There is no bigger compliment for a handyman than a returning client. Recently, I received an email from Mrs. Day, a wonderful client from Kidlington I had worked for previously. She and her husband wanted to refresh their bedroom with a new coat of paint.
I arranged a visit, but during our chat, the project quickly evolved. Mrs. Day mentioned she was struggling with a lung problem, and the old, dust-trapping bedroom carpet simply had to go. I walked them through their hard-flooring options—vinyl, engineered wood, and laminate. Since it was a large room, I recommended laminate as the most budget-friendly yet durable choice.
I left them with a Dulux colour chart and details of my trusted flooring suppliers. A few days later, they approved the quote. Although my schedule was packed, replacing that dusty carpet was a health priority, so I made sure to squeeze their project in.
Day 1: Demolition, Prep, and Levelling The chosen colour was a beautiful, calming Dulux Soft Apple, paired with a large-plank laminate floor.
I arrived on day one and got straight to work. Out went the old carpet and off came the skirting boards. The walls were in fair condition, but every good paint job requires solid prep. I filled the cracks, smoothed over the plaster, and gave the entire room a pass with my large sander.
Since the ceiling didn’t need painting, I prepped my tools—making sure there was absolutely no debris on my rollers—and applied the first coat to the walls.
The most crucial step of the day, however, was the floor. A good laminate floor needs a perfectly flat base. After sanding the skirting boards, I primed the subfloor and poured 4 bags of Ultraplan Renovation Screed (25kg) to level everything out. I left it to cure and settle overnight.
Day 2: The Perfect Finish When I returned for the second day, the newly screeded floor was perfectly smooth and level.
I lightly sanded the touched-up areas on the walls and applied the second, solid coat of Soft Apple. It completely transformed the vibe of the room. While the walls dried, I painted the skirting boards with a high-performance interior wood paint for a tough, lasting finish. Finally, I rolled out a 5mm moisture-resistant underlay across the newly levelled floor, ready for the main event.
Day 3: The Final Fit and Mike’s Note The final day is always the most satisfying. I laid down approximately 15 sqm of the new large-sized laminate, making sure the cuts were precise. Once the floor was down, I reattached the freshly painted skirting boards and sealed all the edges perfectly with Mapesil AC Jasmine 130 silicone.
It took 3 full days of hard graft to complete this project, and I admit I left their house a bit tired! But looking at that clean, dust-free, beautifully painted room made it completely worth it. Most importantly, Mr. and Mrs. Day were absolutely thrilled with the result, and knowing the new floor will help her breathe easier is exactly why I love my job.
Is it time to refresh your bedroom? Whether you need a simple paint job in Kidlington, a new laminate floor in Summertown, or full room prep across Oxfordshire, I’m here to help.
👉 Contact Oxford Handyman Pro today to get your home sorted.
🌐 Get a Quote Today! 👉 https://oxfordhandymanpro.co.uk/#contact
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