Everything you might want to know — before you ask.
Practical answers on how we run projects — preparation, spray equipment, paint systems, site protection, scheduling and aftercare.
Everything you might want to know — before you ask.
Practical answers on how we run projects — preparation, spray equipment, paint systems, site protection, scheduling and aftercare. For figures, every project is quoted individually following a site visit or photograph review.
About Four Oaks
Where are you based and how far do you travel?+
We're based in Sutton Coldfield and work across the wider West Midlands — Four Oaks, Mere Green, Little Aston, Boldmere, Streetly, Lichfield, Edgbaston, Solihull, Tamworth, Aldridge, Walsall and Birmingham. Larger projects further afield are considered on request.
Do you specialise in any particular property types?+
Yes — most of our work is on period homes and detached family properties across Sutton Coldfield, Four Oaks, Mere Green, Little Aston and Lichfield, alongside modern apartment developments and commercial buildings in Edgbaston, Solihull and Birmingham.
How long has Four Oaks Painting & Decorating been operating?+
We've been delivering residential and commercial decorating across Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding areas since 2009.
Are you fully insured?+
Yes. We carry £5m public liability insurance as standard and can provide our certificate of insurance on request.
Are your decorators DBS-checked?+
DBS-checked decorators are available where required — useful when we're working in occupied family homes or alongside other trades on residential sites. Just let us know at quotation stage.
Are you Checkatrade approved?+
Yes — we're Checkatrade approved with verified customer reviews. We're happy to share references on request.
Do you use subcontractors?+
Every project is completed by experienced, trusted decorators working to Four Oaks Painting & Decorating standards. We control the standard from quote to sign-off.
Quoting & Project Planning
How do I get a quote?+
Either request a quote through our website, send photographs of the project, or arrange a site visit. For larger projects we strongly recommend an on-site survey so we can fully scope preparation, materials and timeline.
Can I get a quote from photos?+
Yes. For smaller projects, well-lit photos and approximate measurements are usually enough for us to provide an indicative quotation. We'll confirm the figure with a site visit before any work begins.
Is the quote free and no-obligation?+
Yes. All quotations are free, written and provided with no obligation.
How detailed is the written quote?+
Each quote sets out the scope of work room by room or elevation by elevation, the preparation included, the paint specification and the projected timeline.
How far in advance should I book?+
Lead times vary by season — exterior work in summer and full house redecorations book up earliest. We'd recommend enquiring four to eight weeks ahead where possible.
Do you work to architects' or interior designers' specifications?+
Yes. We regularly work alongside interior designers, architects and developers, working to detailed schedules of finishes and specification documents.
Interior Decorating
How long does a full house redecoration take?+
Typically two to four weeks depending on size, condition and the level of detail. We'll provide a clear schedule with your written quotation.
Can you decorate around our furniture and family?+
Yes. We're frequently in occupied homes — we work cleanly room by room with full floor protection, dust sheets and daily tidy-down at the end of each shift.
Which paint brands do you work with?+
We work principally with Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Mylands, Tikkurila, Dulux Trade and Johnstone's Trade — selecting the right system for the substrate and the brief.
Do you use water-based or oil-based paints on woodwork?+
Modern water-based trim paints have largely overtaken oil-based for woodwork — they hold colour, dry hard and don't yellow. We'll specify the right system based on the substrate, condition and finish required.
Can you colour match an existing paint?+
Yes. We can colour-match almost any existing finish using professional spectrophotometer matching at our trade suppliers.
Do you handle ceiling repairs and minor plastering?+
We handle filling, caulking, minor patch repairs and skim work as part of preparation. For larger plastering or replastering, we coordinate with a trusted plasterer before our decoration begins.
Spray Finishing
What spray equipment do you use?+
We use professional Graco airless and HVLP spray systems, selected based on the surface, the environment and the required finish. Different surfaces and locations call for different equipment.
Can you spray a kitchen in our home without making a mess?+
Yes. We build full containment with masking film, dust sheets and floor protection, and use HVLP equipment for fine on-site work to control overspray. Most clients are surprised at how clean the process is.
How long does a kitchen respray take?+
Most kitchens are completed within three to five working days, depending on the number of doors, drawers and panels.
Do you remove doors and drawers, or spray in place?+
Doors and drawer fronts are typically removed, sprayed off-site or in a dedicated area, and refitted. Carcasses and end panels are sprayed in place under containment.
What paint system do you use on kitchens?+
Hardwearing two-pack or specialist water-based cabinet systems depending on the substrate. These are designed to perform in a working kitchen environment.
