The Painting & Decorating Show

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel look at the impact of unplanned time off - and how losing days on the tools can quickly mean losing money too.They’re joined by decorators who have experienced unexpected time away from work for different reasons, while Joel shares his own recent experience of unplanned time off and the impact it had on his business.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel react to a new BCIS report showing that the cost of decorating work rose by 4.1% in the year to early 2026 — more than double the increase recorded the previous year.They’re joined by commercial decorator James Reeve from Royal Spa Decoration and domestic decorator Bryan Dennett to find out what they've been experiencing.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel look back at the decorating jobs that went wrong, became a nightmare, or simply turned out to be far more trouble than they were worth.They’re joined by decorators Ashley Woodcock and Heather Isherwood to hear about the jobs they’d never want to take on again, the challenges they’ve faced on site, the moments they’ve come close to giving up, and the worst things they’ve experienced with customers and projects.Joel and Todd also share some of their own examples - both within the trade and before they got into Painting & Decorating! 

Todd Von Joel and Joel Bardall tackle the paperwork, admin and other jobs that come with running a trade business.Todd admits he’s been struggling with a mental block when it comes to keeping on top of the back end of his business, so they speak to fellow business owners Chris Ordinaire and Danny Webb about how they manage everything from invoicing and quotes to bookkeeping, emails, ordering materials and keeping records.They share the systems they’ve developed, what they’ve learned through trial and error, and some of the common traps that can make business admin even more difficult.

From dealing with customers who want to watch you work, colour-matching between different brands and damaged dust sheets, to awkward cancellations, cash payments, van damage, negotiating discounts and accidentally sending a message about a customer to the customer themselves...Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel discuss what they would do in each situation, drawing on their own experiences and debating where they would draw the line. 

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel are joined by Jason Savage of Novitas Decorators, a successful South East London-based painting and decorating business.Jason talks about growing his business, taking on and managing a team of decorators, the challenges that come with running a busy decorating company, and the positives of bringing other people into the business.The conversation also gets into Jason’s specialist work, including Lincrusta, high-end wallpapering and spraying, as well as the courses and upskilling that have helped him develop his skills and take on more specialist projects.Finally, Joel, Todd and Jason discuss reputation — from word of mouth and social media to Google reviews — and how building a strong online presence can help generate new business and attract the right kind of clients.A great episode for decorators looking to grow their business.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel look into some new products, tools, workwear, materials and ideas that are on the market, that some in the trade might not be aware of.Wayne De Wet, who is well known for his honest reviews and product testing joins the show to give an exclusive on workwear and shares an insight into good uses of new materials and finishes. Ryan Painter from Rocket Decorating shares some paints that have surprised him recently and more.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel talk to fellow Decorators about what to do if you get second feelings about a job - either in the quoting phases or once you've taken it on. Joel also shares a recent postive from a job and there's some great stories from guests too.Guests: Jason Savage (Novitas Decorators) & Wesley Knight (WKPD)

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel are joined by two Decorators who have been invited on to help Todd with a tricky upcoming exterior project. Guests: Bryan Dennett & Steve Timbrell.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel talk to fellow Painters & Decorators about how far you take the finish and dealing with those "while you're here" requests. Is it people pleasing or are you just a perfectionist? Guests: Stuart McClean, Joanne Hay & James Reeve.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel talk about their use of ladders on exterior and interior projects. There's also some chat about trial and error with ladder set ups and past mishaps as well.

Todd Von Joel and Joel Bardall talk about going above and beyond for little reaction or the times where you work longer than you quoted for. Could you build that time into the quote and feel confident in explaining why? What about handling those 'while you're here' requests? 

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel look into the approach to getting what we need for the work. They talk about shopping around, whether we get stuff ourselves or leave it to the client, shopping online vs at the merchants, a chat about trade prices and also what happens when you reccomend something that then starts failing on you. Guests: Jon Graham (JG Decorator) & Alex Woodward.

Joel and Todd talk to Ashley Woodcock (A Woodcock Decorators) & Andy Hamilton (AR Decor) about the worst places they've ever worked. There's stories about unhinged customers, awful working conditions and more.

Todd Von Joel and Joel Bardall talk about the common and hidden hazards faced by decorators. They talk about breathing in bad stuff, working in grotty houses, working from height and other hazards faced and how to navigate them.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel find out about the approach to taking on the trade in the US as well as some of the innovation and exciting products coming to the UK from America. Colin Bidwell from Paint Shack joins first to talk through some new products making there way to the UK. Painter, Ben Hildre from Minnesota joins the boys to talk about his 25 years experience working in the trade in America and shares the incredible story behind the invention he created.

