The Decorator – December 2020-January 2021

THE

DECORATOR

The official journal of the Painting and Decorating Association • December 2020-January 2021

John Kerry St Mary’s, Stockton-on-Tees – See The Gallery for more!

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Dear Members, When I was writing my final 2019 magazine letter, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined

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that 2020 would bring forth something that has had such huge impact on every part of our daily lives, both in the UK and around the world. By the time you read this, we will be all facing different restrictions depending on which tier we have been placed.

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Despite everything that we have endured since March, I am proud to say that our Association, our

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HQ team and you, our Members, have remained steadfast, supported each other and met the challenges we have all faced. As things improve, we will emerge stronger and more resilient with a better understanding of what is important to us in life. Hopefully we will continue to display compassion for those around us as we have done in the past months. To those of you who have lost family members, colleagues or friends to this dreadful pandemic, I send our condolences and thoughts.

I would like to thank my team at HQ for their outstanding work and commitment over the last nine months. Way back in March, the unanimous decision we took as a team was that we would keep our office open five days a week and retain normal opening hours. We know from your feedback that this

elsewhere in this issue...

4 Association News

has been greatly appreciated by you, our Members.

Our intention in offering such support was to help to bring our membership across the whole of the UK closer together whilst ensuring the survival of our 126-year-old Association. As a result of the hundreds of calls made to Members during the first lockdown period, many Members who had not previously made contact have now formed a much closer relationship with us. Please don’t forget, we are there for you all. If you have a problem and you feel you can’t resolve it, simply pick up the phone or drop us an email and we will do our utmost to provide practical help and support.

In an earlier letter, I spoke about our new website. Due to some unforeseen technical issues we have a slight delay on the launch date, but we are getting close now, so keep an eye open for further information in our regular e-newsletter.

On a different note, I would like to congratulate our competition winners at this year’s Online Painting and Decorating Show. Prizes were generously donated by some of our Associate partners – Thank you to them for their ongoing support.

16 Members News 18 Training and Education 20 FAQ

with Charlie Budd

24 The Gallery

Congratulations also go to to Mark Parsons of Mark Parsons Decorating Services for becoming the newly elected SME/sole trader representative on the PDA Management Board. We look forward to welcoming him to our future meetings and to his input into the continuing work of the Association.

26 Industry News

We sincerely hope that in 2021 the PDA can resume some of its events and activities and that we will be able to meet up in person once again. Sometimes, virtual meetings just don’t cut the mustard!

Finally, on behalf of my team, may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year. I am sure we will all try and have the best time we can under the circumstances.

28 Colour trends from F&B 30 Case studies 40 Tooltalk

Neil Ogilvie Chief Executive neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

with Wayne de Wet

42 Products and services

THE

DECORATOR

Painting & Decorating Association 32 Coton Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5TW Telephone: 024 7635 3776 e-mail: info@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk web: www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk Chief Executive Officer Neil Ogilvie neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

December 2020-January 2021 — Volume 89 No 6 The Decorator is published by Catherine Saint Publicity on behalf of the Painting & Decorating Association PDA Editorial Neil Ogilvie Telephone: 07796 942474 e-mail: neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

Advertising and Editorial Catherine Saint Publicity Telephone: 07941 590183 e-mail: catherine.saint@yahoo.co.uk Artworking and Design empathicVisions Telephone: 07789 725074 e-mail: info@empathicvisions.co.uk

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those held by the Association. Editorial items in this publication and the statements and opinions expressed thereon are published on the understanding that the author of the contribution is solely responsible for the opinions so expressed. Although every care is taken with advertising, no responsibility can be accepted by the published for their products, services and other matters advertised. The publisher will not be liable for any loss or damage consequential or otherwise occasioned by error, late publication or the failure of an advertisement to appear in any cause whatsoever.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

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The latest news and updates about the PDA and wider issues across our industry.

If you have something to contrubite email info@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

HAVE A MERRY XMAS! The PDA Head Office will be closed from 5.00pm on 23 December 2020 and will re-open for business as usual on 4 January 2021. We would like to wish everyone a great holiday and a happy and healthy 2021.

Neil and the Head Office Team

Winter holidays – England, Wales & Scotland

DON'T MISS OUT! GET YOUR FREE CARD Not only do PDA Members benefit from everyday low prices in B&Q, they will now get 10%* off almost everything. Remember that is off almost EVERYTHING in B&Q/TradePoint, instore and online giving you access to discounts on over 60,000 products across the entire range.

Some of the services include: • Made to measure windows, doors, staircases and roof trusses

The Working Rule Agreement states that there shall be seven working days taken in conjunction with Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day to give a winter holiday of two calendar weeks. The Winter Break in 2020 will be from normal finishing time on Friday 18 December 2020 to normal starting time on Monday 4 January 2021 in accordance with WR.18.1.

TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL DECORATORS WHO WANT to win major contracts increasingly need to be able to show they are committed to best practice across a number of risk management areas.

Joining CHAS and applying for an appropriate level of accreditation is a simple way of doing this and the good news is that PDA Members are eligible for a 20% discount.

• Dedicated Trade staff, checkouts and parking • Open early to late 7 days a week • 290 stores nationwide plus transactional website • Bulk Delivery to site or 1hr click and collect • Account facility • Timber cutting and Paint mixing

Log in to the Members area of the PDA website to apply for your FREE TradePoint card now!

There is an accreditation package suited to every size of business and level of accreditation, from an entry-level Health and Safety Assessments and a self-certified financial module to more advanced packages.

CHAS members also get access to a wealth of benefits including business shield support, insurance quotes, legal advice, fuel savings, discounted eRAMS and e-learning training modules.

So if you want to ensure compliance, gain essential training and make considerable operational savings contact the friendly team today to find out more on 020 8038 4322 or visit www.chas.co.uk

ONLINE SHOW A GREAT SUCCESS

*Excludes delivery, gift cards, concessions, clearance, Amazon products, supplier quoted and selected made to measure products. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other voucher or customer discount card.

MANY OF OUR readers visited the P&D Show recently, not the real one of course, that was postponed because of the pandemic, but an online version staged by the organisers. The Online P&D Show ran for six weeks until the end of October and was visited by over 8,000 decorating professionals who racked up a whopping 73,000 page views. The PDA had its own virtual stand which saw almost 3,000 visits.

Organiser Paul Murray said, “This was the first industry event of its kind and so we had no idea how it would go, but exhibitors really entered into the spirit of the event, posting practical ‘how-to’ videos, launching some amazing new products and offering great competitions, including one by the PDA to win a Graco spray machine! You can’t completely replicate the buzz and excitement of a live show but we were able to keep everyone up to date with the latest industry news and product innovations.”

The rescheduled P&D Show will take place 23-24 November 2021 and PDA and The Decorator will be there to welcome you, hopefully with more than an elbow bump! www.paintshow.co.uk

KEEP WORKING SAFELY WITH UPDATES FROM THE PDA www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk/covid-19-faqs The Painting and Decorating Association has put together all the information and advice, including guidance on hygiene and safety measures in a special area of our website. This is updated on a daily basis and is a useful resource for PDA Members collating guidance and links to Government, HSE and sector-specific information.

We will support you as much as possible, and we urge all Members to abide by the government guidelines and safe working practices outlined in our guidance. It is only with everyone working safely that we will be able to contain the spread of this virus.

We wish everyone well and please do get in touch with the PDA Head Office if you require any assistance.

Telephone: 024 7635 3776

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Email: info@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

ASSOCIATION NEWS

2020

YEAR IN REVIEW 2020 will go down in the annals of history as one of those times that we hope never to experience. The Covid-19 pandemic is something that has been global in its impact, every single one of us has had to deal with a completely new way of life and get used to regular changes in government strategy on how best to deal with it.

Brexit: Challenges for the construction industry As if the pandemic were not enough, we also have the ongoing challenge of what will happen after the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December 2020.

Outside our customary work activities, many aspects of the UK and the European Union's future relationship remain uncertain. We already know some things will change from 1 January 2021.

• Trade will be different, inside and outside the UK • European trips will need more planning and we will stand in a different queue at borders • New rules for EU citizens living in the UK • There will be a new immigration system The Painting and Decorating Association is an active member of BUILD UK, and has participated in regular consultation meetings with them.

Through the information gathered at such meetings, Build UK has supported and informed Government policy as preparations for Brexit have developed. They have also sustained an essential role with members of trade associations

and the wider industry by sharing much needed expertise and information to help prepare for any eventuality.

The continuing inability of policy-makers to agree a way forward has left members (multinationals and SMEs/sole trader members alike) struggling to overcome market uncertainty. The immediate effect of leaving without a deal in place is not knowing the cost of the materials and goods that construction projects rely on, or if such materials will arrive on sites across the four nations to keep projects of all shapes and sizes on track.

With the impact of the previous financial crisis not forgotten in an industry that experienced countless business failures, the resilience of the industry has its limits.

soon as possible. Failure to do so would have a significant detrimental impact on the coatings sector across Europe, but especially on UK manufacturers.

A free trade agreement is needed to avoid tariffs being placed on future trade, something the BCF calculates would cost the coatings industry in the EU some £75 million a year in finished goods alone in both added import and export costs.

UK companies would also be hit with tariffs on raw materials imported from the EU, putting up costs by between 0%-6%, adding yet more millions to the cost of trade in the future.

The added tariff costs to raw materials are also likely to run into the tens of millions of pounds, and that will hit UK businesses harder than those on the continent.

Brexit: Challenges for our sector The British Coatings Federation (BCF) has been working closely with CEPE, their European federation, to ensure the best possible outcome for the coatings industry, both in the UK and in Europe.

The UK has a strong manufacturing base (three out of four cans of paint that are sold here are made in the UK) and maintaining this is critical. It is imperative that multi-national companies that have invested heavily in the UK in the past continue to do so.

Reacting to the resumption of Free Trade Agreement talks, the British Coatings Federation has called on the UK and EU to reconcile their remaining differences and negotiate an deal as

PDA Activities During 2020, all of our external events, including the Premier Trophy/Apprentice Awards were postponed with provisional dates now in place for 2021. The majority of internal meetings such as Management Board, Training and Education and our Health, Safety and Environmental Committee meetings have all been conducted online.

For the first time since its inception, the Association held no national Members’ Conference/Networking event in 2020. We sincerely hope, that once regulations will allow, we will be able to reinstate these events accordingly.

Conclusion Finally, I would like to say a few words of thanks to the following...

To my team at headquarters – You have all done an amazing job throughout this very difficult year, I’m really proud of you all.

To our marketing, social media and PR teams – Since last October, Catherine Saint Publicity, Shepherd PR and Empathic Visions started working together in a strategic way. Consequently, the promotion, visibility and awareness of the Association to both Members and consumers has been vastly improved. The increased communications to Members through a variety of channels during the pandemic has been well received, this included the creation of a dedicated web page that has been updated daily.

Lastly, to you, the Members – For facing the difficult challenges in your day-to-day working environment. From the feedback from clients that we do receive, you’ve done an amazing job.

