A fresh coat of paint is the cheapest way to transform a room, which is why decorating is the home job most of us are tempted to take on ourselves. And plenty of it you absolutely can. But there's a reason a professionally decorated room looks different: it's in the preparation, the cutting-in, and the finish. This guide will help you decide which jobs to tackle yourself and which are worth handing over, so you spend your time and money where they count.
The jobs that are well worth doing yourself
If you've got the time and a bit of patience, these are very doable:
- Painting a single room with a simple layout. Walls and ceilings in a bedroom or living room are within reach of most people.
- Refreshing tired woodwork like skirting boards and doors, as long as you prep properly.
- Putting up shelves or assembling flat-pack furniture. Fiddly, but satisfying.
- Small touch-ups and filling minor cracks before they're noticeable.
The secret to a good DIY result is almost entirely in the prep: filling and sanding, cleaning surfaces, using decent masking tape, and applying thin, even coats rather than one thick one. Rushing the prep is why home jobs often look "nearly there" but not quite.
The jobs where a pro earns their money
Some jobs look simple but are genuinely hard to get right, and a poor finish shows forever. Consider calling in a professional for:
- Stairwells and high ceilings. Working safely at height over a staircase is awkward and risky. This is the most common reason people call us.
- A flawless finish on feature walls or whole houses. Consistent coverage, crisp lines and no patchiness across a big space is a skill, not just effort.
- Wallpapering, especially patterned paper that has to line up. Mistakes are expensive and obvious.
- Re-grouting and re-tiling, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens where bad sealing leads to leaks and mould down the line.
- Anything that needs heavy prep, such as repairing damaged plaster, stripping old paper, or fixing surfaces that have been painted over badly.
There's also the simple matter of time. A pro will do in a day what might take you a long weekend, with a better result and none of the clearing-up.
How to get a finish you'll actually be happy with
Whether you DIY or hire help, these principles make the difference:
- Prep beats paint. A cheap paint over well-prepared walls beats expensive paint over bad ones, every time.
- Buy good tools. A quality brush and roller leave fewer marks and last for years.
- Mind the light. Natural light in Devon shifts a lot through the day. Test colours on the actual wall and look at them morning and evening before committing.
- Don't skip primer on bare or patched surfaces, or the finish coat won't sit evenly.
A quick word on choosing a decorator
If you do hire, look for someone who turns up to quote in person, talks through colours and finishes, protects your floors and furniture, and leaves the place clean. A tidy worker is usually a careful one. And as with any home job, a clear written quote up front means no surprises later.
Thinking about redecorating in Exeter?
Devon Home Maintenance offers painting and decorating across Exeter, from a single feature wall to a whole-house refresh. We also do tiling and re-grouting, flat-pack assembly, furniture moving and home childproofing. Clear pricing, a tidy finish, and we stay in touch until you're happy with it.
Planning a refresh? Call 07391092619 or send a message through the website with what you've got in mind, and we'll give you a quote. We're available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.