This is a rough guide showing the steps I go through to ensure a fabulous finish.
For some jobs it’s a bit less, for others it’s a little more. Working to complete each task to a very high standard as part of the process.
Working Together
Throughout the project we will have regular meetings, inspections, communications and updates to ensure everything is being done to meet your requirements and high standards.
Protect Surfaces and belongings
Where and when appropriate all surfaces, carpets, furniture, floors, kitchens, bathrooms and personal belongings etc are protected using suitable materials/covers. Ideally the property should be empty but sometimes that’s not possible.
Brushes, Rollers and Specialist Tools
High quality Brushes, Rollers and Specialist Tools are an important part of getting that great finish. Cheap stuff is a waste of money and counter productive to the project 🙁
High Quality Paints and Materials
The best way to get that great finish is to use quality paints and materials. These cover well, last longer, have deeper paint tones and are quicker to apply as they tend to require less coats than their cheaper alternatives.
Preparation is usually the biggest part of any project. Making sure everything is up to standard before paint is applied is vital to get a great final finish. Stains, cracks, blemishes, chips etc all need to be filled and treated before paint can be applied.
Visual ‘Lamp’ Inspection
The first step is always to inspect every surface to discover any issues, problems, stains, marks, chips, bad plastering, damp etc using a high powered lamp – from this a plan can be established for the project.
New Plastering
If any large areas need new plaster this is done first. While that is happening the project can continue working through the stages and then coming back to the now freshly plastered areas once it has had time to dry.
Skimming and sanding any smaller areas during the filling stages is possible.
Radiators
Ideally these should be removed by a plumber, but that’s not always possible. Where radiators are left in place every effort will be made to paint down behind them.
Silicone Removal
If there’s any damaged, cracked, lifting or old silicone around doors and windows now is the time to remove it and prep the areas.
Walls and Ceilings
Cutting out any cracks and then filling these along with any, chips, dents, knocks, scratches, gouges and imperfections using suitable fillers, tools and materials where necessary.
Light Switches and Sockets
These need to be cleaned and taped up, any damage around these can also be filled.
Doors
Hinges and handles need to be taped as well as any locks removed (and cleaned). Any damaged screw holes are filled and sanded ready for refitting/replacement of door handles and locks.
Stairs, Banisters, Spindles, and Other Woodwork
Any scratches, dents, and marks all get filled using suitable wood fillers.
Old/Damaged Caulk Removal
Damaged caulk is cut out of any cracks in door frames, stairs, coving, around windows etc.
1st Round of Sanding
Where appropriate mechanically sanding all the surfaces (walls, ceilings, stairs, spindles, doors and general woodwork). This is the loudest and dirtiest part of the project, but following this there’s a lot less noise, mess and dust.
2nd Visual ‘Lamp’ Inspection
Now that the first round of preparation is complete we can see an overall improvement on all the surfaces.
2nd Round of Filling and Sanding
Complete any additional filling that needs doing.
With any project you’re never going to see every imperfection on the first inspection. There may also be new marks left by sanding so these need to be filled/prepped.
Once the filling is completed on walls, ceilings, doors, woodwork, stairs, spindles etc the final round of sanding prior to priming/stain blocking and undercoats can be done.
Cleaning
You can’t paint in a dirty environment so cleaning is vital to ensure that any dirt, debris and dust is removed from the environment, otherwise dirt and dust will stick to the paint ruining the finish.
New Caulk
Door frames, spindles, stairs etc now get caulked ready for sealant/primer.
Stain Block and Primers
Water marks, oily stains, wood knots, mould, dirty marks around light switches and sockets, caulk and other day to day marks can be blocked/primed/sealed ready for paint. This ensures a fantastic finish at the end of the project.
1st Round of Painting
Once the first part of the preparation is complete I can start to paint. Typically it’s ceilings first then walls woodwork, stairs and finally doors.
*Stairs, Doors and woodwork can either have a 1st coat of paint now, or 2 coats once the walls are completed*
3rd Visual ‘Lamp’ Inspection
Now that everything has had a coat of paint it’s a more uniform colour making it easier to see those final blemishes/issues.
Final Filling, Sanding, Spotting In and Cleaning
At this stage any issues and imperfections are treated before final paint. This stage is so important to getting that fabulous finish at the end.
FINAL COAT OF PAINT
Now that all the preparation is finished I can do the final coat/s to ceilings, walls, woodwork, stairs, spindles, doors etc. This ensures the fabulous finish that we’ve been working towards. You can’t get a great finish without completing the preparation work.
Doors
Any door handles and locks can now be fitted back on the doors.
Silicone
If there are any gaps/cracks around windows and doors these can all be filled with a waterproof silicone sealant. This is really makes any property look amazing.
Final Inspection
Everything is now checked to make sure that we’re all happy. Any issues are dealt with accordingly.
Final Cleaning up
Everywhere now gets cleaned before the project is finished to ensure the property is ready to be handed back to you.
(If you would like a professional company to ‘deep clean’, this can be arranged)