Painters and Decorators
in Christchurch

As the property market in Christchurch continues to settle in the years after the devastating 2011 earthquake, it is more important than ever that if you are looking to sell your home you make it look as good as possible.  It may seem counterintuitive to spend money on a property you are about to sell, but using a professional painter and decorator to make a few small changes could make all the difference when the real estate agent’s board goes up.

Living Room

If you want to maximise the potential sale value and allow prospective buyers to imagine their own furniture and decor in the house, then ask a painter to redecorate in a neutral colour throughout the main rooms like the living room to offer a blank canvas.

Alternatively you could create a focal point by getting an expert wallpaper hanger to create a feature wall with patterned or brightly coloured paper, but be careful not to get too outrageous or you might put buyers off.

Kitchen

Completely renovating a kitchen is costly and time-consuming but a clever decorator can make a big difference with a few minor changes. Painting cupboard doors can update a tired looking room without the big budget of a complete renovation, and could be complemented by the addition of new handles to further update the look.

Exterior

The outside of your house is what buyers see first and might be the only thing they see if they are just driving by, so looking good on the outside is important. An experienced exterior painter can spruce up weatherboard, roofs, and fences and even give your front door a lick of paint to welcome visitors.

Small details

Minor details around the house are often missed when you live there but are likely to be spotted by any potential buyers who will be looking closely. Areas where a decorator might be able to help you include bannisters and skirting boards, window surrounds and minor marks on the walls. By touching up these areas, you will improve the overall look of your house and increase its appeal.

Finding the right painter and decorator for your job

Once you have decided which areas you want to improve, it is important to find the right contractor for the job. Some tasks such as roof or exterior refurbishments might require a specialist painter with experience in this larger scale work. If possible try and get more than one quote for the redecoration to allow you to compare prices. When you are comparing prices, look at what is included for example preparation work and materials, and whether the price is fixed or just an estimate which could change in the final bill. Most good contractors will provide a free estimate so getting quotes costs you nothing but a little bit of time.

Don’t be afraid to ask for testimonials or for examples of previous jobs. Many decorators will have a gallery of their earlier work available to show you and you may even be able to view some in person if a previous client agrees.

Once you have decided on your preferred painting expert, don’t forget to agree the scope of the job before work starts and note whether you are paying a deposit upfront, and be sure to keep in touch with the contractor while the work is being done to make sure any issues are dealt with along the way.