In this episode, Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel chat with decorators who are using their skills to make a real difference through community projects. They catch up with Jen The Decorator about her experience working on DIY SOS - how she got involved, what the experience was like, and why giving back mattered to her. They also hear from decorator Karis Fear about her work with Band of Builders. Karis discusses the projects she’s been part of, and the personal experiences that inspired her to get involved, including her daughter Amelia’s journey with dyskinetic cerebral palsy and the challenges of accessing life-changing therapy and support. Later in the episode, Joel and Todd also share their own thoughts on community projects in the trade, what can stop people from getting involved, and why these positive stories deserve far more attention.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel are joined by travelling mural artist Kathleen Dieux to explore how she uses VR technology to design and deliver large-scale artwork around the world. They discuss her creative process, pricing, materials and standout experiences from working internationally, before Joel and TVJ debate whether they’d ever use VR in their own work and the appeal of travelling abroad for jobs.

In this episode, Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel discuss tools, materials and anything new they have been looking into. From improvements with existing tools, to VR - this episode explores what works, and what doesn’t. Ultimately, Joel and Todd question: have we hit a bit of a dead end when it comes to innovation?

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel invite Chris Ordinaire and Peter Clark to join them and share three game changing/career defining changes they made to their business. Joel and Todd share an example or two of their own and Joel talks about two very different clients he's been working for.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel talk to Dan and Sarah from 'The Ugly Duckling Kitchens' talk about their story and journey with the business over the past 13 years. Dan talks about how he developed his skills after leaving the Armed Forces and trying a variety of different jobs. Sarah talks about the business growth and how they targeted the market with their niche. Dan talks about his approach to completing the work with tools and finishes and Sarah explains the quoting phase and where it will go from here.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel check in with some fellow Decorators so that they can compare notes on what demand is like currently. Sian Francis gives a perspective from Hampshire and talks about what she's still in demand for and what type of enquiries have dropped off for her business. Ashley Woodcock talks about having to step outside of his comfort zone and take on work that he wouldn't usually do. Joel and Todd share their own thoughts and experiences and more.

Todd Von Joel and Joel Bardall talk to Marc Silver from Murwalls about some of their amazing community based projects that's seen them re-shape the underpasses and town centres like Harlow and Stevenage. Marc talks about audio descriptive murals and the incredible story about how that came about. He talks about how they completed and updated murals for the Lionesses after they beat Spain in the Euros last summer and talks about the Diogo Jota 20 mural. There's also discussion about use of augmented reality and what next for Murwalls.

Joel Bardall has had a tricky time with a customer that has no trust in tradespeople after being knocked in the past. Joel and Todd talk about the frustration that this can cause when you're being honest or have to explain a setback or unexpected issue that's cropped up on a job. Psychotherapist, Enda Murphy (Author of Five Steps To Happiness) joins the boys to explain how you can build trust with customers and also handle confrontation and difficult conversations with customers.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel follow up last week's show with a conversation about spotting customer red flags. James Reeve from Royal Spa Decoration talks about his experience coming across red flags and dealing with issues that emerge once the work has begun. A Decorator from the Isle of Wight joins the show to share a nightmare situation he faced... but with a fellow tradesperson rather than a customer. 

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel talk to fellow Painter & Decorator - Michael - about his nightmare situation with a customer that's seen him massively out of pocket and considering whether he would carry on working in the trade. 

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel are joined by two brand new guests on the show to follow up last week's 'Does It Really Matter' topic and discuss why they do certain things the way they do them and also how they answer all the critics that snag their work and approach online.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel address some comment opinions found online about the trade and ask - "Does it really matter!?" There's comments on workwear, qualifications, using social media and online services for your business and more! 

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel talk to tradespeople who have had careers as professional athletes. Marlie Packer OBE talks about her incredible Rugby Union career playing for England (Saracens, Bath, Wasps) and winning two World Cups, while also working on the tools thoughout her playing career as a Plumber. Danny 'Cassius' Connor talks about his professional boxing career and career progression in construction which has seen him win titles and take on the role of Site Manager & Crane Operator. Joel and Todd talk about their own (lack of) sporting abilities and also share some exciting news about Fix Fest 2026.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel talk about their approach to decorating our own home and how far they go in achieving a professional finish when it's their own free time, money and the family will mess it up anyway. Andy Hamilton from AR Decor joins the chat and talks about his experiences.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel look into the production process of paint, find out what makes paint cost what it does, some of the innovation, research and development and what the future holds for many paints and finishes. Guests: Jon Mears (Teknos) & Peter Howard (Akzonobel)

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel ask Decorators to join them and share some of their tips, tricks and advice. Todd also asks Joel for some advice for an upcoming job. Guests: Colin Bidwell (Paint Shack) & Wesley Knight (WKPD)

Joel and Todd take a week to answer some questions sent into the show. There's bits on about rules of the trade, confessions, debates online & more!