To round up this review, none of as yet know what challenges may lay ahead in 2021. What we do know however, is that by pulling together, maintaining good communications with each other as required, we can and will succeed.

We painters and decorators are made of strong stuff, and I’m positive that we will overcome any uncertainties that lay ahead. We look forward to working alongside you, helping to promote your business and liaising with our Associate partners who represent a diverse range of products and services from the sector.

I will conclude with the words of Winston Churchill, which seem very apt at this moment in time, “If you're going through hell, keep going!”

Neil Ogilvie PDA Chief Executive Officer November 2020

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

...AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR? With the rollercoaster of a year that 2020 has been now drawing to a close and positive news emerging around dealing with the coronavirus, we spoke to a number of PDA Members to see how they were impacted due to the lockdown and new restrictions that followed.

Charlie Wheelan Johns of Nottingham

Kenny Robson Trident Maintenance Services We operate UK wide, from Scotland in the north to Southampton in the south.

In addition to repairs and decoration, we now carry out touchless disinfection services to assist our clients at dealing with virus contamination in the air and on surfaces. Our solution is known as ‘whole room decontamination’ and it treats everything within an area as opposed to just dealing with hard surfaces that are wiped.

How was your business affected this year?

The Coronavirus had an impact on our business in the months April-June, when our suppliers were closed during lockdown. However, since then we have seen a surge as our customers seek to spend their annual budgets in a shortened window. Our forecasts indicate we will have a considerably better year than we thought prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, which we are delighted with.

What plans do you have going forward?

We seek to maintain our rapid growth until we reach a comfortable level of turnover, that ensures our customer service standards never drop, and our margins are not compromised.

It is fairly easy to win business by cutting prices, however, it doesn’t make sense and that is not our goal. We will target elite customers that we know will not provide a credit risk and ones that we don’t have to tender at rock bottom rates.

We are a third generation privately owned business operating throughout the UK. We work in a variety of sectors from decorative, insurance reinstatement and facilities management. Our head office is in Nottingham and we also have an office in central London.

How was your business affected this year?

As a company we noticed a substantial drop in turnover during the first national lockdown in March, along with the supply of materials being reduced. This resulted in us placing a substantial number of operatives and staff on the Furlough / Job Retention Scheme.

This period of time allowed the remaining staff and administrative teams the opportunity to re-group, concentrate on recovering old debts and planning a way back to work.

Operatives returned to work as the situation became more transparent and we could ensure safe working procedures could be achieved. By July we were back to having a full workforce spread across all of our sites including our regular sub-contractors.

What plans do you have going forward?

We are confident that the way in which we have managed the pandemic so far will enable us to move forward successfully. We have really good relationships with a lot of our repeat business clients that will stand us in good stead for the future.

The whole team at Johns are constantly monitoring the situation and adapting to and overcoming any new issues. A variety of technology has been adopted and will continue to be utilised, for example Teams and Zoom meetings along with video calls to certain sites.

Graham Pittaway C.E.Pittaway & Son Ltd We were established over a century ago and are still a family owned business, currently being directed by fourth generation member.

Based in Hull, we execute all types of decorations both locally and throughout the UK, from high-end domestic to commercial and some industrial contracts.

We have always believed in apprenticeships and training as part of our ethos. Over the past decades we have reacted to opportunities and formed firstly Pittaway Special Coatings Ltd and latterly Pittaway Decorative Group Ltd, at the same time of never forgetting our core business.

How was your business affected this year?

Coronavirus did initially have an impact on our domestic clients, but these were mitigated by an increase in hospital, defence establishment and local authorities who took the opportunity to decorate areas usually fully staffed. We are fortunate not to rely too heavily on retail areas which are being particularly hard hit.

What plans do you have going forward?

Hopefully, according to reports, an inoculation programme is not far away, and if successful enough will see a return to a ‘normal’ trading environment. Our long-term future plans are based on the principle that Change is Inevitable. These changes will always offer scope for those who are alert enough react and embrace them. Who would have successfully predicted the current trade fifty years ago – not many!

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Mike Ambrose Ambrose Ellis Painting Contractors We carry a steady workforce of 30 decorators on average, covering the North West of England. We work with the large Construction companies on mainly commercial contracts such as new build apartments, schools, hotels and hospitals. We also have a small team working on the smaller private works.

How was your business affected this year?

The Coronavirus has disrupted some of the works slightly, but we work to all the Government guidelines and to date have generally kept to a 95% solid workforce at all times.

What plans do you have going forward?

We have a good order book going forward throughout next year with some sizeable commercial contracts, so hopefully and we all keep to the guidelines I am confident we can keep working relatively unscathed – fingers crossed!

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Josh Chase JC Painting & Decorating Steve Timbrell P&S Timbrell Decorators We are a well-established family run firm working throughout the Cotswolds, and sometimes even further. We undertake all types of decorating work for our customers with no real speciality area other than a desire to produce great results whatever the task or finish!

How was your business affected this year?

When the first lock-down was announced back in March, the uncertainty was particularly difficult to deal with. Having to decipher the meaning and impact of the restrictions took a bit of time.

We were lucky in having several large jobs ready to go, and fortunately I had also bought the materials in advance just in case.

As this year's gone on, things have become more normal, although getting supplies can still be slow, but there does seems to be plenty of work out there.

What plans do you have going forward?

I've always enjoyed the variety of our trade, and never wanted to concentrate or specialise on just one aspect. This has served us well over the years and meant that we've not risked having ‘all our eggs in one basket’. So I plan to carry on as normal in to 2021,and we hope to win a wide variety of jobs and work for as many customers as possible.

I have been a sole trader of JC Painting & Decorating for nine years and very recently took on my apprentice, Ben, who has been with me since August this year. I’m based in the South West covering the South Hams, Plymouth, Torbay, Dartmouth, Dartmoor and sometimes further afield. We do interior and exterior painting and decorating and are always up for a challenge.

How was your business affected this year?

Initially, when we went into lockdown in March, there were a few weeks that I stayed at home, not knowing what the right thing to do was, until they released further guidance on the construction industry being able to continue working, as long as proper measures were taken.

During the lockdown, I still managed to work from home painting our living room! But I was relieved and excited to be able to go back to work as long as my customers and I were safe to do so.

Fortunately, I have been able to continue working safely doing a lot of outside work during the spring and summer months, and ensuring that my customers and I are social distancing and using hand sanitiser etc.

I am also really pleased that my apprentice, Ben, was able to join the business in August despite the challenges of the pandemic. I have had some customers reschedule, due to being vulnerable or nervous about the pandemic, but with that said I have also noticed a huge demand for work to be carried out in my customers homes, probably due to the majority of people spending more time at home and looking at what needs to be done. I am pleased to say that I am currently booked up until mid-September 2021.

I am very grateful that I am able to continue working during this very uncertain time and hope that others in the trade are able to do the same.

What plans do you have going forward?

We are continuing to work safely, with all of the preventative measures in place to stop the spread of coronavirus. We will continue to do so for as long as we need to but hope that we can return to a more normal working environment soon.

Alex Lethbridge Lethbridge London Ltd Lethbridge London Ltd is a small company based in South West London. We specialise in high quality building and decorating projects, predominantly on period buildings throughout central London.

How was your business affected this year?

We closed down seven sites in March this year for five weeks, and then returned to work under the government’s coronavirus guidelines. We are encountering supply delays, limited material stocks, and the cost of materials has increased significantly.

With each Covid-19 scare our workforce is reduced, causing delays on our own sites. Although we have been very busy, we are finding it very time consuming implementing the continually changing regulations.

The main blockage to work in London is the coronavirus related traffic restrictions, which has seen central London come to a standstill. We have turned down several projects only a few miles away because we simply can’t get to them. The sooner a vaccine is developed, or we learn to live and work with the virus, the better.

What plans do you have going forward?

We plan to continue working safely following government guidelines, but we are concerned that next year the economy will collapse, which will affect the building and decorating industry. We are hoping for a new London Mayor who will promote business.

Steve Bennett S and C Painting Services We are a family run painting and decorating business based in the West Midlands since 2008. We have grown as company and in 2014 we were awarded Small Contractor of the Year from the PDA. We have built a great team of qualified, time served decorators and we travel throughout the UK to work with our existing and new clients.

Our work ranges from domestic dwellings up to new apartments blocks. We take pride in every single job we carry out and have a great team who work on all areas from painting, wallpapering to French polishing.

How was your business affected this year?

At the start of the pandemic I was very uncertain what was going to happen, a bit like everyone else. With sites and suppliers closing, it was very a stressful worrying time.

Fortunately, with the government help we could furlough our staff, and then we gradually brought them back as soon as we could. Our staff have had online COVID training, and we have done everything possible to help our operatives. From having hand sanitisers fitted to the back of the vans to making sure that the sites were COVID secure, and really just easing our employees back into working again.

What plans do you have going forward?

In the last few months, because we have a range of clients, we have been extremely busy.

We are looking to take an apprentice on, as I know I have to think of the future of the company even though we are in this pandemic. You have to keep being positive and hardworking, and hopefully we can come through this, as it means a lot to us all here at S&C

Don’t forget – You can find all the latest guidance at www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk 9

ASSOCIATION NEWS

ADVICE for

our Members

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

KEEP CALM AND STAY SAFE! GETTING YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER AS DEADLINE LOOMS

THE COUNTDOWN TO Christmas has begun and with it, the risk of people falling from ladders and stepladders as they hang decorations and dress the Christmas tree.

As the festive season approaches, the No Falls Foundation, in partnership with the Ladder Association, is urging everyone to take extra care – especially anyone who seldom uses a ladder and has little or no experience, or training, in how to use it safely.

The Foundation is asking everyone to take extra care and follow this simple advice: 1. Avoid using furniture, tables and chairs to stand on. Use a ladder or stepladder according to the height you wish to reach; 2. Before using the ladder make sure it’s in good condition. Check the rungs or treads and the stiles (sides) are not bent, damaged or loose.

Check the feet are clean, secure, and not worn out. Check locking devices are working and step ladder platforms are not buckled or cracked; 3. Position the ladder on a firm and level surface, facing the work wherever possible. Check the label for the ladder's maximum load and don’t exceed it. Step ladders must be fully opened, and any locking devices properly engaged. Never overreach - move the ladder to a better position; 4. Maintain a firm handhold and only let go for a moment when the task requires you to do so.

When using a step ladder for jobs that briefly require both hands, keep both feet on the same step or on the platform and your body (knees or chest) supported by the stepladder to maintain three points of contact. On a leaning ladder, don’t do any jobs that require you to let go for more than a few seconds e.g. starting a screw or nail; 5. Wear footwear with a good grip and move slowly and carefully up and down the ladder; The work of the Foundation is actively supported by the Ladder Association, and the charity is inviting all ladder users this Christmas to visit ladderassociation.org.uk/get-a-grip and watch Abbi’s Story - the story of how Abbi’s father was left paralysed from the waist down after falling 10 feet from a ladder.

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By Mike Parkes, Technical Director at GoSimpleTax THE DAWN OF a new year brings with it one unavoidable task for many painters and decorators: the need to file a self-assessment tax return.

