Mark Smith Decorator

24/08/2026

One of the most frustrating things about being a professional decorator… 🤦‍♂️🎨

I get it — when you want your house decorated, you want it doing NOW.
But here’s the thing…
If you contact me and I’m booked up, there’s a reason for it.
I’ve been doing this for over 30 years, and I’ve built my business on proper preparation, attention to detail and a finish I’m proud to put my name to.
I’m not interested in rushing through a job just to say I’ve done it.
Yet I regularly have new customers contact me, get a quote, then decide they can’t wait a few weeks and find someone who can start tomorrow.
And that’s absolutely their choice.
But ask yourself why one decorator is available immediately while another is booked months ahead.
There will always be someone cheaper.
There will always be someone available sooner.
And there will always be someone willing to cut corners to get the job done.
Preparation? “Not in the budget.”
Filling? “You’ll never see it.”
Straight lines? “That’ll cost extra.” 😂
Then six months later you’re looking at the walls thinking… “FFS, why didn’t I just wait?”
I completely appreciate that waiting isn’t always convenient, but if you’ve chosen a professional because you like their work, sometimes the best thing you can do is book them and wait.
You wouldn’t book a top restaurant and complain because they don’t have a table tonight.

Good work takes time. Good decorators are busy.
I’m not the cheapest, and I’m certainly not the quickest.
But I’ll do it properly.

🎨 Mark Smith Decorators

Diary is open for December so get booked in guys!

20/06/2026

Wow 🤩

09/05/2026

Just a polite message to all potential new customers 👋

Please remember that when tradespeople travel out to your home to look at work, measure up and provide quotations, we are giving up both time and fuel to do so.

Nobody is ever under any obligation to accept a quote, and i completely understand people shop around or change their minds. However, a quick reply either way is always appreciated out of courtesy — even if it’s simply to say you’ve decided not to go ahead.

Small businesses run on time, communication and respect, and most genuine tradespeople will appreciate the honesty.

Thank you 😊

07/05/2026

29/04/2026

🚨 We’re hiring! Do you want to be part of an award-winning team👀 🚨

Due to a strong pipeline of exciting projects, we’re expanding both our workshop and onsite teams across Preston and beyond.

We’re currently looking for:

🔨 Site Foreman
🪚 Site Joiner
⚙️ CNC Machinist / Programmer

We’re looking for skilled, motivated people who take pride in what they do.

📍 Find out more and apply via our website: https://jsjuk.co/careers/

📣 Or share this post with someone who might be a great fit!

18/04/2026

Take a look guys 😊

12/04/2026

A small bedroom recently completed in South Shields for a valued new client.

The walls were stripped, filled, and thoroughly prepared before being sized and cross-lined with 1200-grade lining paper. They were then finished with two coats of Farrow & Ball “Blackened” Durable Matt emulsion.

The ceiling required more extensive preparation, with cracks raked out, filled, and fully prepared before being cross-lined with Wallrock Fibre Lining Paper for added strength. It was then finished with three coats of white Durable Matt emulsion.

All woodwork was filled and carefully prepared, followed by three coats of acrylic undercoat and a final coat of Sikkens Satura white satin, providing a durable and high-quality finish.

A great transformation achieved through careful preparation and attention to detail.