bit of non frontera advice if poss

i have been asked by a friend to do some painting for them. i'm no expert but i can paint and prep ok i would never dream of asking pro prices, and i don't want to take the micky i have done a fair bit for them for nothing. they are a single mom with not much money but it is my time and tools taken up. they want a hall stairs and landing painting gloss work and walls+ceiling i reacon i can do the prep in a day the gloss work in a day and the rest in a day and half. as i said i don't want to take the mick but time is money any ideas and opinions grateful.

That depends on how much your time is worth, and the costs of materials.
If you have a full time job, then you would want to at least match the hourly rate that you would have been paid.
HOWEVER you have described a situation that I would not charge anything for,
if thay buy the paint etc, then maybe they feed you for a few days whilst painting, then in return they launder and iron your clothes for say 10 lots.

my time at the mo is free materials they are providing and i don't mind doing it it's a really strange shape hall stairs and landing i'm after some stuff for the fronty, was thinking of charging £20 a fraction of the pro cost considering they are providing the stuff and i'm providing the tools and the time i think thats fair single mom very hard work i think. i tried staying at home once never again rather go to work stay at home mums/fathers dserve a medal.

in that situation, feed me water me, and throw me some fuel money

yep probably by the time i've drunk her tea it'll cost more than that :lol:

As above, food, water and petrol money. Particularly if its for friends.

I did some time as a decorators mate so if you need any pointers.

Paint choice is crucial, depending on the surface to be painted and the finish required it may pay to get a better 'one coat' paint. They are more expensive but you will use less in the long run and will probably only have to go over heavily soiled areas with a second coat. Dulux one coat or Crown solo are both good, but I would lean towards crown.

Unfinished surfaces (plaster, brickwork) will need 2 coats regardless. Wallpaper is best removed but can be painted over and sometimes leaves a nice texture once overpainted. Lifting edges can be glued down with wood glue and wiped afterwards with a damp cloth. Any bits of varnish will have to be scraped/sanded off surfaces to be painted or the paint will not stick and will flake off when dry.
Definately get a tube or 2 of decorators caulk and a dispensing gun and a tub of polyfilla. Helps with little gaps and cracks and for sealing around skirting boards, and door frames to give a more finished look.

And of course plenty of masking tape unless you are good at cutting in, particularly if there is any carpet anywhere and dont forget to do the ceilings first ;-)

cheers got loads of prep stuff and loads of masking tape no good at cutting in but getting better now i've painted my own house

Hi
I paid my daughter to paint our kitchen and my living room, there was no gloss work needed and I paid £60.00 for the job, mind you I had to wash and clean the brushes :roll:

Happy painting

Regards
Roo