If you’re a sole trader or running a small business, it’s time to dig out your invoice and receipt copies and start the arduous task of totting up your net income and working out your tax.

But, there is a way to make self-assessment easier and it comes down to one key thing – proactivity.

Waiting until the last possible moment before the deadline to sort through invoice copies and receipts for materials is a surefire way to make your self-assessment a painful and protracted process. By grabbing the bull by the horns, decorators can make self-assessments simpler and get a better understanding of their business, too.

Don’t rush it GoSimpleTax data shows that most people file their tax return online in the final 72 hours before the 31 January deadline. Many painters and decorators feel uncomfortable with the financial side of their business, and their natural instinct is to ignore it for as long as possible, but this can lead to costly mistakes.

Common errors include not adding all of your income, claiming for the wrong expenses, missing out details and assuming you don’t need to declare something if you’ve not made a profit.

Getting your affairs in order ahead of time gives you the opportunity to spot errors so you don’t end up being penalised by HMRC, and it lets you work out what tax bill you have coming so you can put plans in place to pay it.

As the tax year runs April to April, you have nine months to put in your tax return before the January 31 deadline, so there’s really no excuse to leave it to the last minute.

Practice good bookkeeping It’s very easy to lose track of invoices and expenses if you don’t proactively manage your finances all year round. It’s important that decorators keep good paper trails. If you process expenses manually, you need to keep a rigid filing system for your forms, invoices and receipts as any lost paperwork could lead to a hefty penalty from HMRC. You should also consider using an online invoicing system so you can invoice electronically, and access real-time data and all the information you need for a tax return at the click of a button.

Get into good habits Good financial management is about getting into the habit of staying on top of the pennies and pounds. It’s easy to neglect the paperwork when you’re busy working, but you’ll thank yourself for doing it when the time comes to do next year’s self-assessment.

By keeping a close eye on the books all year round, you’ll see where you could save money, understand what areas of your work are most profitable and be aware of upcoming payments.

Prepare for next year The Government’s support packages provided much needed financial assistance to the self-employed and small business owners. But each support scheme will ultimately come to an end and it’s essential that you understand the implications and tax liabilities that come with these emergency measures.

Take VAT deferrals for example, businesses were given the opportunity not to make VAT payments during a COVID-imposed deferral period and were instead given until 31 March 2021 to pay any liabilities that should have been paid in period 20 March 2020 to 30 June 2020. However, it was further announced that rather than paying this in full at the end of March 2021, businesses will be able to choose to make 11 equal instalments over 2021/22.

Anyone who took advantage of the VAT deferral can use this new payment scheme, but you will have to opt in, with that process expected to be in place in early 2021.

Effective tax planning beyond self-assessment It’s next year’s tax bill that will be dominated by coronavirus and it will pay to get ahead of the curve.

Firstly, you should complete your 2019/20 tax return and submit it to HMRC as soon as possible. You can also start compiling your 2020/21 tax return. This will give you a good understanding of next year’s potential tax bill, so you have plenty of warning and less chance of unexpected costs.

GoSimpleTax provides straightforward software for your self-assessment and invoicing. By keeping your financial information up to date, you can save yourself hours of valuable time and prevent the stress of completing your annual tax return when you could be focused on your business.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

EXTENSION OF FURLOUGH GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYERS

Stephen Concannon gets to grips with his Graco TurboForce II spray machine.

THE CORONAVIRUS JOB Retention Scheme (CJRS ) (otherwise known as the ‘furlough scheme’), which was originally due to end on 31 October, has been further extended until 31 March 2021.

The Job Support Scheme, which was originally scheduled to start on 1 November, has now been postponed until the extension of the CJRS ends.

Due to the extension of the CJRS to 31 March 2021, the Job Retention Bonus, which was a financial incentive for employers to retain staff after the CJRS was due to come to an end, will not be paid in February 2021. HMRC has stated that a retention incentive will be introduced in future ‘at the appropriate time’.

The extension to the CJRS applies to all eligible employers and employees in all four nations of the UK, although the extension to the CJRS has been introduced as a financial measure in light of the lockdown in England.

Employer eligibility UK employers are eligible for the extended Scheme provided they have a UK bank account and UK PAYE schemes. However, the Government ‘expects that’ publicly funded organisations will not use the scheme, as has already been the case for CJRS, but partially publicly funded organisations may be eligible where their private revenues have been disrupted.

Employee eligibility Unlike claim periods to 31 October, the CJRS is now open to new entrants. To be eligible for the extended CJRS, employees must have been on an employer’s PAYE payroll by 23:59 on 30 October 2020. This means a Real Time Information (RTI ) submission notifying payment for that employee to HMRC must have been made on or before 30 October 2020.

If employees were on the employer’s payroll on 23 September 2020 (notified to HMRC on an RTI submission on or before 23 September) and were made redundant or stopped working for the employer after that date (regardless of the reason for terminating the contract), they can also qualify for the CJRS as extended if the same employer re-employs them.

Neither employer nor employee needs to have previously used the CJRS to be eligible.

Details of CJRS Extension As before, furloughed employees will receive 80% of their current salary for hours not worked up to a maximum of £2,500.

Employers will be required to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions. For the average claim, this accounts for 5% of total employment costs.

This means that the extended scheme is more generous for employers than it was in September and October (i.e. it mirrors payments available under the CJRS in August).

The Government will review this arrangement in January 2021 to decide whether economic circumstances are improving enough to ask employers to contribute more to employees’ wages in respect of the unworked hours.

When claiming the CJRS grant for furloughed hours, employers will need to report and claim for a minimum period of 7 consecutive calendar days.

Claims relating to November 2020 must be made by 14 December 2020. Claims relating to each subsequent month should be submitted by day 14 of the following month. The closing date for claims up to and including 31 October remains 30 November 2020.

Grants payments are anticipated 6 working days after the first claims.

Furlough Agreements Subject to agreement, employees can be fully or flexibly furloughed as before. Employers should ensure that written agreements are put in place, as any retrospective furlough agreement made needs to be put in place by 13 November 2020 to be relied on for the purposes of a CJRS claim.

Please refer to our template full and flexible furlough agreements available on the Hub, which can be used both for new entrants to the CJRS following its extension and for employees that have been previously furloughed. We also have a template letter to extend a period of furlough.

To access the Law Hub where PDA Members will find additional practical DIY templates and guidance around topics such as employment and health and safety law, get a token code from the PDA office and sign up for free on www.markellaw.co.uk/registration

PAINTS MEAN PRIZES! A COMPETITION WIN has added a new asset to the business of a painter and decorator from Oakham. Stephen Concannon of Stephen Concannon Decorators, won an online competition run by the PDA as part of the Online Painting and Decorating Show.

Stephen had been planning to invest in a Graco spray machine within the next few years and was delighted to add the brand new asset to his business.

The PDA joined forces with a number of its Associate Partners, including Graco, to offer a series of competitions as part of the first ever Online P&D Show, a virtual version of an annual trade show that was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

As a Member of the PDA, Stephen was eligible to enter the online competition for the TurboForce II spray machine. Operating in the Rutland area for more than 20 years as, Stephen and his long-standing workmate Graham Plumb, work largely in the domestic sector, although they do take on some commercial projects.

Stephen said, “I’m very keen on spraying and I have dabbled before, but I was intending to invest in a new machine. I had planned to save up over the next couple of years for a Graco model as I know they are a good make and it’s a quality, sturdy machine. It’s a very good asset for my business. I always save up to invest in the best tools so we have the right equipment for the job.

“I was very fortunate to win, I never normally win anything so it was fantastic when I found out. It’s great that I’ve been able to introduce the spray machine so much sooner than I had planned.

“I go to the P&D Show every year and I missed being able to walk around and chat with the industry experts like we normally would, but it was good to explore the online version and it was certainly a winner for me.”

As well as working with Graco, the PDA teamed up with other Associate Partners including Mirka, Brewers, Purdy and Axus Décor, to run visitor competitions and provided a Samsung Galaxy tablet prize in another Members-only competition.

Lee Sullivan (pictured below) of LAPD Painting and Decorating, based near Chelmsford, won the tablet. He said, “I was really pleased. It’s the second time I’ve won a prize in a PDA competition, which is a nice bonus of my membership! I’ve been going to the show for many years and enjoy catching up with colleagues and learning about new products from the experts.

“I’m going to do a bit of everything with the tablet. It will be very useful for my business when I do quotes, I like to take photos and it’ll be great to use the tablet instead of my phone, it’s going to become a really useful business tool.”

The PDA is a long-standing supporter of the P&D Show and the Association’s AGM is usually held at the trade event.

PDA Chief Executive, Neil Ogilvie said, “I’d like to congratulate our winners on their success, it is always a pleasure for us to see Members benefiting from industry events and PDA activities.

“I’d also like to thank our Associate Partners, including Graco, Mirka, Brewers, Purdy and Axus Décor, for kindly providing prizes for our online competitions at the show.”

11

ASSOCIATION NEWS

S R E F F O E EXCLUSIV S R E B M E M A FOR PD

As part of the PDA’s ongoing pursuit of providing useful benefits to our Members, we’ve teamed up with our Associate Partners to bring you some exclusive offers!

DECORATE YOUR FIRST PROJECT ON LICK Lick have launched Lick Pro, their dedicated service for decorating professionals.

More than a traditional trade account, Lick Pro makes it easier for you to focus on what you love - decorating. With a Lick Pro account you have access to exclusive trade prices, priority customer service, fast delivery and a lot more coming soon.

Lick are giving PDA Members the chance to win everything they need* to decorate their first project with Lick - for free! So you can see for yourself that Lick is trade-quality paint with a carefully curated colour palette.

Simply sign up for a Lick Pro account by emailing pro@lickhome.com by 31 December 2020 and you will be entered automatically into the draw. *The winner will win Lick paint or wallpaper up to the value of £250 to use on their next suitable project. Equivalent to over 15L of paint. The winner will be announced in January 2021.

GET 2021 OFF TO A CLEAN EXTREME START ive a voucher Five lucky winners will rece the three for a 5litre can of each of ich can be Clean Extreme products wh C store. redeemed in any local CD

Whether customers prefer a matt or an eggshell finish, Clean Extreme products can tolerate repeated scrubbing in a way that traditional paints can’t, without diminishing the appearance of the paint. Clean Extreme’s Ultimate Opacity formula for white paint means that it’s possible to easily cover darker shades, ideal for an end-of-tenancy maintenance cycle.

Importantly, Clean Extreme Mould Inhibiting paint has a built-in fungicide which helps prevent mould growth on the paint film by offering a layer of protection that can’t be washed off.

Simply email your details to extreme@the-decorator.co.uk by 31 January 2021 for your chance to win!

12

Winners agree to the use of his/her name to be used in any publicity material, as well as their entry. Any personal data relating to the winners or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current [UK] data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.

