ONLINE LISTINGS
Why couldn't I find you on "Check-a-Trade", "Trust-a-Trader", "The Little Green Book", etc?
The reason is simply financial. What a lot of people don't realise is that most of the so-called "trusted recommendation" web sites are basically another form of paid advertising. It's not at all unusual for them to charge in the region of £700 per year for your business to appear in their directory. If I put my business in three or four of those, I'd be spending close to a month's income each year. That's fine for bigger firms who have budgets for that sort of thing, but for me as a "sole trader" it simply isn't viable.
Additionally, while they position themselves as "independent trustworthy guides" for people, once you realise that all the listings are paid for, you begin to wonder just how independent they really are. To get a great profile on one of these sites all I need is £700 and a few friends to write me recommendation letters...
As a result, I get most of my business from real recommendations, either from people who have used my services recommending me to their friends and neighbours, or simply from the same people booking me again and again over time.
To read what some genuine customers have to say about me and my work, please have a look at a few examples on the right.
REVIEWS
If you're a satisfied customer and would like to help my business by posting an online review, that would be great, I'd be very grateful. Please use one of the following links:
REFERENCES
I've included a few quotes here from letters, emails and text messages I've been fortunate to receive from satisfied customers, the majority of whom have been kind enough to invite me back to work in their homes on more than one occasion. If you would like to see some of the original letters, please just ask (although these days they are mostly texts and emails).
QUOTES FROM CUSTOMERS
"Wow!!! We absolutely love (our daughter's) room! She is so happy...thank you! All the work looks brilliant! Thank you so much for everything this week. It's making such a difference." - Mrs C, Shiplake, October 2024
"This is the second time Rob has decorated for us and we are as delighted as we were before. This time he did our dining room, 2 x bedrooms, 3 x bathrooms and 2 x offices. As well as doing a beautiful job, he is a conscientious and tidy worker and a joy to have around." - Mr & Mrs J, Finchampstead, October 2024
"Thank you for doing such a fantastic job, and so quickly as well!" - Mr W, Wokingham, May 2024
"Thank you for letting us have your invoice for the decorating that you did for us. We were so pleased with it! Thank you once again, and we will see you soon!" - Mr & Mrs C, Emmbrook, May 2024
"Once again, thanks for the work you did, we were very pleased with it all." - Mr & Mrs C, Wokingham, January 2024
"Once again, thank you for a job well done. As always, we appreciate your professionalism, excellent workmanship and trustworthiness; we are very happy with the results throughout our whole house, it has now been transformed into our own (colourful) home." - Mr & Mrs E, Wokingham, October 2023
"Absolutely delighted with dining room and bathroom. What a surprise....lovely to come back to." - Mrs P, Emmbrook, August 2023
"Can't believe it!! What a surprise to come home to it all...done!! Thank you so much Robin. 5 Star job as always!" - Mrs P, Emmbrook, June 2023
"Thank you for another superb decorating job; we are absolutely delighted with our new colour schemes. The quality of your work is second to none, and your professionalism and kindness mean a lot. We look forward to seeing you again soon." - Mr & Mrs E, Wokingham, May 2023
"Your work has been of a very high standard, and...we are very pleased. You are very professional as a decorator...in your dress, time-keeping, customer relations and quality of work. Thank you very much Robin." - Mr & Mrs O, Finchampstead, March 2023
"Wow, looks amazing. Thank you so much for all the brilliant work again. It really does all look brilliant! Thanks Robin." - Mrs C, Shiplake, March 2023
"We are very pleased with our hall, landing and stairs, thank you again for another super decorating job." - Mr & Mrs E, Wokingham, February 2023
"Thank you for your excellent work - R and I are extremely pleased with the quality of your work." - Mr O, Wokingham, January 2023
"Thank you Robin so much, that's fantastic, we really appreciate it!" - Mrs W, Finchampstead, December 2022
"Wow, it all looks brilliant! Thank you so much for completing everything, including the extra kitchen bits too. We really appreciate all your hard work. It really does all look so good, thank you!" - Mrs C, Shiplake, September 2022
"Robin decorated most rooms in my house and some exterior paintwork. I'm overjoyed with the standard of service and the quality of finish. Robin took pride in his work, was very professional, and his timekeeping was brilliant. His prices are fair, and I would strongly recommend him." - Mrs T, Wokingham, September 2022
"Thanks soooo much again, Robin! Really so happy with it!" - Mrs N, Emmbrook, September 2022
"Thanks for an absolutely brilliant job over the last few months." - Mrs J, Emmbrook, July 2022
"I would like to thank you again for your very professional and competent workmanship, we are really pleased with our new lounge! And thank you for your very fair price, lower than the original quote, we appreciate your honesty and integrity." - Mrs E, Wokingham, July 2022
"Thanks once again - superb job!" - Mrs R, Emmbrook, June 2022
"Thank you so much Robin for your patience and hard work involved in painting my lounge and conservatory. I am delighted with both, a great result and very much appreciated." - Mrs H, Winnersh, April 2022
"The painting looks amazing - thank you." - Ms S, Woosehill, March 2022
"So pleased with the painting, you have done a fab job." - Mrs H, Wokingham, March 2022.
