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My life in paint: Richard Hutton

Richard Hutton, owner of 1 Finishing Touch, talks to us about how determination and effort goes a long way in the painting and decorating business, and how going that extra mile for customers reaps the rewards.

Why did you choose a career in painting and decorating?

When I was 18, I used to make fruit machines and I ended up getting into the painting trade quite unexpectedly. To cut a long story short, a former colleague started his own decorating business and after meeting up with him in the pub one night, he asked me to join him. It has been a massive learning curve for me and I have picked up all of my skills along the way, but I have found a real passion for the trade and I haven't looked back since.

Tell me about your company

I established 1 Finishing Touch in 1989 and we have been offering a quality painting and decorating service for over twenty years. In 2000, we expanded our offering to cover a wide range of property maintenance services and today we carry out small and large projects, from single room decoration through to full building refurbishment.

What sets your company aside from the rest?

We strive to go that one step further. It doesn't matter how big or small a renovation job is, it's always about that finishing touch. We also have the knowledge and expertise in all areas of painting and decorating, and cover the full spectrum of refurbishment and building works.

I also guarantee the price we quote our customers will be the price they pay! If we get it wrong, we do the extras for free.

What would you say has been your biggest challenge since the start of your career?

One of the biggest challenges for me has been to find excellent tradesmen that will work to the high standards that I expect. It's important that the lads provide a top quality service every time, to not only ensure projects are completed well but that we continue to build up confidence with the clientele. At 1 Finishing Touch we rely on our reputation for ongoing business and we truly believe that you are only as good as your last job.

What project are you most proud of?

I am always proud of the projects that I'm involved with, as I make certain that I complete them to the best of my ability. Recently, I completed a major refurbishment at an estate agent. The transformation included the redecoration of the interior walls, as well as the installation of new flooring, under floor heating and suspended ceilings. It was a big job and I felt such a great sense of achievement when the project was finished, and was proud that I had helped to restore it.

What is the best thing about your job?

I really enjoy making properties look fantastic and I get a real sense of pride when the customers see the end result for the first time, and comment on how good it looks.

What is the worst thing about your job?

Unreasonable customers can make the job hard at times. Sometimes customers have unrealistic expectations, such as demanding that no mess or disruption is made during the painting process. Regardless of the amount of hard work and effort we put in, some customers will never be happy.

What advice would you give to others wanting to get into painting and decorating?

Always strive to be better than the next tradesman and go beyond what is expected of you. It's important to really understand the needs of the customer and how to make them happy. Also, a good education will also ensure great results and, nowadays, there is plenty of training and qualifications available. And remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

What do you do when you are not decorating?

I love to keep fit. I regularly go mountain biking on the weekends with my friends. We travel all over the country with our bikes, heading off to Scotland and Wales. I also go to Box Fit and Yoga once a week.

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