THE SURE CHOICE FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY INTRODUCING THE NEW 99.9% VOC FREE* DULUX TRADE AIRSURE RANGE

7KH XOWUD ORZ 9RODWLOH 2UJDQLF &RPSRXQGV 92&6 LQ WKH QHZ Dulux Trade Airsure range minimise the impact on indoor air TXDOLW\** ZKLOH PDLQWDLQLQJ SURIHVVLRQDO UHVXOWV

We promise our paint will give you the perfect colour with a uniform finish and the coverage stated, or we’ll replace it. Visit dulux.co.uk/promise Terms and conditions apply. Claims must be made within 6 months of purchase. Proof of purchase required. Colour claims limited to 10L per customer.

Manufacturer’s tips and instructions must have been followed. UK purchases only.

*Based on in-can VOC content, measured in accordance with ISO 11890-2:2013. ** Respectively, ‘Ultra Low’ as this product is 99.9% VOC Free with ‘MINIMAL’ VOC content (0-0.29%), as GHȴQHG E\ WKH 92& *OREH VFKHPH RSHUDWHG E\ WKH %ULWLVK &RDWLQJV )HGHUDWLRQ DQG PLQLPLVLQJ LPSDFW RQ LQGRRU DLU TXDOLW\ DV LQGHSHQGHQWO\ WHVWHG IRU HPLVVLRQV LQFOXGLQJ IRUPDOGHK\GH 792& 7692& DQG &DW $ % FDUFLQRJHQV &RPSOLDQW ZLWK WKH HPLVVLRQV OLPLWV FULWHULD LQ %5(($0 1HZ &RQVWUXFWLRQ 8. DQG ΖQWHUQDWLRQDO /((' Y :(//

ASSOCIATION NEWS

HSE SPOT CHECKS TO ENSURE WORKPLACES ARE COVID-SECURE AS BUSINESSES RE-OPEN and workers return to the workplace, employers are having to adapt their working environments to manage the risk posed by coronavirus.

To minimise the risk of infection in the workplace, HSE is carrying out spot checks and inspections on businesses to ensure they are COVID-secure – calling and visiting premises to speak to duty-holders to check the measures they’ve put in place are in line with the current guidance.

The spot checks and inspections will be on all types of business, in all areas. During the checks they will provide advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers, customers and visitors. Where businesses are not managing this, HSE will take immediate action in one of the following ways: • providing specific advice • issuing enforcement notices • stopping certain work practices until they are made safe • prosecution where a business fails to comply Being COVID-secure means being adaptable to the current guidelines, and HSE’s inspection approach will adapt as workplaces in different sectors manage the

coronavirus risks that apply to them. Most employers want to do the right thing, and HSE is there to help and provide advice.

HSE are also working closely with local authorities assisting them in their targeting of premises in the sectors they regulate such as hospitality and retail. If you receive a call from HSE, you must participate in the spot

AX g n i k o o #L

check as you have a duty under health and safety law to engage with them. Please note that the call will currently come up as an unknown number.

You can find more HSE advice on making your workplace COVID-secure at www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus There is also a video showing what you can expect during an inspection at https://youtu.be/ZjGK1OiByls

X E T S- KET

™

JAC

DEMO VIDEO:

LIGHTWEIGHT, BREATHABLE MESH

14 WWW.AXUSDECOR.COM

ASSOCIATION NEWS

t fi ’s ck en sto om in W w No

WINTER IS HERE!

Stay warm and dry this winter inside and out

PDA FLEECE Available in Navy and Black Top quality ‘symmetry fleece’ adjustable shockcord hem, two zipped lower pockets Available in sizes M, L, XL and XXL

£17.99

A whole line of affordable work wear and sundries such as quotation pads and van stickers are available to purchase through the PDA Website – Most clothing items are also now available in a choice of mens or womens fit!

Login to the Members area of the PDA website and click on ‘PDA Mechandise’ tab

NEW IN STOCK!

BASEBALL CAP PDA branded, one size with adjustable strap

£9.00

FACE MASK Non-PPE washable face mask, 100% breathable.

£4.00 SOFT SHELL JACKETS Available in Navy and Black Water Repellent finish, wind resistant, easy drying fabric, ideal to be worn casual or with collar & tie. Available in sizes M, L, XL and XXL

£32.99

w w w. p a i n t i n g d e c o r a t i n g a s s o c i a t i o n . c o . u k Alternatively call Head Office on 0247635 3776 or email sam@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk 15

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

TOOLSdown A QUICK Q&A WITH PDA MEMBER How long have you been a painter and decorator?

I’ve been working for eight years

Do you have a specialist area?

Period properties and vine houses.

Jamie Wakefield

How long have you been a Member of the PDA? Two years

How has membership of the PDA benefitted you?

It has benefitted me by broadening my contacts and also helped me win jobs when the clients see that I am a PDA Member.

How do you market your business?

I do have a small advert in a local leaflet, however, my business comes mainly from word of mouth referrals and repeat customers.

Are you on social media?

Yes, Facebook, YELL, plus my own website.

Any tips on maintaining a successful business?

Maintaining a work life balance is key. Some simple points would be to remain punctual, have good presentation (van and uniform) and also having a showcase of work with referrals for potential clients to see.

What would you say to encourage young people to become a painter and decorator?

There are massive bonuses from being a decorator. The main one would be not being stuck in one place all the time. We get to meet many different clients and work in many places. From town centre apartments to huge mansions in the countryside.

Variety is the spice of life!

Are you currently training any apprentices?

Not at this point in time, but it is something I would be willing to do in the future.

Apprenticeships are very important to make sure we have skilled decorators in the future.

What are the most annoying problems you come across?

Following on from poor tradespeople who have been on the job before you. The usual bad plaster, silicone on painted surfaces etc.

What do you most like about your job?

The flexibility of working in many different locations and doing many different types of decorating. My favourite thing is seeing how happy I make my customers by transforming their property, it gives me a real sense of pride.

What new products would you recommend?

I’m not sure how new the product is, but the Gyproc mesh repair patches are definitely a favourite of mine.

Jamie is a PDA Member based in Scarborough, you can call him on 07715 406360 or visit www.j-w-decorating.co.uk

16

Celebrating 20 years of Abranet® dust free sanding PIONEERS OF DUST FREE SANDING

Think outside the box. Keep dust inside the box. That’s the core idea of Mirka Abranet®, which saw the light of day 20 years ago.

For further information or to arrange a demonstration, please contact Customer Services on 01908 866100

www.mirka.co.uk

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

FREE SUPPORT

ONLINE PRODUCT TRAINING Coo-Var have a solution for every painting problem, from difficult floors, adhesion issues, applying two pack paints, priming and much more. Now Coo-Var have announced they are now providing online product training for everyone!

Whether you need training on a specific product, group training or interested in knowing more about Coo-Var’s range, they are there to help guide you. The technical team are also available for tailored specifications and on hand to help with recommended applications. Coo-Var’s product training packages include: • Floor, sport and line marking paints • Safety paints • Varnishes and Oils • Specialist Paints • High-performance Paints • Hammercote and paints for metal • Specialist Primers • CPDs You can book training via www.coo-var.co.uk/book-product-trainingcpd The Coo-Var technical services team are happy to help, on 01482 328053 or email info@coo-var.co.uk

@coovar /coovarpaints

18

@CooVarPaints www.coo-var.co.uk

THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK has had a seismic effect on the economy, some apprentices have been made redundant without completing their apprenticeships, while others are at risk of redundancy. To help these apprentices the Department for Education have recently launched the Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices.

The service provides clear, accessible advice and guidance to individuals on the impact of redundancy, their options and next steps. There will also be opportunities to help redundant apprentices to identify new apprenticeship and employment opportunities, and, where they are eligible, complete their current apprenticeship.

The service is made up of three main elements: • Advice and guidance on the impact of redundancy • Signposting to local and national support services • An apprenticeship vacancy sharing service If you are aware of any employers who would like to recruit a redundant apprentice or offer new apprenticeship opportunities, visit www.tinyurl.com/hireapprentice or call 0800 015 0600 to find out more.

If you’re an apprentice who have been made redundant please visit www.tinyurl.com/FacingRedundancy or call 0800 015 0400 to speak to an adviser.

Do you have what it takes?

PAPERHANGER 2 0 2 1

APPRENTICE

ON I N A S S O C I AT I

WITH

1 June 2021

Download the entry form at www.tinyurl.com/pda-aph21 or request a copy by emailing yvonne@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk Deadline for entry 23 April 2021

ADVICE AND TIPS

I think we can all agree that we’re hoping 2021 is better than 2020. I can’t imagine you’ve had the year you’ve planned, or if you have, can I borrow your crystal ball? Yes, there’s uncertainty in the year ahead, but there always is. Just because there’s more uncertainty, doesn’t mean we can’t plan what we want to achieve.

Are you planning to fail?

Not having any clear goals is like getting in your vehicle and just

Develop a Plan C state of mind

driving... Hoping you’ll end up somewhere you want to be. Most of us

Sometimes things really go awry. Perhaps you or your partner can’t work

now put our destination in the satnav, so why not do that with other

due to illness. Maybe your van blows up and you can’t afford another

areas of our lives?

one. Big stuff does happen.

There will always be unexpected challenges ahead, but having a Plan B, and even a Plan C, can really help us to work around them.

Plan C is all about what attitude you’re going to have if things really do go tits up. It’s about developing a positive and responsible state of mind. You can’t do it overnight, it takes time, but believe me, it really

Keep your Plan A simple

stands you in good stead. Some people are lucky to have a Plan C state

With goals, simpler is usually better. I have one main personal goal, and

of mind already, some of us need to develop it.

one main business goal. As Gary Keller argues so well in my favourite

If you think a positive step to big upsets is sitting at home all day

business book, The One Thing, having a singular focus means you’ve a

playing Call Of Duty, then that’s your decision. But why not take some

higher chance of getting to your destination.

time out to go on a business course, learn a new skill, dig a wildlife pond,

My personal goal is to get our house and garden properly spruced up

help others by doing some voluntary work.

in 2021. My business goal is to hit a particular monthly turnover

Plan C is about looking at the bigger picture, being positive and being

(no, I’m not telling you what it is, but you can ask me in 2022 if I

accountable to your better self. Taking responsibility in the true sense

managed to hit it).

of being able to respond in the best way you can.

I’ve said before that I like breaking down these big goals into 90 day chunks, this allows us to see progress and give ourselves a quarterly

Next Steps

review. I look at what progress I’ve made towards my 90 day targets once

The most important thing with goals and plans is accountability. Firstly,

a week on a Friday.

write them down – your Plan A, Plan B and your mindset approach for Plan C. Research has shown that writing down a goal increases the

The importance of a Plan B

chances of achieving it by 40%.

Plan B is all about having a clear idea what to do if there are road

For 90 day planning, I suggest you put a reminder in your diary or

blocks. There’s always something you can do to make progress, whether

calendar to review your goals every quarter: end of March, June,

it’s a personal goal or business goal.

September and December. Next, share your goals and plans with

If your personal goal is to get fit but you can’t get to the gym, have a

someone – that can also have a massive effect on success.

