Terms and Conditions for Painting and Decorating Services

What a good one includes

• A detailed definition of surface preparation responsibilities, explicitly stating whether you or the client is responsible for moving furniture, clearing walls, and making structural repairs.
• A clear payment schedule outlining deposit requirements, milestone billing for larger projects, and final payment terms upon practical completion.
• A clause covering paint selection and color matching, clarifying that slight variations may occur and that client-approved colors are final once purchased.
• Access and delay provisions that protect your schedule and fee if you are locked out of the property or delayed by other trades on site.
• A fair but firm cancellation and rescheduling policy detailing how much notice is required and what portion of the deposit is non-refundable.
• A dedicated snagging period clause, giving the client a specific window of seven days to report any touch-ups before the job is deemed fully accepted and finalized.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Failing to define who is responsible for prep work, leading to unpaid hours spent scraping old wallpaper or moving heavy wardrobes.
• Not requiring an upfront deposit to cover paint and material costs, leaving your business financially exposed if the client cancels at the last minute.
• Omitting a clear practical completion and sign-off process, which allows clients to drag out final payments over minor, subjective touch-ups.
• Using generic online legal templates that fail to address trade-specific issues like drying times, ventilation, and multi-trade site delays.

Frequently asked questions