Painting & Decorating in Brighton & Hove
Our painting and decorating service covers interior and exterior finishes for flats and houses across Brighton, Hove and nearby Sussex areas. The work is not just about applying paint. Good decorating starts with checking the substrate, repairing defects, dealing with damp or peeling surfaces and choosing the right finish for the property.
When This Service Is Needed
- Preparing a flat or house for sale.
- Refreshing a rental property between tenants.
- Repairing peeling paint, stained walls or blown plaster.
- Protecting exterior walls, woodwork or masonry from coastal weather.
- Improving tired communal areas or high-traffic rooms.
- Finishing after plastering, refurbishment or renovation works.
Brighton & Hove Property Context
Brighton properties often suffer from a combination of coastal weather, older plaster, previous quick repairs and poor ventilation. On exterior walls, wind-driven rain and salt air can shorten the life of cheap masonry paint. Inside, condensation and cold walls can cause staining, flaking or mould if the underlying cause is ignored.
Older properties may also contain lime plaster, lath and plaster, porous masonry or areas that need breathable materials rather than heavy modern coatings. The wrong paint can trap moisture and make the wall fail later.
Surface Inspection First
Before decorating, the surface needs to be checked. We look for loose paint, powdery plaster, damp staining, salt marks, cracking, failed filler, mould, poor previous preparation and areas where water may be entering from outside.
If the wall is still damp, painting it is not a solution. It may hide the problem for a short time, but the finish will usually fail again.
Materials by Surface Type
| Surface | Recommended Approach | Cost Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh plaster | Mist coat followed by suitable top coats | Low–Medium |
| High-traffic interiors | Durable trade matt or washable finish | Medium |
| Older breathable walls | Limewash, mineral or breathable paint where suitable | Medium–High |
| Coastal exterior masonry | High-quality breathable exterior masonry system | High |
| Woodwork | Proper primer, undercoat and satin/gloss finish | Medium |
How We Approach the Work
- 01Protect floors, fixtures, windows, furniture and access routes.
- 02Scrape loose or failing material.
- 03Treat mould or staining only after the cause is understood.
- 04Fill, sand and repair cracks or damaged areas.
- 05Prime bare or unstable surfaces.
- 06Apply undercoats and top coats in the correct sequence.
- 07Check cutting-in, coverage, finish consistency and defects under good light.
- 08Clean the work area and complete snagging.
Common Mistakes
The usual shortcut is painting over a problem rather than fixing it. Stain block over damp, vinyl paint over breathable walls, or topcoat over dusty plaster may look acceptable for a short time, but it is not durable work.
Another mistake is skipping preparation. Most decorating quality is decided before the final coat goes on. Sanding, filling, priming and drying time are not optional extras.
Cost Factors
- Surface condition.
- Amount of filling, sanding and repair.
- Ceiling height and access.
- Interior versus exterior work.
- Paint system required.
- Whether plaster repairs are needed.
- Whether scaffolding or towers are needed.
- Number of rooms and level of finish.
Planning & Regulations
Internal painting normally does not require planning permission. Exterior painting is also often treated as maintenance, but listed buildings, conservation areas and unusual external colour or material changes may need checking with the local authority. If decorating work reveals that larger wall or insulation repairs are needed, Building Regulations may become relevant depending on the scope.
Decorating Work We've Done Across Brighton & Hove
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InteriorsPreston Park, Brighton
Bedroom Redecoration & Fitted Storage
The brief: Previous tenant had left scuffed magnolia over bare plaster, no lining paper, cracks around the window and a wardrobe alcove that had never been properly finished.
What we did: Stripped the room, filled and sanded, applied lining paper, then decorated in heritage sage green with sharp white woodwork throughout. The fitted storage alcove was boxed properly before painting — no shortcuts.
InteriorsBrighton Seafront
Master Bedroom Refurbishment — Seafront Flat
The brief: Salt air and condensation had caused peeling paint around the sash window reveals. The client wanted the room completely refreshed as part of a sale preparation, including new carpet.
What we did: Checked the window reveals for active damp first — there was minor ingress we sealed before touching paint. Full room in dusty rose with freshly painted sash window surrounds. The surface prep took longer than the actual painting, as it should.
InteriorsSeaford, East Sussex
Full Bedroom Renovation — Plastering & Decoration
The brief: Old Artex ceiling, crumbly lath-and-plaster walls, and a door frame that had been bodged with filler. Client needed the room properly done before moving in.
What we did: Full re-skim on the walls, Artex ceiling boarded over, new door hung plumb, recessed lights fitted, then decorated in warm terracotta tones. We don't paint over problems — we fix them first.
Got peeling paint, damp staining or a surface that's failed before?
Send us photos. We'll tell you what's actually going on before booking anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We cover Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Lewes, Shoreham-by-Sea and the wider Sussex area. Call us or fill in the contact form.