one job on at a time, she recommends trying to pin them down to a schedule.Finally,doberealisticabout the amount of time and money you have budgeted to get the job done. Good "You need tobespecific - and fussy - to get the perfectdecorators are in demand and will usually charge more job," she says.thantheaveragemarketprice.Andintoday\'sbusy You also need to think about:building climate, you may have to wait for a good painter Makingsureyouprovidea cleardescriptionof theor paperhangertobecomeavailable.However,ifyou scope of the project, including any surface preparationdon\'t want to do it yourself - and want to avoid costly work. Be specific and concise.headaches - it\'s worth it. H 114habitat'