Selecting a decorator can be a very complex business - open your local telephone book, and you will probably find a large number around your town. So, how do you choose which decorator is the right one for you?
The first step is to look at several decorators. Don't just select the first name from the phone book - shop around, and compare services and quotes from the different decorators - let them fight over your business, not the other way round!
Ideally, you should interview your decorator - ask them to your home and explain what you want doing. They may be able to offer some advice, or a few tips on how to get a similar effect for less money. They should also be able to offer a written quote, which is important.
You should also request references from your chosen decorator. You can use these in order to gain knowledge on the decorator - have they worked satisfactorily in the past, and was the work completed efficiently? If you phone a previous customer of the decorator, you could consider asking the following questions:
- Was the decorator efficient?
- Did they dedicate themselves to the project?
- Was the price good for the service you received.
- Was the final quality of the standard expected?
You may also have additional questions to ask, such as what work was carried out and whether the decorator was punctual. Bear in mind that references are not a guarantee that 
your job will be to the same standard - decorators will have different levels of experience in certain areas, and some referees may not be as impartial as you'd like (no decorator is going to offer references on a bad job!). However, a decorators willingness to offer references is usually a reasonable guidance.
Your chosen decorator should be efficient, courteous, and should have respect for your plans and design - they should not start trying to work to their own agenda. By following these simple tips, you can find the decorator that is right for you and your home!