I once read that an organisation will always try to spend more than it makes. In several decades of working in Central and South West London I’ve found this to be true. It happens because the business needs another van, or the office needs a faster photocopier or more pay for the receptionist. It happens … Read more
I posted a blog earlier today called “Happy as Louis” which was not about paint at all, and I hope no one reading here thinks this change in topic does in any way reflect a diminishing enthusiasm for paint. Indeed I have recently thought up numerous very paint-relevant topics that I am eager to relay, … Read more
HAPPY as LOUIS Like many women my wife can create something out of nothing, and such an ability can be good and bad. This morning for example, while listening to Louis Armstrong as the guest on the Desert Island Discs replays that she loves, she decided her life (and consequently mine) was boring in comparison. … Read more
Much is said of regular maintenance, but what is the actual cost of neglecting the upkeep of a property? For example: Does it cost more to carry out repairs and painting 3-4 times over a period of 25 years, or leave the property to rot for those 25 years and then carry out one big … Read more
When one has been doing something for 30 years or more, there is an inclination to forget how much you know and others don’t. Thinking about this I came up with the idea for this months blog. I’m calling it -Paint Finishes Explained. I expect everyone will know some of the following, but even so, … Read more
Painting and Decorating costs. – Exterior To give you some idea of decorating costs: Sash windows. £100 each Front door and frame. £170 The painted stonework of a two storey older style London Terraced House. £750 Guttering, Fascia board and eaves £200 Add around 13% for materials Add for scaffolding, if the property is too … Read more
Exterior Painting and Repairs-Pressure Washing. There is something to get excited about in the world of external painting and that is the more general use today of pressure washers in preparing paintwork. This is a welcome upgrade in standards. The water pressure not only cleans thoroughly ( avoiding dirt being sanded back into the woodwork and … Read more
Since the 1980’s JP Taffe has worked with surveyors on projects across London. These typically entail a erecting a scaffold to a block or townhouse of flats and doing whatever is necessary from the scaffold. This would include painting, repairs to woodwork, pointing brickwork, roof work including asphalt, slates and lead work, plastering and rendering. … Read more
Years ago I would be frequently asked the question, “Should I line my walls or have bare plaster?” Not so much now. I guess people find out on the net. However I didn’t easily find an answer when looking so here is my attempt at a simple answer. ANSWER There is no finer finish than … Read more
As it’s October now I thought it’s a good time to say something about the effects on paint of the cold and damp and how low temperatures can effect the drying process of the paint. October has many warm dry sunny days and although it does record the highest( not by much) average monthly rainfall, … Read more
September and October can be the best months for exterior painting. It’s not that the average monthly rainfall is particularly less, it’s more the equinoctial winds that dry things rapidly after a shower. Therefore it’s not too late to get going if you did want your outside painted before April and have good protection for … Read more
When a person has been working at one occupation for 40 years it can easily be forgotten how much knowledge is accumulated. Perhaps the experienced person doesn’t value such experience as much as it should be valued because youth often blithely disregards it. But every so often I’m called upon to solve a problem others … Read more
If you figure the outside of your house would take two men a week to paint then the cost would be around £2000. Add for scaffold if needed and Vat. An alarm on the scaffold can be around £250 for the front. There you go. That’s about as close as I can say in answer … Read more
Hello again, I’ve done a little green and recycling research on the World Wide Web and am pleased to pass on a few ideas. First a tip on dumping unused paint: Latex or water based paints can be poured into a box with shredded paper or similar substance like kitty litter or something absorbent and … Read more
Dulux, Wallpaper and London and Why our country is better off when we stay at home. I’ve got no wifi today but I can at least do some blog writing and bring things up to date. For a start I thought I’d look at some competitor sites and see what key words they were using … Read more
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” Pablo Picasso Now I’m not saying our painting and decoration is art ( though lesser things have made such claims) but we can rid you of some everyday dust and brighten your space that you might see the art around you. Then who knows … Read more
While there is such a thing as a permanent repair, there is not such a thing as permanent painting. But ten years between paint jobs would be good though wouldn’t it? Or do you want more than ten? Well let me tell you something; if the job has been done well you just might be … Read more
All over London the spring has come and at last some news other than Brexit and Trump. Yes I have new news because we are not just painters and decorators. We are experienced in all manner of maintenance for your property. Experience finding Things your average painter might miss. Things that might cost you more … Read more
Hello and welcome to another blog. I hope this one will help you decide who to choose to decorate your home or office or project. We are also familiar with surveyors requirements and cyclical schedules of work and very happy to tender for any painting decorating and property maintenance projects; interior and exterior. We have … Read more
JP Taffe Decorating and Property Maintenance Ltd have been working throughout the west and south west of London since 1980 and we have many regular clients. Why is that? Because we know what the client wants and deliver. We provide sound advice and a full service of: Painting, paper hanging, plastering, electrical, brick re-pointing, window … Read more