Todd Von Joel and Joel Bardall share two stories of good will and charity with a Painting & Decorating angle to them. The first story is about Emmaus - a homeless charity who is putting to use old paint and giving it and the homeless a new lease of life in the local community. There's also the story of how 30 or more Decorators came together on a single day, for a great cause in Northern Ireland. Guests: Chris Mengell & Gerrard Donaghy.

After doing a show recently about putting up prices, Joel and Todd look at how you can make little improvements and tweaks to your business to justify customers paying for a premium service. James Reeve from Royal Spa Decoration shares examples of improvements he's made to great effect. Construction Coach, Maria Coulter joins the discussion to share some expert insight and advice.

Todd Von Joel and Joel Bardall talk about their approach to driving for work. They touch on the most frustrating aspects of driving as a tradesperson, from the worst kinds of fellow road users to parking nightmares and why losing your cool isn't the answer. 

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel look into whether it's a must to put your prices up for the year ahead. Joel and Todd discuss the rising cost of things - both on the tools and in society. Marketing Expert for Decorators, Jon Mears joins the conversation and gives an in-depth explanation on how to approach pricing in the new year, what the budget means for many, the opportunity around apprenticeships. Joel and Todd also read some comments from Reddit with regards to what the public think the value of having their home decorating might be. 

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel talks about what 2025 has been like for many in the trade. Gary Burton joins the show to give his thoughts and a bit of an overview on what he thinks is in demand and where he's seen demand drop off in the market. Heather Isherwood returns after sharing her breast cancer story about six months ago. Heather gives an update on her recovery, talks about getting into spraying and shares the plan for next year when she needs another surgery to aide in her treatment. Joel and Todd also wrap up the year for them and share some final thoughts on the trade and life in 2025.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel look into the argument as to whether too many methods, tips about working with materials and skills are being shared with the public on social media. John Kerry joins the discussion to explain why he thinks so many online are giving way too much away and how this creates a tougher market for Decorators to operate in effectively. Joanna Hay, well known on social media for sharing tips and tricks joins and explains her point of view on the topic.

Joel Bardall & Todd Von Joel talk about other trades 'doing the painting as well' when the client asks. Danny Madden, General Builder & Roofer talks about when he will and won't do the decorating himself and whether he could come close to matching the standards of a pro. Kevin Tingley AKA THe Paint Warrior gives his perspective and talks about what he's witnessed from builders and other trades having a go. Plasterer & DIY Crew Member, Chris Frediani talks about when he's asked from the perspective of a finishing trade and what happens when non trade based volunteers 'have a go' on DIY SOS.

Joel and Todd react to a news story and survey that placed Decorators LAST (8th overall) as the most unfit trade in construction. Retired Olympian turned Decorator, Dan Jervis joins the discussion to share his thoughts and Nathan Carter also joins the discussion due to his reputation for looking after his physique.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel look into why so many are saying they're considering giving up the trade and finding a new career path. Dan Rolfe joins the show to talk about his discontent working in the trade, giving it up and taking a break and his return to Decorating. Jon Graham gives his take on why so many might be struggling to keep working in the trade currently and whether he's ever considered quitting.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel set up some scenarios they've faced and discuss ways in which they've solved them.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel are joined by Sian Francis, Who talks about the incredible success and rapid growth of her business. Sian talks about her start in Painting & Decorating, How she approached setting up a business, taking on commerical jobs, apprentices, quoting, paints, social media, DIY SOS and so much more! 

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel talk to Decorators about how to predict your timeline and plot out a timeline accurately on jobs. Joel and Todd talk about the trial and error, what you communicate to clients, how to handle overrun and also ask guests about their tips and advice for getting this right. Guests: Jason Savage & Sean Kelly.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel are joined by Decorators to talk about their worst mistakes and how they solved them. Joel and Todd also share their own and what they've done to avoid them happening again. Guests: Ryan Painter & Ashley Woodcock.

Todd Von Joel and Joel Bardall talk to Decorators about their working habits and practices. This means everything from prep work and taking time for quotes/estimates to bringing lunch and how clean the back of the van is! Guests include: Sian Francis & Wesley Knight.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel talk ask decorators to share some of the bizarre stories they have from working in domestic properties over the years. Guests include: Jen Gardner AKA Jen The Decorator, Joanna Ramirez AKA Decor By Jo & Bryan Dennett from LF Dennett & Son.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel talk to fellow Decorator, Joe Hunt, about the challenges he had trying to become qualified, finding training options that worked for him and the struggle to find someone to take him on. Joel and Todd talk about why it's such a tough leap for a small business owner to take someone on and there's advice for anyone looking to stand out.

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel look into a range of options for vehicles best suited to the trade. Carl Brookes from Trade Vans UK talks about the vehicle types and makes that he feels are best for Decorators and gives his ultimate top three to look into. Chris Ordinaire talks about his approach to having a van for his work on the brushes and fellow Fix Radio Presenter, Todd Glister talks about buying versus leasing and which option he feels is best for tradespeople.