# How to Prepare for an Interior Painting Quote | London Dec A practical checklist for defining rooms, surfaces, preparation, finishes and access before requesting an interior painting quote. Canonical: https://londondec.co.uk/blog/prepare-for-an-interior-painting-quote Project planning # How to Prepare for an Interior Painting Quote 10 August 2026 7 minute read The first conversation about an interior painting project is more productive when the scope is clear. You do not need to know every product or technical detail, but it helps to identify what needs decorating, what condition it is in and what you expect the finished room to include. The checklist below is designed for homeowners preparing to request a project-specific quote. It reflects the practical information London Dec asks customers to share about the property, surfaces and required finish. Final preparation, products, availability and pricing still need to be confirmed for the individual project. ## List the rooms and surfaces Start with a room-by-room list. For each room, note whether the work includes walls, ceilings, skirting boards, architraves, doors, window frames, radiators or built-in joinery. Two enquiries for the same number of rooms can involve very different amounts of work when the surfaces are different. Be specific about exclusions as well. If a ceiling is already in good condition, or a door is not part of the project, record that. A written list gives both you and the decorator a shared reference when the quote is prepared. - Room name and approximate size - Walls and ceilings - Doors, frames, skirting and other woodwork - Feature walls or wallpapered surfaces - Items that should remain outside the scope ## Record the existing condition Preparation depends on the surface that is already there. Note visible cracks, holes, flaking paint, loose wallpaper, staining, damaged sealant or rough previous repairs. Photographs taken in daylight can help explain the condition before a visit, although an on-site assessment may still be needed. If there is an active leak, persistent damp or another underlying building issue, that cause should be investigated before cosmetic decoration is treated as the solution. Painting can change the finish, but it does not remove the source of moisture or movement in a building. ## Decide what finish you are aiming for You can request a quote before choosing an exact colour, but it is useful to know the general direction. Think about whether you want a straightforward refresh, a major colour change, a feature wall, wallpaper, or a different finish for the woodwork. Different surfaces can need different paint systems. The appropriate primer, number of coats and finish should be confirmed after the existing surface and selected product are known. Keep colour references, wallpaper samples and product details together so they can be checked against the proposed scope. ## Confirm who supplies paint and materials Do not assume that every quote handles materials in the same way. London Dec's current interior painting information says that paint supply is normally the homeowner's responsibility, while surface preparation, primer when needed, two coats of the chosen paint and clean-up form part of the standard service description. The written quote for your project is the place to confirm the actual arrangement. If you want the decorator to source paint, or you already own unopened tins, mention this early. Record the brand, product name, colour and finish where possible. The quantity required should be checked against the measured area, the condition of the surface and the manufacturer's coverage guidance. ## Separate standard preparation from repair work Filling small holes and sanding can be part of normal decorating preparation, but extensive plaster repair, wallpaper removal or remedial building work may be a separate item. London Dec's service information lists wallpaper removal and extensive plastering as work that is not included as standard and can be quoted separately. Show every area that concerns you during the survey. Ask for any additional repair or removal work to be described in the written scope. That makes it easier to understand what will be completed before painting starts and what would require another trade or a revised quotation. ## Plan access, furniture and protection Consider how the team will reach each surface and what will remain in the room. Large furniture, fitted units, delicate objects, curtains and wall-mounted equipment can affect access. London Dec's interior service information includes furniture and floor protection, but furniture removal is not listed as a standard inclusion. Before the work date is agreed, confirm what you need to move, what can be moved within the room and which areas must stay usable. Also mention parking, controlled entrances, lifts, stairs, access hours, pets and anyone working from home. These details help establish a practical sequence for an occupied property. ## Ask how the project will be sequenced A room is not only a set of painted surfaces. Preparation, drying time, access and clean-up all affect the working sequence. Ask which room will be started first, whether rooms can be returned to use in stages and how changes to the agreed scope would be handled. Timings vary with the size of the project, surface condition, preparation, chosen products and access. A useful programme should therefore be based on the surveyed project rather than a generic promise made before those details are known. ## Read the written quote against your list When the quote arrives, compare it with your room-by-room notes. Check the surfaces, preparation, products, number of coats where specified, protection, clean-up, materials arrangement and any separately priced work. If a detail matters to you but is not written down, ask for clarification before accepting the quote. Keep any later changes in writing as well. A different colour, added room or newly discovered repair can alter the scope. Recording the change helps everyone distinguish the original quotation from additional work. ## A quick enquiry checklist You can use the following list before contacting London Dec or another decorator. It is not a substitute for a survey, but it should make the first discussion clearer. - Property postcode and preferred contact details - Rooms and surfaces included in the project - Photographs of the rooms and visible defects - Current wall finish, where known - Desired colours, wallpaper or finish direction - Any repair, removal or access concerns - Who is expected to supply paint and wallpaper - Preferred timing and any fixed access restrictions Project notes ready? ## Request a project-specific quote. Share the property, surfaces, condition and finish you have in mind. Availability and the final scope are confirmed for each project. Continue planning ## Review the interior painting service.