Will the sprayed finish chip or peel?+
With the right preparation — degreasing, sanding, priming — and the right product system, a sprayed kitchen will perform like a factory finish for many years.
Can you spray staircases, balustrades and panelling?+
Yes. Sprayed staircases, spindles, handrails and panelling are a regular part of our work. The finish is sharp, consistent and far closer to fitted furniture than brushwork.
Do you spray on site or in a workshop?+
Both. We have a dedicated spray facility for joinery, doors and furniture, and we spray on site for fitted kitchens, wardrobes, panelling and staircases under full containment.
Exterior Painting
What's the best time of year for exterior painting?+
April through October typically gives the most reliable weather window. We monitor conditions daily and don't paint in unsuitable temperature, humidity or rain.
Do you handle scaffolding?+
Yes. We arrange and manage scaffolding, towers or access equipment as part of the project where required.
Do you replace rotten timber and carry out joinery repairs?+
Yes. We carry out splicing, full timber replacement and pre-paint joinery repairs to fascias, soffits, sash windows, doors and bargeboards.
What products do you use on render and masonry?+
We use weathershield-grade masonry coatings and breathable systems where appropriate — selected based on the substrate, exposure and condition of the property.
Can you restore sash and casement windows?+
Yes. Sash and casement window restoration — including burning off, splicing, draught-proofing where needed and full repaint — is a regular part of our exterior work.
Do you paint iron railings, gates and metalwork?+
Yes. We strip back, treat for corrosion, prime with the correct metal primer and finish in a hardwearing system suited to exterior metalwork.
Wall Panelling & Wallpaper
Do you design and install bespoke wall panelling?+
Yes. We design panel proportions to suit the room — picture-rail height, skirting depth, ceiling cornice — and install in MDF before priming, filling and finishing on site or with a sprayed coat.
What types of wallpaper do you hang?+
We hang everything from standard pasted papers to premium hand-printed and grass-cloth papers — Cole & Son, de Gournay, Zoffany, Sanderson and similar.
Do you supply wallpaper or do I buy it?+
Either. Many clients order their own paper directly. We're happy to advise on quantity and supplier, and can order on your behalf where preferred.
Will you prepare walls before wallpapering?+
Yes. Walls are filled, sanded and lined where required before any premium paper is hung. Preparation is critical to a clean, seamless finish.
Process, Disruption & Cleanliness
How clean is your process?+
Very. We use professional dustless sanding systems, full floor and furniture protection, daily tidy-down and a final clean before sign-off.
What is dustless sanding?+
Dustless sanding uses sanders connected directly to high-extraction vacuums, capturing the vast majority of dust at source. It's a far cleaner alternative to traditional sanding in occupied homes.
How disruptive is a typical project?+
We work room by room with full protection, communicating clearly each day. Most clients carry on with normal life while we're on site.
Do you work weekends or out of hours?+
For commercial clients, yes — we regularly work evenings, weekends and out-of-hours to minimise disruption to operations.
Will you protect our floors and furniture?+
Yes. Hard floors are sheeted and taped, carpets are protected with breathable carpet film, and furniture is covered or moved as required.
Do you tidy up at the end of the project?+
Always. The site is left clean, vacuumed and inspected with the client before we sign off.
Commercial & Trade
Do you take on commercial contracts?+
Yes. We work with offices, hospitality, retail, healthcare, education and developer clients across the West Midlands.
Can you work out of hours to avoid disrupting operations?+
Yes. Out-of-hours, evening and weekend working is standard on our commercial contracts.
Do you have RAMS and method statements?+
Yes. We provide risk assessments and method statements for commercial sites as standard.
Do you work with developers and main contractors?+
Yes. We work directly with house builders, developers and main contractors on new builds, show homes and refurbishments.
Can you work alongside other trades on site?+
Yes — coordinating with kitchen fitters, electricians, joiners, flooring contractors and site managers is a regular part of how we work.
Guarantees & Aftercare
Do you guarantee your work?+
Yes. Our work is guaranteed against defects in workmanship. Specific manufacturer guarantees on coatings depend on the system used and we'll set this out in your quotation.
What happens if there's a snag after sign-off?+
We walk every project at completion to identify any final detail. If something needs attention afterwards, we return to address it.
Can I touch up the paint myself later?+
Yes. We leave clearly labelled paint where requested so you can carry out small touch-ups in future, or we can return to handle it.
Let's discuss your project
Whether it's a single room or a full home redecoration, we'd be glad to discuss your plans and provide a detailed, no-obligation quotation.
We are best suited to well-planned decorating projects — full rooms, multi-room redecorations, exteriors, spray finishes, panelling and commercial works.