"We are delighted with the work you did, and would definitely contact you for future projects." - Mrs F, Wokingham, February 2022
"We have worked with Robin at WDS for 10 years. WDS provide a first class service, has great knowledge, super helpful and tidy, we are always pleased with the results." - Mr & Mrs L, Wokingham, January 2022
"Thanks again for all your work. We love what you've done here, and so does everyone who's seen it!" - Mr & Mrs J, Finchampstead, December 2021
"The room is great, really pleased with it, thank you. In fact it's so good I treated it to some new curtains!" - Mrs W, Emmbrook, November 2021
"I'm thrilled with a capital 'Th'! I can't tell you how thrilled I am!" - Mrs T, Binfield, October 2021
"Thank you so much for your patience and suggestions regarding colour choices. It has been very much a pleasure having you decorate my home." - Mrs H, Winnersh, August 2021
"Thank you again for a superb job - meticulous and thorough, as we've come to expect from you. You've made two old people really happy!" - D & R, Emmbrook, July 2021
"Robin, thankyou for a lovely job... the room is lovely and looks so bright, bless you! I'm so glad...I now have a new super hero on my team of lovely fellas!" - Mrs C, May 2021
"Robin produced very detailed estimates for the hall, stairs and landing plus the downstairs toilet and dining room. In addition he provided useful fact sheets on the various types of paint/finish. Started work on 1st March and finished on 18th. Each day Robin started at 9am and finished around 5pm most days. Robin was meticulous in putting down dust sheets and ensured his work schedule would not interfere with our day. Quality of work was excellent and we are extremely pleased with the result. Would recommend." - Mr D, Winnersh, April 2021
"Robin - the painting looks amazing, thank you so much!!" - Ms S, Woosehill, February 2021
"We are very pleased with your makeover of the family room, and think the bookcase has been painted to a very high standard and is perfect for purpose. As promised, here are some pictures. Thank you for all the paintwork you have done in our home, we could not be happier with the decorating you have done." - Mr & Mrs M, Barkham, February 2021
"Thanks again for a great decorating job - we are really pleased with it." - Mrs B, Wokingham, January 2021
"I can highly recommend Robin. Very professional. Excellent quality of work. He achieved more in two days than I could in a week. Probably two weeks to be honest. He really just gets on with it. I will be getting him back fir some ceilings in the new year :)" - Mr M, Emmbrook, December 2020
"Thank you very much. I love my hall, stairs and landing now. My daughter thinks it is great." - Mrs S, Wokingham, November 2020
"Thanks so much, Rob. You've made two old people very happy. A really superb job." - Mr C, Emmbrook, September 2020
"WOW! You've done a great job, thank you. As ever, I am delighted with your work." - Mrs T, Binfield, July 2020
"Thank you Robin, both rooms look fab!" - Mrs M, Winnersh, June 2020
"Thankyou so much... it looks really lovely!!" - Ms L, Wokingham, June 2020
"Many thanks for an excellent job." - Mr & Mrs W, Woosehill, March 2020
"Robin painted and wallpapered my hall, landing & stairs. I was really pleased with the finished result and will be asking him to decorate my lounge in a few months time. Robin was very clean & tidy in his work and on time every morning. Nothing was too much trouble for him and I would highly recommend him." - Mrs W, Wokingham, February 2020
"Thanks for another excellent job." - Mr & Mrs J, Emmbrook, February 2020
"The room looks brilliant! Thank you so much!" - Mrs C, Emmbrook, January 2020
"Kitchen looking lovely - thanks Robin!!!" - Ms S, Woosehill, January 2020
"Thankyou for doing a fantastic job on my daughter's room." - Mrs M, Binfield, October 2019
"I was very impressed with Robin's reliability and attention to detail. Was a total joy to have working on the house, and if it wasn't for the fact he is so busy I would recommend him in a heartbeat." - Ms G, Winnersh, May 2019
"Thank you Robin. Very, very pleased with the painting of the whole house, especially the stairs. Will definitely recommend you." - EH, Woosehill, February 2019
"Excellent!" - Mrs C, Barkham, January 2019.
