Painters and decorators in Wisbech since 1913
Profession and Tradition
A family run business since 1913 and now in its fourth generation. Almost all of our work is carried out in private residences, and when you ask P.R.Crofts and Son to carry out a job, that is exactly who you get.
1913
Family run since
Fourth
generation of Crofts
City and Guilds
Distinction, Painting and Decorating
2000+
Dulux Trade colours
How we work
Preparation is the key to any job
The basis of a professional job still lies with its foundation work. That's why you will find sandpaper, scrapers and preparation tools in our hands for a longer period than the brush.
It is the longest part of any job and, in most people's minds, the hardest and dirtiest part, which is why it is so often neglected. To us it is the beginning of a professional job.
Many skills have been passed down through the generations and many traditional methods are still used by us today. Times have changed, though, and where necessary our tools have been modernised.
“Sandpaper, scrapers and preparation tools in our hands for a longer period than the brush.”
What we do
Decorating, inside and out
Our customers cover a narrow band, with almost all of our work carried out in private residences. We do not subcontract for other companies, and we like to think this keeps us special.
- 01
Interior decorating
Walls, ceilings, picture rails, architraves and skirting boards, painted to a high standard and left tidy and clean as each room progresses.
- 02
Exterior decorating
External as well as internal decorating, including the significant repair work that outside jobs can need.
- 03
Wallpapering
Wallpapering as well as painting, so a whole room or a whole house can be decorated by the same family firm.
- 04
Preparation and repairs
Preparing and repairing cracks before any paint goes on. Preparation is the longest part of any job and the part most often neglected. To us it is the beginning of a professional job.
- 05
Carpentry
The business began as carpenters and joiners in 1913, and carpentry is still part of what we do alongside the decorating.
- 06
Colour and finishes
Dulux Trade is our preferred choice, with over 2000 colours in matt, sheen, silk, eggshell, satinwood and gloss. We can supply colour shade cards for most popular brands.
- 07
New build houses
Occasionally we decorate new build houses, strictly on a one house basis. We do not undertake site work of any description.
No subcontractors
When you ask for P.R.Crofts and Son, that is exactly who you get.
P.R.Crofts and Son is made up of father and son, Peter and Stuart Crofts, and we do not employ other decorators. We do not undertake site work of any description, and nearly all of our work comes by word-of-mouth recommendation.
Colour and finish
Over 2000 colours to choose from
We work with the latest paint systems to give a superior finish. Our preferred choice is Dulux Trade, and we can offer over 2000 colours to co-ordinate or contrast with your surroundings, in matt, sheen, silk, eggshell, satinwood and gloss.
We can supply colour shade cards for most popular brands, from the main Dulux Colour Card and Colour Palette to specific ranges such as Heritage or Light & Space. Just ask.
Ask for colour cardsOur history
A family run business since 1913, now in its fourth generation
Originally a livelihood built around carpentry and undertaking, the business turned to decorating after the Second World War. We take great pride in our 100 year plus heritage and continue to build and progress in an ever changing world.
Robert
Fred
Peter
Stuart
- 1913
1913
A carpenter and joiner sets up
The business was started by Robert William Crofts, about 1912-13, after he had spent five years as an apprentice with John James Jarvis as a carpenter and joiner.
- WWI
WWI
The First World War
With the outbreak of war Robert enlisted and, because of his trade, was sent to London, where he worked at Woolwich Arsenal and later on the docks construction.
- Elm
Elm
Home to Elm
After the war he returned home to Elm to carry on the carpenter and joiner trade, adding undertaking to the business.
- Fred
Fred
The second generation
His first son, Robert Frederick Crofts (known as Fred), joined his father in the trade. Work ranged from schools and churches to new houses and general carpentry repairs. Fred joined the civilian RAF ground force in the Second World War while his father carried on the business.
- Post-war
Post-war
Decorating begins
On Fred's return to Elm work was scarce, and it was while working at the old Queen's School that they were offered decorating work. In 1950 Robert was taken ill, and Fred carried on, employing men to help him.
- 1962
1962
Peter joins
Fred's only son Peter was employed in 1962, by which time decorating had become the main trade and undertaking had ended within the business.
- 1968
1968
Father and son partners
Peter joined Fred as a partner in 1968, and they worked together until 1990, a year before Fred passed away at the age of 78.
- 1989
1989
Stuart, the fourth generation
Stuart Crofts joined his father Peter and grandfather Fred in 1989, having helped out during school holidays long before. After two years of day release at Norfolk College of Arts and Technology in King's Lynn he gained a City and Guilds Distinction in Painting and Decorating, and a further Advanced Painting and Decorating distinction the following year.
- 1994
1994
Stuart becomes a partner
Stuart became a partner in 1994. The business has gone from strength to strength, and even with over 100 years of experience under our belts we still continue to learn and look forward to the challenges ahead.
Reviews
What our customers say
4.5 out of 5 from 12 reviews on Google
“Stuart is an exemplary professional, good time keeping , quality work , personable and knowledgeable .Highly recommend”
“Stuart did an absolutely super job of decorating several of our rooms. We could not be more thrilled with the results. I would recommend him to anyone.”
“We have used Peter and Stuart both professionally and personally for many years now. They are both very skilled, polite, efficient and tidy. We would not hesitate in recommending them to anybody.
We have had both internal and external decorating done, both of which has often required significant repair work. The end result has always been excellent.”
“We have had the whole of our house decorated inside and out to a very high standard by Peter & Stuart Crofts. The work included wall papering, painting & carpentry in all of the rooms in the house. Each room was left tidy and clean as the work progressed. The price was very reasonable too. They are trustworthy, polite, honest and hard working. We are 100% happy with our house and thoroughly recommend P R Crofts & Son to everyone!”
“Stuart came to quote for a bedroom redecoration following some water damage from a leaking roof. He turned up on time for the quote (which we then received in writing) and gave an estimated date to start work.
The work included preparing & repairing cracks etc., painting walls, ceilings, picture rails, architraves & skirting boards.
Stuart and Peter arrived as expected and the work is of high quality. He was considerate of our home and cleared up after himself at the end of the job, removing all rubbish. I would thoroughly recommend them.”
Where we work
Wisbech and surrounding villages
Based in Wisbech, with family roots in Elm going back to the First World War. We decorate homes across the town and the villages around it, including:
- Elm
- Emneth
- Outwell
- Upwell
- March
- Leverington
- Guyhirn
- Parson Drove
- Murrow
- Wisbech St Mary
- Friday Bridge
Contact
Ask for a quote
We can be contacted by telephone, email or post, and you are welcome to ask about anything on this site by email.
Telephone
01945 589874Address
38 Clarence Rd, Wisbech PE13 2ED
Opening hours
- Mon-Fri
- 8am-6pm
- Saturday
- 8am-1pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Tell us about the job
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