Plan B for how to exercise at home. If you wanted to get the garden done

Benjamin Franklin, scientist, philosopher, diplomat and a founding

but it’s been raining for three weeks and you can’t get into the garden,

father of the modern USA once pointed out, “If you fail to plan, you are

sow stuff in pots or go and buy some gravel for a new path.

planning to fail” – So why not plan to succeed?

As for business goals, what if you get postponements or cancellations due to Covid or another reason? Have back up jobs. Do some online

Want to know more?

courses. Get your accounts done really early.

Find me on social media!

Don’t wait until you need a Plan B to decide what your Plan B is, write down your options now. Not having a Plan B allows you to let yourself off the hook all too easily.

20

with Charlie Budd

Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn

Charlie Budd @thetallphotographer @charliebudd Charles Budd

DULUX TRADE STERISHIELD An ideal hygiene solution Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond is a tough, scrubbable, Anti-Bacterial paint available in 14,000 colours and in both a Matt & Eggshell finish, making it an ideal hygiene solution for nearly any setting.

• Ideal in high use areas that need regular cleaning • Reduces bacteria in just 2 hours* • Stain resistant and available in washable finishes • Water-based and non-hazardous *Tested to ISO 220196 with over 90% reduction in E. coli and over 65% reduction in S. aurous after 2 hours and 99% reduction within 12 hours.

Visit your local store or visit duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk today

ADVICE AND TIPS

LEADING PLATFORM FOR home renovation and design, Houzz.co.uk, have spoken with their community of professionals to share their advice on how they plan to sustain their businesses during this uncertain time...

THINGS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BUSINESS NOW Keep clients up to date

Invest in marketing now

Find ways to be helpful

It’s important now more than ever to keep your clients up to date on the status of a project. Nate of Nate Fischer Interiors, an interior designer on Houzz, explains, “Keep your clients in the loop. They are probably as concerned about the status and future of their project as you are about the future of your business.”

You may have been fortunate in the past to get projects through word of mouth and that channel may well continue, but to guard against the possibility that clients could be hesitant to get started on projects, you’ll want to broaden your reach. “Invest in marketing adverts toward your demographic,” Susan of Savvy Interiors says, “don’t assume they’ll find you.”

It’s understandably a time of anxiety. One positive way to channel that anxious energy is to redirect it toward helping others, whether they’re your local healthcare providers, homeowners looking to renovate, or your fellow decorators.

“Don’t give away your services, but give away advice in your communities,” says Susan, “create ways to problem-solve for them now, so they feel connected to you in six months and remember how you helped.”

Display your work With people in their homes more, many are turning to the internet. So it pays to make the most of any increased internet traffic by ensuring your online presence looks its best. Architect on Houzz, Angus of Fiftypointeight Architecture + Interiors agrees, “It’s important to communicate our recently completed projects, but also to reflect on past projects, as well as use our marketing to be very clear about the services we offer and the process we go through with each homeowner.”

Think long-term During any uncertain times, it’s easy to focus on the here and now, rather than taking in the bigger picture.

Professionals on Houzz advise taking a step back and thinking long-term.

“As much as possible, we’re trying to remain positive and make the best of the current situation,” explains Angus, “it’s allowed us to reflect on where we are and where we want to go in the future. We can then shape our marketing strategy to try to achieve this.”

Clean up internal processes If your business pipeline is slow, one way to stay calm and productive is to focus on the internal processes and tasks you never have time for when busy.

“I’m going to dive into refining our process and communication flow internally and externally from first contact to project archive, and all the threads inbetween,” Jenni of Jenni Leasia Interior Design says.

Houzz is the leading platform for home renovation and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish.

On Houzz, customers can find design inspiration, research, hire home professionals and get advice for their projects. For professionals, Houzz Pro provides a software solution that empowers industry pros to stand out, manage their lead pipeline and win clients. www.houzz.co.uk

PDA Members get the first three months of any Houzz Pro package at 50% off, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. Visit info.houzz.com/PDA-offer to register.

FIND OUT ALL THE FAQS with Charlie Budd

Did you know that all the previous FAQ features by Charlie Budd are available on our website?

Check out the Advice section for tips on everything related to marketing and improving your business profile, such as these points on having an effective website...

Make it easy to contact you

A few good blogs show you’re an expert

Your website may have been put together some time ago, so make sure all the ways a customer can get hold of you, mobile, Facebook, Instagram etc, are easy to find - the bottom of your homepage as well as a dedicated ‘Contact’ page (if your site has one!).

What’s the point of blogging? It shows your expertise to potential clients, it shows you’re helpful (giving away useful decorating tips), it helps more people find your website so you get more enquiries, and it improves your site’s profile on search engines like Google.

Have good photos of your work

Testimonials are gold

People want to see what work you’ve done, so whatever you do, don’t use stock images - they can make your website look fake. Take a few photos on each job you do, and make sure they’re clear. Take them during the day for the best light and make sure it’s tidy.

Testimonials are the next best thing after a personal recommendation. How many of us scroll down to Amazon reviews before choosing a product? The more testimonials you have, the better.

‘About’ section should have a photo of you

It’s all about trust

An ‘About’ page should give an overview of your business, but I’d make it a bit personal if you can. I really recommend having a photo of yourself, preferably smiling. As humans, we emotionally connect with other human faces.

Does your website instil trust in the mind of a potential customer? Mentioning qualifications, and membership of trade associations like the PDA can help. A good website can help people to trust you before they even pick up the phone. Don’t undervalue yourself and your business: be online, look good, and get more work.

Make it clear what services you provide

22

Domestic or commercial? Do you have any specialities? Really impress a potential customer by writing a handful of blogs, or ‘how to’ articles to show your expertise.

www.the-decorator.co.uk

gallery

The

DRM Decorating Services Ltd Complete restoration of windows using wood preservatives and two-part filler, Sikkens undercoat and gloss for the windows and door.

Borthwick Decorators Ltd Exterior Painting of 90 Apartments in Trinity, Edinburgh.

Materials used were Dulux Trade Ultimate Opaque and Metalshield Gloss in various colours.

Fine Finish Definitely a ‘fine finish’ to this static caravan in Morecambe.

The uPVC doors and windows were sprayed with HMG's PVC Pro Finish in satin black.

Smithdec Contract Decorators A lot of preparation took place to get the surfaces into pristine condition before Benjamin Moore paints were used throughout to give a beautiful light and modern feel.

You too can enter The Gallery for free!

For your chance to win £100 of vouchers from Brewers and feature on our front cover, send in your pictures to thegallery@the-decorator.co.uk For use in the magazine and to be considered for the cover, we need high resolution, clear images.

24

On the Cover John Kerry Painter and Decorator /jkdecor77

Bluebird Interiors The original cream in this 1930’s house modernised with Dulux Trade in chic grey, trims with Diamond Satinwood and the banister sanded and oiled with Osmo Oil.

V J Lafferty Painter & Decorator This unique child’s bedroom and bathroom was created with a striking green Johnstone’s gloss. The bathroom wallpaper is set off with Marston & Langringer Eggshell in ash grey.

All wallpaper supplied by Brewers.

With over 30 years since the last redecoration the interior of the church was very dirty and smoke marked from the candles. Extensive cleaning and preparation were required before any of the painting could start. Requiring three coats of Magnolia Sandtex Masonry to get a solid finish, and Armstead in complementing grey shades used for the feature work, it took 19 days to complete the project.

See the full details on pages 30-32.

£100 of vouchers from Brewers are now on the way to John Kerry for their winning Gallery entry!

Sponsored by

25

SECTOR NEWS

P&Dnews BRITS SET TO SPEND £47 BILLION ON HOME IMPROVEMENT 2021 IS SET to be a year of transformations for British homes, with more than half of Brits (59%) claiming they will be making home improvements, with the average spend working out at £6,531 per household.

Decorating is revealed as the top home improvement (69%), with grey being named as 2021’s colour of choice, followed by cream and blue, according to new research by Attic Self Storage.

The new research uncovers that 43% are looking to upgrade their garden and outside areas; 34% are buying new furniture; almost a fifth are looking to extend.

It’s no surprise following lockdown that one in three surveyed are planning on creating more space by reworking a room.

Top colours for Home Improvements 1. Grey 2. Cream 3. Blue 4. White 5. Green Frederic de Ryckman de Betz, Founder and CEO of Attic Self Storage, comments, “With lockdown returning and space being a key motivator for both movers and improvers, to help, we have worked with experts from all over the UK to create a free downloadable booklet with top tips for those making home improvements or buying a new property.” www.atticstorage.co.uk

MAMMOTH PAINT GIVEAWAY TO BRIGHTEN COMMUNITIES BASED IN NORTH Tyneside, Tynemouth Decorators Ltd endeavour to support their customers and local community in any way they can and have been involved in numerous projects over the years to help those in need. This year has been no exception, this time with the intention of giving away free paint to charities and those who could do with a splash of colour or a simple refresh.

Family Gateway were kind enough to hold the ‘free paint giveaway’ at their Hub, which allowed Tynemouth Decorators to give away masses of paint to charities, care homes and members of the public who needed it most.

Family Gateway were fantastic support in the organisation and publicity of the event, making it a huge success.

The giveaway was hosted on two days in September and allowed people to come to the Hub and pick up the paint they needed. Brewers Newcastle have worked with Tynemouth Decorators on numerous projects and donated 270 litres to the giveaway.

Tynemouth Decorators intend to create more events like this in the future, in the hopes to make all the difference in their local community. They will be looking to host another paint giveaway in 2021, in addition to various other projects.

DELIVERING COLOUR ACROSS THE UK

26

WITH THEIR MOVE to Hemel Hempstead high street and partnership with British manufacturer HMG Paints Ltd, Topdec Decorating Supplies has been fulfilling a record number of custom colour matches and orders, whilst other suppliers have suffered with stock shortages.

“We are proud to have supported decorators throughout the pandemic and will continue do so, all the way up to Christmas, with Click and Collect and nationwide delivery”, said Brian Green at Topdec.

“We have seen a huge upturn with our HMG Paints product range at their Trade Contract Matt emulsion, which is increasingly becoming the ‘go to’ for the Deccys.

We have also seen record amounts of colour matches completed same-day, right here in the shop, of their high quality Vinyl Matt Emulsion, and sent out to our customers across the UK.”

HMG Paints Ltd have an unbroken supply chain with Topdec, with all products manufactured at HMG’s plant in Manchester. Following concerns of paint shortages, Topdec have been comfortable in the knowledge that their core portfolio products are British made.

“We are delighted with our partnership with Topdec which has gone from strength to strength following the addition of a HMG tinting machine at their store. Their level of customer service is exceptional, you only have to view their social media profiles to see all their positive customer feedback”, said Danny Cleary of HMG Paints.

Customers can order online and enjoy advantages such as, next day delivery, pin point order tracking and free delivery on larger orders or Click and Collect at Topdec Decorating Supplies, 18 High Street, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3AE. www.topdecbrush.co.uk

Professional masking solutions Helping you choose the right tape for the job. Saving time, money and giving you a SHUIHFW Č´QLVK

www.ciret.co.uk

sales@ciret.co.uk

+44 (0) 2392 457450

2021

TRENDS

Now that we are spending more time in the home, we will be using colours that feel friendly and relatable. Colours that are warm, welcoming, and easy to live with, and that make us proud of our design decisions. These thoughtful choices convey a sense of ease and familiarity and are a result of wanting to find calm within the chaos of our turbulent world. We want our homes to be places not just for rest and recovery, but also for rejuvenation and inspiration. Farrow & Ball colour curator Joa Studholme reveals how to use this year’s trend colours in the home...