"Thank you very much for the fantastic work you have done on our garage door. We are very pleased." - Mrs N, Emmbrook, November 2018.
"Once again, many thanks for a fantastic job and service. Both of us are very happy with the standard of work you have produced." - Mr & Mrs G, Emmbrook, May 2018.
"Thank you once again for the great job you did on the kitchen. It looks stunning." - Mrs M, Barkham, March 2018.
"Thank you again for a splendid piece of work. We will have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone in the area who has any decorating needs; indeed, you may be hearing from our next door neighbours at some point soon." - Mr & Mrs T, Emmbrook, February 2018.
"Many thanks for the lovely work you have done for us!" - Mrs H, Emmbrook, January 2018.
"Great job Robin, we are both very pleased with the result." - Mr & Mrs W, Finchampstead, December 2016.
"Robin - Thank you!! It's looking great (and thanks for taking in all the deliveries!)" - Mr & Mrs L, Emmbrook, December 2016.
"Thank you for a lovely job last week. Always happy to act as a reference." - Mr & Mrs H, Wokingham Without, June 2016.
"Thanks for the lovely painting and wallpapering Robin - we really appreciate it." - Mr & Mrs R, Emmbrook, May 2016.
"I just want to say a big thank you for painting the bathroom - it looks great." - Mrs W, Wokingham, May 2016.
"Rob has undertaken a number of projects for us during the last few years. He has decorated our lounge, study, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, and most recently completely refurbished our utility room. Rob is a gem. Totally honest, reliable and transparent with his costs, which are very reasonable. He goes to great lengths to ensure that his customer is satisfied with his work. You will not find any better. The quality of his work is exemplary. Whenever we have decorating work to be done Rob is always our first port of call. It is rare nowadays to find somebody in whom you can have complete trust to be in your property when you are not there. Recommended unreservedly!" - Mr & Mrs S, Wokingham, December 2015.
"Thanks very much again for the excellent job you did in our hall/stairs/landing and kitchen." - Mr & Mrs R, Winnersh, December 2015.
"I would highly recommend Mr Gofton to undertake any work, as he is honest, conscientious and hard-working. The work he carried out for me was to a very high standard and I was very happy to have Mr Gofton working in my home while I was absent. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending him." - Mrs H, Emmbrook.
"We recently asked Robin to decorate our kitchen and study while we were away on holiday. He did both rooms to our great satisfaction, leaving the house clean and tidy. We were grateful to be able to leave the house in his keeping, knowing that he is utterly trustworthy." - Mr & Mrs P, Wokingham.
"It is with great pleasure that I am able to write a recommendation for Rob. I have employed Rob on three occasions now for help with a variety of painting and decorating jobs (large and small) in a house I have recently purchased. As I live on my own and work full time, I was able to leave Rob with a set of my keys and have absolute trust in him. He has even taken in deliveries for me! The quality of his work is very good and he is very thorough with his attention to detail, and is willing to be flexible on hours. Rob always communicates regarding requirements to make sure he fully understands the brief, and has been an enormous help so far. In this industry it is hard to find someone that you can completely trust, and I have no hesitation in recommending the quality of his work." - Mss S, Bracknell.
"Just wanted to thank you again for the excellent job you did on the painting!" - LS, Reading.
"Many thanks for a wonderful job done. I'm extremely pleased with the final result. Everyone says how elegant the hall looks!" - Mrs R, Finchampstead.
"Being overseas it is pretty challenging buying, decorating and furnishing a house I've never seen. You have proven to be 100% dependable, flexible and reliable, and you would have realised how tricky it could have been for me if you hadn't been all those things. Basically the house will be ready to go on the lettings market tomorrow, completely refreshed and furnished, only 10 days after getting the keys. The feedback I have on your work is all positive, and my mum says she'd be happy to have you work in her house! Very reliable and flexible, and provides a Rolls Royce service." - Mr N, Reading Landlord working overseas at the time.
"I have been really pleased by your honesty and integrity - people you can trust these days are far too rare." - AM, Reading.
"We are very pleased with all the work you have done in all three part of the house, and I am sure it will not be long before we are in touch again." - Mr & Mrs P, Calcot.
"The bathroom is looking fantastic. I so wish I had taken "before" pictures, because it looks so much nicer now!! You have done a great job." - Mrs R, Wokingham.
"It looks fantastic. Thanks for all your hard work." - Mrs J, Wokingham.
"Thankyou so much - you will be enthusiastically recommended." - Mr & Mrs M, Wokingham.
"The rooms look great - thanks for a really good job." - Ms C, Wokingham.
"Rob - Great job! Many thanks, please use us for any references." - Mr & Mrs H, Crowthorne.