D.Barrett Decorating

01/09/2026

Coming back to work today after a 10 day break but after two days of my break, I realised how burned out I was.

Up until my break I had been working 6, 7 day weeks since May, fitting in jobs on evenings alongside viewing jobs, doing invoices and quotes etc, juggling cash flows for jobs, plus running around after the kids and school, sorting the house out, then trying to fit myself in at some point. I started missing the things on jobs I never did before and this added more pressure on me. Snapping at people over the tiniest inconvenience which I never do. My partner noticed it weeks ago yet being a stubborn man I just kept saying I'll be ok don't worry. But I wasn't and really I knew it, I recognised the signs from the Mental Health First Aid courses, yet I still carried on.

It wasn't until I didn't have to do any of this and the weight of it all stopped being so heavy that I realised its unsustainable. So it was while I was sat in the hot tub I made a few decisions.

Weekend work will be a last resort only, I'm taking the time for me and family.

Trying to squeeze jobs into a filled diary has to stop. From now any new jobs will be allocated to the first available slot even if that is two, three months down the line.

Sticking to my systems and tried and trusted methods. It deviating from these that end up causing me more trouble so no more.

I understand I may end up letting some people down or losing jobs but for my own health and personal wellbeing, plus to be able to provide the level of service I expect from myself, this is how it will be moving forward.

26/08/2026

13/08/2026

I’ve been a bit quiet on the socials for a while due to working a lot trying to keep deadlines and working around changing schedules. Anyway here is a job I completed back in April for a repeat customer in Tipton.
Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt on ceiling and walls including arch, Dulux Heritage Eggshell on the woodwork and wardrobes followed by two walls papered.
Taking bookings now for mid October onwards, get in touch through the usual channels

04/06/2026

Bedroom completed recently in Bewdley for a repeat customer. Walls were stripped and prepared then lined with Wallrock before two coats of Dulux Heritage Velvet Matt, ceilings sanded and finished in Dulux Ultra Matt and woodwork prepped and finished in Benjamin Moore Scuff X then a feature wall papered.
Taking bookings now for September onwards, get in touch through the usual channels for a quote

01/05/2026

9 years and still going strong. I see all the time on various forums I can’t justify spending x amount on a mirka or festool. There’s a reason many of us do and that’s because they last, this machine has been used on almost every job I’ve done since purchasing it

28/04/2026

Recent job completed in Stourbridge. Walls and ceilings stripped and papered, woodwork all painted.
Availability going quickly for the summer and almost into the autumn, get in touch through the usual channels