Preference Red No. 297 Modern Emulsion

Pitch Blue

Stiffkey Blue

Complimentary Colours White All White Neutral Ammonite

Mid Strong

Ultra Marine Blue

Purbeck Stone Lake Red

Clean and Timeless Blues The blues best suited to anchoring our homes in 2021 are cleaner tones like lively Pitch Blue, fresh Ultra Marine Blue, and the darker, inkier Stiffkey Blue. These uncomplicated shades feel familiar, like memories from our childhood, so have a soothing effect in the home despite their cooler undertones.

For a simple but immersive colour experience, use the colour on both walls and woodwork, using Modern Eggshell and Modern Emulsion to

Rich and Warm

create the perfect family environment that is wipeable and scuff-proof!

In challenging times, we crave warm tones that will enrich our homes and create cosy sanctuaries away from the outside world. Luxurious colours like Preference Red can be added to the most neutral of palettes by using them in rooms we use at the end of the day, when we most want to relax and be comforted.

If however, you want a more formal and traditional feel, then team these blues with All White or Ammonite on the woodwork and they will sing even more, especially when used in well-lit spaces or on central kitchen islands. However, when used in areas deprived of light or in evening rooms lit by table lamps, they become much

In 2021 we will have moved away from dark charcoals and blues and

richer and more luxurious in feel.

towards the warmer tones of nature, like Deep Reddish Brown and Tanner’s Brown, which are strong and subdued but achingly fashionable.

Incredibly chic by day and cosy by night, they bring a grounded but luxurious atmosphere that is thought-provoking as well as soothing, particularly when paired with other hues found in the natural world.

All three of these chocolatey tones are particularly suited to bookshelves and library shelving when used in Modern Eggshell.

Deep Reddish Brown

Tanner’s Brown

Complimentary Colours White Dimity Neutral Joa’s White

28

Mid Strong

Preference Red

Jitney Studio Green

@FarrowandBall

Ultra Marine Blue W29 Modern Emulsion

@farrowandball

www.farrow-ball.com

TRENDS Light Blue No.22 Modern Emulsion and Green Smoke No.47 Modern Eggshell

Jitney

Dead Salmon

Complimentary Colours White Slipper Satin Neutral Off White

Mid Strong

India Yellow

Card Room Green Mahogany

Earth Colours The palette of colours we want to use in the home has expanded, and we are looking to introduce warmer tones to add personality and elegance while still remaining comfortable. Surrender to the urge to escape and find refuge in the beauty of nature by using the colours of the earth.

Soft, understated Jitney is the perfect base colour to build upon, and so is particularly suited to kitchens where we can layer other earth colours on units and islands, to reconnect with the elements of land, clean air, and natural light.

The stronger, more mushroom tone of Dead Salmon is just as subtle

Natural Greens Bringing the elements of the natural world into our interiors

as Jitney and has an even more aged, earthy look, making it feel

encourages personal growth as well as evoking a feeling of calm. All

familiar and easy to live with. India Yellow is somewhat stronger and

greens reinforce our connection to nature and create the perfect

moodier – the perfect colour for 2021 with its mix of aged ease and

welcoming start to the journey through your home. This makes

modern strength.

greens a particularly popular choice for use in hallways, where they

Modern Eggshell with its incredible knock-proof quality should be used on woodwork, while washable Modern Emulsion is ideal for the walls.

cause the rooms off it to feel bigger and lighter.

The traditional grey undertone of Treron makes it feel as if it is part of your family, and, like the slightly bluer Green Smoke, it has an irresistibly inviting deepness and weathered familiarity. These are soft, smoky colours that embrace you on your return home.

The more olive-coloured Sap Green is perfect for those who want to embrace a stronger colour with a mid-century modern feel, but still stay in touch with nature and benefit from the protective and grounding attributes of using green in the home.

Green Smoke

Treron

Complimentary Colours White Shadow White Neutral Drop Cloth

Sap Green India Yellow No.66 Estate Emulsion Mid Strong

Broccoli Brown Tanner’s Brown

Joa Studholme Colour Curator Joa Studholme has worked with Farrow & Ball for over 20 years, developing the colour range and consulting on design projects.

Much of Joa ’s work involves helping people see how Farrow & Ball paints work together to create a truly decorated feel. Working with the paints and papers every day, Joa has a wealth of experience on both residential and commercial projects.

She is also prolific public speaker, spreading the word about how colour can transform a room through her popular Colour in the Home talks and books How to Decorate and Recipes for Decorating.

29

CASE STUDY

A

n out of the blue phone call brought John Kerry Painter and Decorator back to a Church restoration project. John told The Decorator the details and scale of the project...

We had worked at the church in 2014 and had been promised more

two complementing grey shades in Armstead for the feature work.

work in the future. However, plans were put on hold due to the ill

With the scale of the project, work was assisted by Adam Featherstone

health of the priest and the gentleman that was responsible for looking

Decorating Services.

after the upkeep of the building. Fast forward to late September 2020

Before any of the painting could start, we had to sort out the access

and we had a call from Father Cook at another church in the area,

and preparation. With the layout of the church and the raised alter,

where we had previously worked. He asked if we could look at the job

one of the first issues to overcome was getting the 17m Spider Picker

at St Mary’s having no idea we had previously worked in the building –

up to access the ceilings. We opted for scaffolding to give us better

That’s what I call serendipity!

access to the windows.

After the initial consultation and site visit, a plan of work was scoped out and a colour scheme devised using Sandtex Magnolia Masonry and

We also had the heavy work of moving the solid timber pews so we could sheet the floors and provide access.

Scaffolding and a Spider Picker were required to access all parts of the church.

Water damage from a leaking roof required repair before painting could begin.

30

CASE STUDY

About St Mary’s The first permanent Catholic church to be established in the 19th century, St. Mary's on Norton Road, Stockton-on-Tees, was opened on 7 July 1842 and dedicated by Bishop Mostyn. The lovely building, designed by architect A.W. Pugin, which cost £7,000 with 242 yards of land for a cemetery, was the result of the untiring exertions of the Reverend J. Dugdale the young priest who ministered to the congregations of Stockton and the new town of Middlesbrough. Rev. Dugdale died, much lamented by them, on 10 October 1847 at age 41.

Repainting the Past

31

CASE STUDIES

The preparation work was extensive as the roof had been leaking and

All of this meant that it required three coats of the Sandtex Magnolia to

areas of the previous paint were peeling away. The original paint was

give a solid finish. We then moved onto the windows for their repair,

scraped back and filled, and then we applied two coats of Zinsser

preparation and then final finish.

Watertite to seal the area and prevent any possible efflorescence coming

It took 19 days of work to complete the project. A sign of the times

through. The bottom of some columns needed some cement repairs where

was that after lockdown the first use of the church was for a funeral.

water had got into the stone.

However, when life goes back to normal the restored building will be

It had been over 30 years since the church had been decorated, and as you can imagine, it was very dirty and smoke marked from the candles.

These two images show the original colour alongside the new and fresher colour scheme.

John Kerry is a Member of the PDA based in Stockton-on-Tees.

You can call him on 07769 677694 or visit www.john-kerry.co.uk

32

ready for more joyous gatherings.

THE

ORIGINAL

MULTI-SURFACE CONSTRUCTION SEALANT & ADHESIVE

ob1original.com

CASE STUDY

T

hese private residential properties at Brearley Hall, Old Whittington, are built on the foundations of the original orangery dating back to late 1800s. Stuart Yates now has a full order book for next year, with 11 of the 16 properties on the site booked in for repainting, all based on this first example! Stuart outlined the project...

Overhaul at Brearley Hall

To start the project, the external doors along with several window sills were completely replaced, all in hardwood. Smaller repairs were made to other windows using the Repair Care system.

Rendered areas were patched and made good prior to painting, which did delay the project whilst waiting for the work to be done.

We used Caparol Halfprimer to prime and undercoat the woodwork and then finished the windows with Sikkens Satura in British Standard 10B15,a pale cream colour. The doors were finished with Dulux Trade Weathershield high gloss in Dark Green.

Stuart Yates Decor is a Member of the PDA based in Chesterfield. You can get in touch with him on 01246 203 562 or visit www.stuartyatesdecor.co.uk

34

CASE STUDY

Beacon of light

A long-standing partnership with Trinity House sees Ian Williams Ltd privileged to get involved with improving and preserving some of the UK’s most impressive heritage maritime buildings.

This time the iconic 19th Century grade II listed Nash Point Lighthouse has benefited from the specialist application of sustainable and durable coatings, applied with the technical challenges of working on the impressive 37-metre cylindrical tower The render was sealed and finished using two coats of Caparol Thermasan self-cleaning masonry paint.

A full detailed estimate and price had been agreed prior to starting the

with balcony and lantern. The project lasted five weeks in total.

Trinity House traditionally use Brilliant White with features picked out in Emerald Green for all their stations. The Ian Williams

project, but after discussion with the customer we did go slightly over

team used Rust-Oleum Murfill Waterproofing Paint on the main walls

budget in order to achieve the finish required.

as it’s 100% waterproof and water vapour permeable, has excellent

In the end, the customer was extremely happy with the finished

resistance against ageing, protects reinforced concrete against

project and it now stands proudly on the estate. We have now

carbonisation and corrosion, and the microporous structure ensures

been booked in for further work early in 2021.

that the base is constantly able to breathe.

These make it an ideal product to apply to an exposed lighthouse station on the Bristol Channel!

Ian Williams Ltd are Members of the PDA with branches nationwide. You can get in touch with them on 01454 328 000 or visit www.ianwilliams.co.uk

35

CASE STUDY

T

aking on a restoration project finds PDA Member Keith Blackburn having to turn his skill to historical investigator...

The Case of the

Missing Mural in London, W2 When I arrived at this mid-Victorian property in the Marble

The current owner told me that the property was bought from an

Arch area of London to inspect water damage, I was greeted by

actress who had lived there since the 70s and this gave me a clue as to

the amazing sight of all the ground floor wall and ceiling surfaces being covered by decorative, broken colour finishes and mural painting.

The major damage was to the ceiling, cornice and frieze at the rear

who might have done the work.

My colleague Mark Friend who, as well as being a decorator, is also a theatre designer and model maker observed that he immediately recognised

half of the through lounge, and later a smaller area appeared in the

the style of painting and drawing in the mural to be that of a theatre stage

front half. The job was to recreate, as near as possible, the original work.

painter. He was then able to give me crucial insights into ways of working.

