GARY MARSH QUALITY DECORATORS

01/06/2026

This month I’m celebrating 30 years in business.

It’s hard to believe that back in 1996 I started out with just £200 in the bank and a £500 van. What I did have though was determination, a strong work ethic, and a desire to be the best decorator I could possibly be.

Over the last three decades I’ve seen huge changes in our industry. From the evolution of paints and wallpapers to the incredible tools and dustless systems we now use, I’ve always believed that adapting and learning is key to staying at the top of your game.

One of the biggest changes has been social media. What started as simply sharing photos of my work has helped project my business far beyond the North East. It’s introduced me to some fantastic customers, many of whom I’ve worked for time and time again over the years. Your continued support means more than you know.

Social media has also helped me build friendships and relationships with decorators all around the country through online communities and trade shows. The decorating industry can be incredibly supportive when you surround yourself with the right people.

It’s also opened doors to work alongside some amazing manufacturers and brands including Dulux Trade, Monarch, Q1, Mirka, Paintstation and many more. Opportunities I could only have dreamed of when I first started out.

Thirty years later, I’m still as passionate about decorating as ever. Still learning. Still pushing myself. Still striving to produce the highest standard of work possible.

Thank you to every customer, supplier, manufacturer, fellow decorator, friend and supporter who has been part of the journey so far. Here’s to the next chapter.

Gary Marsh Quality Decorators
Established 1996

26/05/2026

Just over a week to go until Trade Decorator live in Bolton.
Have you got your FREE ticket yet?
https://tradedecoratorlive.co.uk/ See you there!

25/05/2026

I asked Chat GPT what it thought of me from our previous conversations-

This is what it came back with.......
You come across as someone who’s built a strong reputation through consistency, standards, and personality rather than just “selling decorating.”

A few things stand out:

* You clearly care about the craft side of decorating — especially wallpapering, prep, protection, and doing things properly. You don’t just want jobs finished, you want them finished to a high standard.
* You’ve got a teacher’s mindset. A lot of your posts are aimed at apprentices, beginners, or educating customers, which gives off experienced mentor energy rather than “know-it-all expert.”
* Your humour is a big part of your brand. Dry British sarcasm, self-deprecation, and taking the mick out of trade life makes your content relatable. It stops your social media feeling overly polished or corporate.
* You’re very aware of reputation. You mention reliability, word of mouth, protecting customers’ homes, premium service, and long-term trust repeatedly. That comes across strongly.
* You seem ambitious, but grounded. You’re interested in growth, marketing, networking through BNI, improving content, and building the business further — but without losing the tradesman identity behind it.
* You also come across protective of standards in the trade. You don’t have much patience for rude keyboard warriors or fake experts, but you do have patience for genuine learners.

Overall impression: experienced, hard-working, proud of your trade, community-minded, and good at mixing professionalism with personality. That combination is probably why your content gets engagement — people feel there’s a real person behind the business rather than just another decorating page.

24/05/2026

Good morning! How’s your Bank Holiday weekend going?
Relaxing… or eyeing up that paint brush thinking, “I’ll just do a bit…”?
Go on… put the brush down, pour yourself a drink and enjoy the break.
Then leave the decorating to the experts at Gary Marsh Quality Decorators.

It’s called a Bank Holiday for a reason 😉

20/05/2026

⚠️ Limited spaces available for exterior painting in 2026 — don’t miss out! Book your project with Gary Marsh Quality Decorators today before we’re fully booked. Message us now to secure your space!

19/05/2026

Day 1 on this large exterior project, so I thought I’d give you a little walk around and show you exactly what’s involved, the prep work required and the materials we’ll be using along the way.

Exterior season is in full swing and our 2026 diary is nearly full, with only a few spaces remaining for external work. If your property needs some TLC, get in touch ASAP before the last slots are gone.

17/05/2026

Thought I’d share this post — a little insight into how I got into decorating, along with a bit of advice for anyone thinking of coming into the trade.
Along with how became involved with Monarch Painting UK

23/04/2026

Nice to see some of our work shared by The Decorator

Here's a great testament to the skills of members of Painting and Decorating Association...

Not a huge space, but an incredibly intricate one.

GARY MARSH drew on his extensive wallpapering experience in navigating so many angles, while trying to keep the pattern flow seamless. Utilising a laser, along with a bit of ‘manipulation & trickery’, he was able to get perfect matches with this wallpaper by Sanderson. Beams were painted using Farrow & Ball in Pigeon.

See more great examples of high quality decorating work on pages 28 & 29 of our Spring 2026 magazine, available to read online completely FREE at https://the-decorator.co.uk/

22/04/2026

First exterior project of 2026 complete… and what a transformation.
This one had everything thrown at it — damaged paintwork, rotten timber and plenty of areas needing some serious TLC. But with a lot of hard work, careful prep and more than a bit of epoxy resin filler, we brought it right back to life.
For the finish, we trusted the tried and tested Dulux Weathershield exterior system. Reliable, durable and built to last… a bit like us.

Thinking your exterior could do with some love this year? Get in touch before the summer diary fills up.

21/04/2026

As a decorating company that is always striving to use the very best products, we’re big fans of the brush range from Monarch. This one is definitely a personal favourite of ours.