Ask A Tradesman 1 – painting, possums, floors and wall removal

Hire A Tradesman is a one-stop-shop for all types of trades and offers expert
advice and free quotes for all renovation, building and maintenance projects, large or small.

Q – My husband has promised for weeks that he will finish painting the kitchen wall. I am sick and tired of waiting for him and want to do it myself. How do I get started?

Three words: Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. Good preparation can save you more time than you may realise. It may seem like a waste of time to mask up and cover all the edges of door frames, windows and furniture but when it comes to actually painting and cleaning up, you will be thankful you did.

Make sure you have the right tools. Get a good quality brush so you are not picking bristles off the wall. Buy good quality paint, so you don’t have to apply lots of coats. Mask up (with masking tape) areas that you don’t want painted. Buy sample paint tins and test the colour on the wall.

Patch up all holes and defects, use gap filler to fill cracks and separations in architraves and skirting junctions. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation and be prepared to sleep somewhere else for a night or two! Cut in (paint corners and around door frames) with a brush first and then use a roller.

Alternatively, call Hire A Tradesman on 1300 79 HIRE (4473) for a free quote and we’ll take care of it all for you.

Q – I have something banging around in my roof – I think it is possums. There is a horrible scratching noise. How do I get rid of them? Can I poison them?

The possum is an Australian marsupial and is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 which prohibits trapping or eradicating without a licence, so no, you cannot poison them. There are various safe control and removal methods available and Hire A Tradesman can arrange for a sensitive solution to urban possum problems.

We can also provide solutions to general rodent and insect problems. Call 1300 79 HIRE (4473) or visit www.hireatradesman.com.au.

Q – I am preparing my property for sale, I need to organise a gardener, a painter, new carpets and a handyman. I don’t know where to start.

Luckily, Hire A Tradesman is your one-stop shop for all trades. We prepare properties for sale, we arrange and project manage all the trades and you only have to make one phone call 1300 79 HIRE (4473).

Q – My timber floors are scratched. Can they be re-stained and do I have to move out my house?

The answer to your question depends on whether the floors are timber laminate or hardwood and whether you want an oil-based or a water-based finish.

Laminate floors can be lightly sanded as the veneer is only approximately 3mm thick. As a general rule, laminate floors can be lightly sanded only once. The best idea is to get advice from one of Hire A Tradesman’s preferred flooring advisors first.

Hardwood floors can be sanded using a method of rough then smooth sanding with a light sanding between coats. Be sure to have all the nail holes punched in and puttied as part of the works.

A water based finish is non-toxic, but be sure to confirm this with your installer. An oil-based finish is toxic and the house needs to be aired before you spend any length of time inside.

Finally, give the varnish enough time to cure (harden) after the final coat. Try not to put any furniture down for at least five days. And if you want the polish to last a long time and stay scratch free, ask your visitors to take off their shoes in the house!

Q – I would like to open out a wall from my kitchen to the lounge to make it more open plan. Can I do the work myself and do I need a permit?

The answer to this question will depend on several things:

1. is the wall structural?
2. what is it going to cost to have the works done?
3. am I changing the use of a room?
4. will the wall removed affect the look from the outside of the property?

Generally, a wall removed in a house would require a building permit. It is certainly worth speaking to your local building surveyor or council for more information. If a permit is required and you don’t obtain one then this can come back and bite you when you try to sell your house.

You will also need to be prepared for dust and mess. If you do decide to do it yourself, assuming a permit is not required, then preparation is key. Make sure you have all the safety gear, goggles, facemask and gloves. Plan out exactly how you are going to tackle the job. What seems like a small undertaking often takes a lot longer than you anticipated.

You may decide it’s best left to the professionals, in which case, contact Hire A Tradesman on 1300 79 HIRE (4473).

For professional advice, quotes and service, contact Hire A Tradesman www.hireatradesman.com.au. Hire A Tradesman franchises are now available.

Disclaimer: The advice given in this column is for general interest only. Anyone undertaking renovation, building or maintenance work should consult the relevant professionals. Hire A Tradesman takes no responsibility for work carried out on the sole advice of this column.