New sections of cornice were cast and inserted to replace the damaged

With regard to the materials, I felt that most of the original had been

lengths, and the ceiling was repaired with the plasterers taking great

done using oil-based paints and glazes. However, after much deliberation,

care to marry in the old and new surfaces. It was very important not to

I decided to use acrylics because of their greater colour stability.

have any joints showing as our glazes would have highlighted these defects. Once primed and prepared we were ready to go.

The only problem being, how? There were so many questions... What materials were used? What methods/ techniques were employed? Who did

These rather dark rooms, even during the brightest days, had minimal exposure to daylight, which made me fear that a good colour and tonal match at the time of working would change quite quickly, particularly with yellowing becoming clearly visible.

this work originally and why was some of it left in a seemingly unfinished

The broken colour work on the ceiling, cornice and rose was done largely

state? The list went on and on, sometimes finishing with– Why did I agree

by mutton clothing and stippling using Polyvine's Tropical Scumble glaze.

to take this on?!

The very difficult task of reproducing the style and finish of the mural, using acrylic as opposed to oil paints, was reliant on the of use of slow

36

Designs were projected on to the wall before being drafted in pencil.

Mark Friend and Les Barber took care of the ceiling and cornice work.

CASE STUDY Materials Used Zinsser BIN Primer sealer Bedec Interior Flex in Brilliant White Crown Trade Fastflow Satin White and primer undercoat Crown Trade tinted matt emulsions Polyvine Tropical Scumble and matt varnish Jackson’s Studio Acrylic Liquitex acrylic mediums and acrylic gouache Q1 Delicate surface masking tape

The dog of the house, Foxy, was immortalised as part of the new frieze.

drying and glaze mediums. The initial drafting out of the mural was done

After the major interruption of lockdown, it was quite difficult

with pencil, drawing over mid-tone colour washes; the standard pencils

to pick up with the work from where we had left off, but we got

gradually giving way to watercolour soluble pencils. Areas that needed to

there in the end.

be more solid were painted using acrylic gouache and tinted matt emulsions.

The client said, “Keith Blackburn carried out the total restoration of

Most of the figure, foliage and ornament painting was carried using

a mural on our grade II listed house. The surrounding ceiling in my

acrylic tube paints with the addition of retardants and matt glaze mediums.

entrance hall and reception areas had collapsed and suffered extensive

Slowing down the drying was crucial to colour and tone blending.

water damage. This was a lengthy and painstaking exercise which required

Drafting out the figures, objects and foliage etc, was helped

enormous patience and skill. He did an outstanding

considerably, but not exclusively, by the use of a Vankyo digital

job and, remarkably, the mural looks even better

projector. Fortunately, I was able to take photographs before the

than it did before the flood damage.”

damaged areas of the mural had been removed.

One significant addition to the original design was the inclusion of Foxy, the dog of the house, who now features in the chimney breast panel!

I was also able to call on Mark Friend's help throughout and to have Les Barber tackle the ceiling and cornice work. Les is currently the

Keith Blackburn is a Member of the PDA based in London.

You can get in touch with him on 0208 886 4708 or visit www.keith-blackburn.co.uk

President of the PDA's London branch, the LAMD.

The initial pencil draft...

followed by mid-tone colour washes...

watercolour soluble pencils...

and finally, acrylic tube paints.

37

CASE STUDIES

Restoration of St Joan of Arc St Joan of Arc is a memorial church situated within the Diocese of

With an average of five workers on the site, operatives prepared working

Middlesbrough but governed by the Bishopric of the Forces. The church

areas by filling and sanding, and then applied two coats of vinyl matt

was built in 1930 and Jack Tighe Decorating Ltd was awarded this internal

emulsion to walls and ceiling. Fixed scaffolding, supplied by Swale

painting, decorating and preservation contract for Tom Willoughby Ltd.

Scaffolding, was used to access the highest points.

Risk Assessments were carried out and specific hazards were identified

The Jack Tighe team then prepared the floor surface with a floor

associated with the works including manual handling, application of paint

sander, stained the floor with a wood dye, and finished by applying two

by brush and roller, surface preparation using hand tools, slips trips & falls,

coats of Dulux Diamond Glaze varnish.

use of 240v sanding equipment, use of stepladders and use of scaffolding.

Jack Tighe’s CSCS accredited workforce and SSSTS accredited supervisors attended a full site induction prior to commencement of any works, with PASMA trained operatives responsible for the erecting, dismantling and safety of the mobile scaffolding.

In accordance with Jack Tighe’s Environmental Policy statement, extreme care was taken to ensure the least possible damage was caused to the surrounding environment.

Jack Tighe Decorating Ltd are Members of the PDA with branches nationwide. You can get in touch with them on 01652 640003 or visit their website at www.jacktighe.com

38

NEW SCUFFS DON’T STAND A CHANCE Protect walls in high-traffic spaces with new Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt. Its unique formula withstands knocks and bumps from everyday objects, leaving your paintwork scuff-free and looking pristine for longer.

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We promise our paint will give you the perfect colour with a uniform finish and the coverage stated, or we’ll replace it. Visit dulux.co.uk/promise ‘Terms and conditions apply. Claims must be made within 6 months of purchase. Proof of purchase required.

Colour claims limited to 10L per-customer. Manufacturer’s tips and instructions must have bee followed. UK purchases only.’

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Nemo Power Tools

Grabo®

@grabo_official

www.thegrabo.co.uk

There is a saying, ‘making a job safer makes it easier and faster in the long run!’... Lifting and moving heavy objects in itself can be dangerous, awkward and fiddly, so imagine a tool that can almost by magic stick temporarily to objects and materials and allow you to effortlessly lift, move or reposition them? Well Grabo is now here! If I say so myself it’s just amazing – seeing is believing! Grabo is an innovative, cordless vacuum tool that safely grabs flat dusty, porous and even wet surfaces.

Simple and safe to use, it features a power on/off slider and five small LEDs to show the current charge, pressure gauge, and a soft green button starts the suction operation with a red one for release.

Four strong metal plates allow the included high-quality adjustable shoulder strap to be attached which really adds another dimension when lifting or moving objects.

When using on uneven surfaces, applying a small amount of pressure will aid the vacuum process. It has been tested to safely lift 375lbs, but as always, make sure you are familiar with the health and safety precautions.

The 14.8V Li-ion rechargeable battery pack easily latches into place, and it comes with a spare battery as well as a charger. As you would expect on a high-quality tool, a spare replacement foam seal is

Features & Benefits ‘ 1.5hr battery life

‘ Spare battery and charger included

‘ Shoulder lifting strap

included in the contents, plus a protective carrying case is supplied for keeping Grabo in.

‘ Spare replacement foam seal

I’ve used mine on so many things to lift, move or simply to get a better hold of what I am doing such as tiles, worktops,

‘ Storage carry case

sheet flooring, plasterboard, paving slabs, doors – even

‘ 12 month warranty

a fridge and tumble dryer!

tool TALK

Products independently tested and reviewed

by Award Winning Decorator, Wayne de Wet

Features & Benefits

‘ Long reach hand crafted wooden handle

Arroworthy

Classic Angular 2.5” Semi Oval @arrowothyukdistributor www.arroworthy.com

‘ NYLYN Technology™ synthetic filaments ‘ Double chisel end

‘ Suitable for oil and water-based paints ‘ Available in 1.5”, 2” and 2.5”

Like many of my fellow PDA Members, when it comes to choosing brushes I am very particular in what works for me.

The new hand crafted Arroworthy Classic Angular Semi Oval long handled synthetic filament brush is a #gamechanger and now a favourite of mine.

The Arroworthy Classic ticks all the boxes for me – the long handles allow me to safely reach further when cutting in ceiling lines and a stainless steel ferrule keeps rust at bay.

For me a good brush needs to have needle like filaments of various lengths and firmness, with a blend of some solid, some hollow. The quality of the filaments can make or break the success of the brush, many can look good yet prove to be poor quality. Using Arroworthy NYLYN Technology ™ filaments they are on to a winner!

A good ‘chisel end’ helps lay off, and an oval holds more paint yet reduces weight, which in turn reduces fatigue. The angular slant gives sharper ‘cutting in’ first time, every time.

As with all brushes, I wet them in water or white spirit and spin out, this aids take up and release of paints and other finishes. I find with water based paints a good practice is to clean the brush regularly, sometimes throughout the day to prevent the paint drying in the back end.

40

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

S-P 4500

Unilite Rechargeable Speaker Worklight @uniliteuk

www.unilite.co.uk

As a multi-skilled sole trader, there are many things that are important to me while I am working.

A key area is being able to see what I am doing! This is most acute in the winter months but can also present a problem at other times, when low light can be an issue. Personally, I always like to listen to music while working – I find it makes my job so much more fun and the day passes quickly. How great to have a product that ticks both these boxes!

The Unilite SP-4500 is a portable, high quality, super bright 4500 lumen work light with a built-in 10W bluetooth speaker.

Made from tough nylon-polymer, the unit is IK07 rated so is able to withstand a 2m drop. It also has an IP65 rating which provides both high dust and water protection. A sturdy companion for conditions on construction sites and heavy domestic workplaces, but with a weight of only 1560g it is easy to transport.

You can adjust the vertical body angle across 140° and the metal hanging hook neatly tucked away under the base allows 360° rotation so the perfect position is easily achieved.

Powered by an 11.1v 5200mAh lithium battery or the mains charger, there is a run time of 3.5 to 15 hours on the battery with a full charge reached in 3.5 hours. Four settings are available offering sharp white light on highest – bright

Features & Benefits

‘ 4500 lumen, white COB LED, 6500K ‘ Integrated bluetooth speaker

‘ Shock proof, dust and water resistant ‘ Battery or mains powered

‘ 3.5 - 15 hours battery run time

enough to see on the darkest days.

Arroworthy

Systainer SYS 2 @arrowothyukdistributor www.arroworthy.com We all like a storage box... When it comes to power tools, brushes, rollers and tool storage you just can’t beat an Arroworthy systainer!

They are stackable, durable and compatible with my Festool and Mirka systainers too.

They easily keep everything organised and in one place, which

Win it all!

One of each of the items reviewed in this edition of Tooltalk are available to one lucky PDA Member!

For your chance to win, simply send an email to tooltalk@the-decorator.co .uk Well done to our most recent winner, Paul Leed of PWL Decorating Service s.

Enjoy your new products!

reduces visits to the van. Two sizes are available Systainer 2 T-loc and Systainer 2 T-loc 3, plus the Caddy Toolbox. No need to unstack to gain access, simply twist the T-loc and lift the lid.

Available from TOPDEC Decorating Supplies, Crown and Mypaintbrush.

Features & Benefits

‘ Convient storage solution

‘ Compatibile with Festool and Mirka ‘ Choice of two sizes

You can find Wayne on...

