Decorating, tiling and flooring in Oxfordshire

Jobs a handyman can take on

A handyman can usually paint walls, ceilings, doors and skirting, and refresh a fence or shed. Splashbacks, fresh grout and laminate or vinyl floors are common jobs too.

For a whole house, wallpaper or a fine finish, a specialist decorator may suit the job better. Ask for photos of similar work.

Old paint can contain lead

HSE says paint for homes widely contained lead until the 1960s. Victorian and Edwardian houses in Oxford and the market towns may still have it under newer coats.

HSE gives these steps for old paint that may contain lead.

• If the old paint is sound and covered by newer paint, leave it.
• Do not use a flame, such as a blow lamp, to strip it.
• Keep a hot air gun below 500°C.
• Use wet abrasive paper or a chemical stripper, not dry sanding.
• Keep children and pets away, and clean up with a damp cloth.

Repainting between tenancies

Landlords often repaint in the gap between tenants. In Oxford student lets, that gap is often short and falls in summer, so book early.

Paint wears with time. In a deposit dispute, an adjudicator considers the age of the decoration, so a full repaint is rarely chargeable to one tenant.

Listed buildings and conservation areas

The law lets you paint the outside of a house without planning permission in most cases. An Article 4 direction can remove that right.

On a listed building, a new colour or type of paint on a historic surface can need listed building consent. Oxford alone has 18 conservation areas. Ask the district council first.

How decorating is priced

Firms price decorating by the day, by the room or by the job. One Carterton handyman publishes £150 to £300 for a full room, and £100 to £150 for touch-ups. Ask whether paint is included.

Questions

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