What’s included
Exterior paint has to cope with rain, sun and salt air, so preparation does most of the work:
- Front doors, frames and sills
- Timber windows, fascias and soffits
- Fences, gates and garden walls
- Sheds, summerhouses and garden rooms
- Garage doors in timber or metal
- Scraping, sanding and filling, with bare timber primed before top coats
Garage doors, sheds and garden rooms
Garage doors
Timber garage doors are sanded back and primed where bare; metal doors are cleaned, rust-treated and finished in a paint made for metal, so the new coat doesn’t flake off.
Sheds and garden rooms
Weathered timber is cleaned and prepared, then finished in an exterior wood paint or stain that protects it and suits the look you want, from natural tones to bold colours.
How a job runs
1. Visit and quote
I check the condition of the surfaces and give you a written, fixed price.
2. Prepare
Loose and flaking paint is scraped off, surfaces are sanded and filled, and bare wood or metal is primed.
3. Paint
Top coats go on in dry weather, with proper drying time between coats.
4. Check and tidy
We walk round together, I touch up anything missed and clear everything away.
Weather and timing
Exterior painting needs dry surfaces and mild temperatures, so most of it is done from late spring to early autumn. Smaller jobs like a front door can often be fitted in on a dry, mild day at other times of year. If rain is forecast, I’ll reschedule rather than paint onto damp surfaces, as that’s what makes paint fail early.
For landlords and letting agents
Tired front doors, fences and window frames are often the first thing tenants and viewers see. I can work around tenants with no need for access inside, and send before and after photos with an invoice you can pass straight to your client.
How pricing works
Small jobs are charged by the hour. Larger jobs get a written, fixed quote after a visit, so you know the cost before work starts. There’s no VAT to add.
Frequently asked questions
Late spring to early autumn, when surfaces are dry and temperatures stay mild. Small jobs like a front door can often be done at other times on a dry, mild day.
I reschedule. Painting onto damp surfaces is the main reason exterior paint blisters and peels, so it isn’t worth the risk.
Not usually for exterior work, as long as I have access to the areas being painted. For front doors, we’ll agree a time so the door can be left open to dry.
That depends on how exposed the surface is. Well-prepared woodwork lasts several years, but south-facing and seafront surfaces weather faster and may need attention sooner.