@ToolTalk1

@ToolTalk1 41

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

www.ciret.co.uk/masq A high-quality and reliable masking solution is the most important

UP

Stress less just masq

tool

Keep up to date with what’s available for the modern decorator

preparation tool for a painter if they are to guarantee an exceptional finish on all their painting and decorating work. Using the correct

Take back control

masking tape or film is as important as choosing the best roller or

www.hamiltonexpression.com

brush to apply the paint. Ciret’s innovative new masking tape concept was designed to cover all of your masking

When painting awkward areas, we know that control is key –

needs with a range of tapes that are easy to navigate and

Hamilton’s Expression range delivers just that. Their Angled

use. Their masq tape solutions include Ultimate Painter’s

brushes and unique TriTech™ Precision brushes offer comfort in

Tape with a high tack for irregular surfaces and the

use, and easy control. Hamilton’s MaxStroke™ filaments feature

Sensitive Painter’s Tape, which is ideal for particularly

across the entire Expression range – super, fine tips that give a

delicate surfaces such as freshly painted walls or

flawless finish. The Expression Precision brush combines

wallpapers. The masq tapes are suitable for both indoors

MaxStroke™ filaments with a unique triangular head to precisely

and outdoors, leaving perfect lines without residue. The

finish smaller, awkward areas such as slim frames, profiles and

range also includes two high quality masking films that

corners. Available in 15mm and 20mm sizes, a plastic cover is

help by covering large areas quickly and efficiently – the

provided to protect the head and allow the brush to be kept moist

2.7m length Covermasq is perfect for masking large areas

when stored for up to 72 hours.

especially when spraying.

Handheld innovation www.axusdecor.com Axus Décor’s Onyx series consists of a wide array of innovative products that differ from what is on the market. Each one has been carefully developed to deal with the challenges that decorators face on a daily basis. The updated Wallpaper Press and Eddy paint mixer are recent additions, both made using high quality, durable and highly reusable materials, they are guaranteed to speed up your workflow. The Wallpaper Press has three functions: a seam roller for pressing down joints, an internal corner roller and an external corner roller. It comes with an elastomeric grip that minimises hand strain, complete with textured finger rests for extra slip resistance. It handles the messy nature of wallpaper paste due to its easy to clean material and rust-resistant metal parts. This product has recently been upgraded to include a removable, easy to clean, silicone skin which protects delicate wallpaper whilst resisting sliding. The Eddy paint mixer features hexagon shaped holes that are strategically positioned and sized perfectly in order to create the ideal turbulent flow that allows paint to be mixed evenly and rapidly. It also comes with a hook that rests nicely on a 5 litre paint can. Its complex structure means it doesn't bow, even in viscous paint, and the handle features an ergonomic grip which prevents slipping and minimises hand strain.

42

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES .co.uk www.brewers

off the shelf As an independent decorator centre, Brewers always strive to stock the best in painting and decorating products. Festool, a company specialised in creating tools for trade professionals, are a new addition to Brewers range of professional sanders, designed to help you get the best results as efficiently as possible. Two of the Festool sanders are currently on promotion at Brewers throughout December 2020 – the Festool DTS REQ-Plus Delta Sander is designed to make light work of hard to reach areas at just £239.99 (exc vat), and the £249.99 (exc vat) Festool RUTSCHER RTS 400 REQ-Plus Orbital Sander is a compact one-handed orbital sander which is great for overhead use over long periods of time. Each weigh just 1.2Kg and feature up to 25% more material removal capacity when used at a constant powerful speed. Not only that but both come with a long-life chip collection bag for dust-free work and an edge protector for smooth sanding.

Video star www.ob1original.com/videos.html Take a look at the useful videos on how to use OB1 on different surfaces and in different conditions. The multi-surface construction sealant and adhesive product from Siroflex Limited is a High Spec Hybrid Construction Sealant and Adhesive with a tried and tested formulation, which has been used by the decorating industry for the past 15 years. OB1 bonds and seals copper, aluminium, wood & MDF, mirror, lead, concrete, polystyrene, glass, tile, polycarbon, PVC and felt. It is over paintable, odourless, solvent free, silicone free, food safe and flexible – one tube does everything!

100 years of colour www.brewers.co.uk Colour is a powerful tool in interior decoration, it gives character, adds dimension and expresses personality. Certain shades have close links with bygone eras, which tell us a story with depth and meaning often influenced by fashion, art and pop culture of the time. To celebrate this language of colour, here is a specially curated palette honouring Albany’s rich history of colour with iconic shades from each decade. Albany is a trusted paint brand used by professionals and DIY-ers alike.

Each finish is made to a high-quality trade recipe, rich in pigment and high-quality ingredients for superior colour depth and retention. Albany paint is exclusively available online or instore at Brewers Decorator Centres.

43

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Speedy scaffold www.youngmanaccess.com/paxtower WernerCo are aiming to make complicated and time-consuming scaffold structures a thing of the past with their new Youngman PAXTower. Equipped with a raft of timesaving and safetyenhancing new features, the new tower is fully compliant with the latest safety regulations.

The ergonomic and sturdy design, in accordance with the latest EN1004 specification, ensures safe working at height at all times. To get started, users simply fold out the structure until it clicks into place, and when building the tower to higher levels, a specially designed slot-in spigot with interlock clips prevents tilting when connecting the end frames, enabling a smooth build. Its sturdy, flexible construction and quick assembly make the PAXTower the perfect for trade users. The PAXTower is available in two versions: Through the Trapdoor (3T) and Advanced Guardrail (AGR), with the option to build up to a platform height of 5.6m to 7.65m and loads of up to 208 kilograms. Stabilisers come as standard, as well as stabiliser extensions in the 5.6m version, alleviating the need for a second set of larger stabilisers and maximising ease of use, without sacrificing safety.

Caddy can www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk Volkswagen have announced their latest award-winning Caddy Cargo will start from £17,800 when order books open in December. The new Caddy, which has been redesigned from the ground up, offers increased space, efficient engine options, additional driver assistance systems to improve safety and a new connected Digital Cockpit and infotainment system to turn the vehicle into a smartphone on wheels. First revealed in February, the fifth-

Faster plaster www.safeguardeurope.com

after being crowned Van of the Year at The Sun Motor Awards 2020. Caddy will initially launch in the UK with two

Safeguard Europe’s Dryzone high-performance plasters collection is a range of

wheelbase options – standard and Maxi – with three trim

breathable modern plasters designed to stop salt migration and aid drying on damp walls.

levels. All engines fulfil the 2021 Euro 6 emissions

All four variants in the plaster range have been scientifically developed and tested to

standards and are fitted with particulate filters. Fuel

provide excellent resistance to hygroscopic salts whilst providing a highly breathable

consumption has been reduced by up to 10 per cent on

surface. They have been shown to out-perform both competing renovation plasters and

previous generation. Caddy Cargo prices range from

sand/cement renders. The pre-blended plasters form part of the Dryzone System for

£17,800 upto £22,075 for the range-topping model which

replastering after Dryzone Damp-Proofing Cream or Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods have

offers Discover Media satellite navigation, front and rear

been used to create a remedial damp proof course. These highly effective Safeguard

parking sensors, anti-theft alarm system, power folding

renovation plasters can be applied to walls while they are still damp and, by controlling

exterior mirrors, LED rear tail lights and alloy wheels.

salt migration and allowing walls to dry out by evaporation, the walls achieve a higher thermal resistance, reducing the risk of future condensation. New to the range is Dryzone Fast-Set Plaster, which cures in around two hours and is suitable where speed of application is crucial, it is also ideal for smaller areas, repairs and dubbing out uneven walls.

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Keep up to date with what’s available for the modern decorator

44

generation Caddy has already picked up its first award,

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

New legislation creates opportunity for Decorators This year, changes to legislation means that landlords in particular may be on the lookout for effective solutions to help prevent the growth of mould. Crown Paints explains how decorators can play their part by recommending the right products for the right space.

Mould matters more than ever Every winter, there is greater potential for mould to become a problem in people’s homes. Poor ventilation can be exacerbated by keeping windows closed to keep the cold out, and where condensation forms it’s possible that mould and mildew will flourish.

This year, not only have more people spent more time at home thanks to lockdown and the rise of remote working, a piece of legislation has come into effect that makes mould even more of a headache than usual for landlords and left them more in need of a viable, cost-effective solution.

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act make landlords more accountable for the condition of their properties. The Act means that tenants whose landlords do not address issues like mould and damp

spores and that the problem won’t simply bloom again through the first

within a timely manner can take them to court and seek compensation. By

coat of paint.

April 2021, this will apply to both new and existing tenancy agreements, putting landlords under pressure to ensure that their maintenance work is

Once you’ve taken the time to scrape away any loose paint flakes, and fully rubbed down the surface with a suitable abrasive paper to ensure

up to scratch, and potentially creating plenty of work for professional

you’ve removed any remaining surface layers of paint, the substrate will

painters and decorators.

be clean, dry and spore-free.

Simply washing away the appearance of mould on a wall’s surface is ineffective, as the spores will quickly reappear, and with basic matt

Decisions, decisions

emulsions, repeated cleaning can damage the finish too.

Traditionally, decorators might have turned to a paint product with a mid-

Prevention is clearly preferable to cure in these cases and, where there

sheen finish such as an acrylic eggshell, for an area prone to

is the possibility of having to pay compensation to tenants, cheaper too.

condensation as they can more readily tolerate being wiped than a

Taking simple steps to prevent the build-up of mould is essential. That’s

traditional matt emulsion.

where good product knowledge and the right preparation comes into play, and decorators should be ready to step in and advise.

However, premium scrubbable ranges, including Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme range, offer more choice in terms of finishes and colour. Whether customers prefer a matt or an eggshell finish, Clean Extreme products can

What can decorators do?

tolerate repeated scrubbing in a way that traditional paints can’t, whilst it’s

Landlords will likely be looking for a lasting solution to the issue of mould.

Ultimate Opacity formula for white paint means that it’s easy to cover

As any decorator knows it is often the case that the bulk of the work has

darker shades, ideal for an end-of-tenancy maintenance cycle.

to happen before any paint is

More importantly, Clean Extreme Mould Inhibiting paint has a built-in

applied, in this case that

fungicide which helps prevent mould growth on the paint film by offering a

means ensuring that

layer of protection that can’t be washed off. Decorators should recommend

existing mould and mildew

this option in particular for areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.

spores are killed and not just superficially removed before

Communication is key

being painted over.

Of course, choosing a premium paint does increase the cost of the job for

Using a sterilisation wash, such as Crown Trade’s Fungicidal Wash, will ensure that the surface is free of

the customer, so be prepared to discuss this and be ready to fully explain the benefits of upgrading to a scrubbable and fungicidal paint.

As well as preventing the problem of mould, the use of a premium product like this could save money on the long term maintenance cycle.

@CrownTradePaint 46

CrownTradePaint

crowntrade.co.uk

Clean air with the system. &RnquerLQJ dust together.

Healthy, precise and time-saving work as a decorator. No matter whether it is concrete, tile adhesive or gypsum, in old or new buildings, Festool offers an uncompromising connection between mobile dust extractors and tools. The result: simple and effective health protection in every situation thanks to a perfectly optimised system.

For more information visit www.festool.co.uk/dustfree

ROLL AND GO BUCKET 18 and 25 PAINT TOOLS 2.0 Integrated rolling surface.

Bucket 18 for rollers up to 7”/18 cm.

Bucket 25 for rollers up to 10”/25 cm Use with disposable liners.

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