Like many tradespeople, I am currently experiencing an unprecedented level of demand for my services. Under normal circumstances, I am typically booked up around 3-4 months in advance. As things currently stand, I am now booked up until approximately May 2026.

Hi. My name's Robin (or Rob - I'm fine with either!), and I'm a painter and decorator based in Wokingham in Berkshire. I started my own decorating business in 2007, covering Wokingham and the surrounding area (e.g. Emmbrook, Earley, Woodley, Hurst, Binfied, Barkham, Finchampstead).

It gives me a huge buzz to give a room a new lease of life, whether it's just a fresh lick of paint or a complete transformation; after a few days work I can see the difference I have made, and the pleasure this can bring to my customers. So that's what I now specialise in.

That's not to say that all I do is painting and decorating. Quite often the "room makeover" might include some simple carpentry work (e.g. replacing skirting boards, boxing in pipes, laying laminate flooring), or putting up coving etc, which I'm more than happy to take on as part of the project.

I usually work on my own as a "sole trader", but I have built up a list of contacts who I can call on if your project requires skills that I don't possess. They all run specialist businesses of their own (e.g. plasterers, electricians, kitchen fitters or carpenters), and I call them in occasionally to help out on specific jobs or parts of jobs. But for most decorating jobs I usually work on my own.

The usual "time line" for a project is that once a customer has contacted me we will arrange a convenient time for me to meet them at the property to discuss the work that they want to have done, and to measure up. I then take this information away and provide written estimates for each room. Assuming these are acceptable to the client, we can then try to find dates in our diaries for the work to be carried out, that are convenient for both parties.

Hopefully the following photos will give you an initial impression of the type of projects I usually take on:

One of the things I love most about my job is talking through the project with the client beforehand, gaining an understanding of what they are trying to achieve.  Sometimes people have a really clear idea before I even arrive, and other times they like to have a little advice.  I'm happy either way - at the end of the day, it's your house, and you're the one who lives in it, so my job is to decorate it how you want it.  But if you want some advice or ideas on how to achieve a certain look or feel, then please do ask - I really enjoy being able to share my experience in this way (and it won't cost a penny!).  For a little inspiration and a few ideas, check out my photo album.

Typically, the things that I spend most of my time doing - and there are examples of each in the photo album - are the following:

• Total room makeovers (or even complete houses/flats)
• Painting
• Wallpapering
• Painting/upcycling furniture
• Replacing skirting boards and architrave
• Putting up coving
• Simple carpentry jobs
• Staining/oiling/varnishing woodwork

Occasionally, when it's part of a "total room makeover", I am also asked to include the following:

• Putting up shelves
• Putting up blinds, curtains, pictures, mirrors, light fittings etc.

For more information, please see the photo album and the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page.

A few projects I've worked on recently:

1. CURRENT:  Painting Bedroom and Family Room - Mr & Mrs C, Hurst
2. Painting Bedroom and Bathroom - Mr & Mrs C, Hurst
3. Painting Dining Room - Mr & Mrs C, Hurst

A few projects I'm looking forward to working on soon:

1. Wallpapering Cloakroom - Mrs N, Finchampstead
2. Repairing and Repainting One Wall - Mr G, Emmbrook
3. Decorating Living Room & Dining Room - Mr & Mrs B, Crowthorne