Service
Painter and decorator in Upper Norwood
A good paint finish is decided before the lid comes off the tin. Luc fills, sands and primes properly, then paints walls, ceilings and woodwork with sharp lines and even coats, in homes and rentals from SE19 to Croydon, Dulwich and nearby Surrey.
Interior painting
Walls and ceilings in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, halls and stairwells. Clean cut-in lines where colours meet, and the right number of coats for an even finish.
Woodwork
Doors, frames, skirting, architrave, window boards and staircases. Woodwork shows every shortcut, so it gets sanded, filled and undercoated where it needs it.
Preparation
Washing down, filling cracks, sanding, caulking gaps and spot priming. It is the slow, unglamorous part. It is also why the finish lasts.
Decorating after new plaster
New plaster needs to dry properly before paint, and there is no fixed date for that. Thickness, the wall behind, temperature and airflow all play a part, and a pale colour on the surface is not proof on its own. Forcing it with heat can cause cracking.
The first coat is a primer or mist coat chosen to suit the paint and plaster manufacturers’ guidance, not a one-size dilution. When Luc has done the plastering too, he checks the walls himself before decorating.
Older coatings and damp
Sanding is a big part of preparation, but not on everything. Textured ceilings or coatings of unknown age are left alone until they have been tested for asbestos. Stains from damp or leaks are a sign to find the cause first; paint over them and they tend to come back.
Getting a good quote
A few things that help.
Which rooms, and which surfaces
Walls only, or ceilings and woodwork as well? It changes the time a lot.
Photos in daylight
A wide shot of each room plus close-ups of cracks or damage.
Colours, if you know them
Strong colour changes may need extra coats. Dark to light especially.
Your timing
Moving in, a sale, or no rush. It helps Luc plan honestly.
Common questions
Do you supply the paint?
Either way works. Luc can buy materials and include them in the quote, or use paint you have chosen.
Can you just paint one room?
Yes. Single rooms, hallways and woodwork-only jobs are all welcome.
Do you move furniture?
Luc will move and cover what is reasonable. Fragile or very heavy items are best moved beforehand.
How soon can new plaster be painted?
When it is properly dry, which depends on the job and the room. Luc checks rather than setting a date in advance.
Where Luc works
Based in Upper Norwood, SE19 2AL, covering south east London and nearby Surrey, including Purley, Coulsdon, Kenley and out towards Banstead by arrangement.
Fresh rooms, neat lines.
A call or a few photos by email is the quickest way to a free quote. If he can’t pick up, he’ll ring you back.