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Write down the exact rooms, surfaces, fixtures, and finish standard so every quote is pricing the same task list.
£100–£300 per day for most trades, £500–£3,000 for standard room projects
Pricing varies by property type, service requirements, and location. Always compare at least 3 like-for-like quotes before appointing.
Typical timeline: 1–3 days for most jobs, 1–2 weeks for larger projects
Check for genuine customer reviews on completed projects
Ask to see examples of recent work similar to yours
Confirm they carry public liability insurance
Get a clear written quotation with itemised costs
Verify their experience with your specific type of work
Emergency callouts, evening/weekend visits, and urgent parts sourcing usually increase rates. If your job is non-urgent, planning ahead and combining smaller tasks into one visit often reduces total spend.
Keep every quote anchored to the same scope, access, and finish assumptions before you decide which provider is actually cheaper.
Write down the exact rooms, surfaces, fixtures, and finish standard so every quote is pricing the same task list.
Confirm who supplies materials, how many visits are needed, and whether waste disposal is included.
Ask for making-good, touch-up work, and snagging to be stated clearly rather than implied.
Request a start window and completion estimate before comparing lower-priced general trade quotes.
Cheap headline pricing is only useful when the exclusions, paperwork, and finish standard stay explicit. Push these risks into writing before you shortlist anyone.
Vague labour-only quotes with no finish standard, room count, or materials split.
No insurance, no recent work examples, and no written snagging agreement.
Requests for full payment up front on short-duration maintenance jobs.
A contractor who will not confirm what happens if hidden defects or extra work appear.
Explore local cost context before requesting quotes.
Expect to pay £300–£600 per room for skimming over existing plaster, or £600–£1,000 for full replastering including stripping back to brick. Ceiling plastering adds £200–£400 per room.
Most exterior paintwork needs refreshing every 5–7 years depending on exposure, paint quality, and substrate. South-facing and exposed walls may need more frequent maintenance.
A carpenter works on site — fitting kitchens, hanging doors, laying flooring, building stud walls. A joiner works in a workshop making bespoke items like staircases, windows, and furniture. Many professionals do both.
For small, straightforward jobs (shelving, curtain rails, minor repairs), a handyman is fine. For anything involving electrics, gas, plumbing, or structural changes, always use a qualified specialist trade.
Compare nearby categories before choosing your final quote shortlist.