Why preparation decides the result and the timeline
The most visible part of a renovation is the final coat or finished surface. But the part that actually decides the outcome happens before that: covering, repairing, priming, clearing. A wall that isn't properly prepared shows every flaw in the finished coat — cracks reappear, old stains bleed through, and paint simply doesn't hold as long on a poorly prepared surface.
Preparation also drives the schedule. Rooms that are already empty and accessible can be worked through in one continuous pass. Rooms that still need to be cleared, uncovered, or discussed mid-job slow the work down and end up extending the disruption in your home. Knowing in advance who's responsible for what avoids that delay.
What you clear yourself as the client
As a rule: anything that isn't permanently fixed should be out of the room, or at least away from the walls, before work starts. That includes furniture, loose items, curtains and curtain rails, pictures, and wall shelves — anything hanging on or standing against the walls.
Electronics, sensitive appliances and valuables are also your own responsibility — even with careful covering, dust and paint mist can never be fully ruled out during painting work. Larger furniture that can't be moved out of the room we move to the centre together with you and cover separately.
In practical terms, that means:
- Move furniture, rugs and loose items out of the room or into the centre
- Take down curtains, rails, pictures, mirrors and wall shelves
- Disconnect or secure power strips, lamps and electronics
- Store valuables, documents and keepsakes separately
- Move houseplants and delicate items to another room
What we take care of
On site, we handle everything related to protection and access. Floors are covered, doors, windows and fittings are masked, and where needed we set up dust barriers or sheeting so fine dust doesn't spread through the whole flat.
That also covers access routes: stairwells, hallways and entrances are protected whenever material or tools are being carried through. Furniture that stays in the room is additionally covered with sheeting or protective fleece. At the end of each working day the site is tidied up, so the room stays usable even if the work continues the next day.
What to check and report beforehand
The more accurately we know the condition of the room before work starts, the more precise the quote will be, and the fewer surprises come up during execution. So flag anything you've noticed on the walls already at the site visit.
The main things worth mentioning are cracks, damp or discoloured patches, flaking or loose old paint, and suspected old glue paint under the top coat — this can't simply be painted over and needs different preparation. Radiators that need to come off the wall, sockets and switches that should be moved or removed, and the type of flooring also matter for planning.
- Visible cracks and roughly where they run
- Damp or water stains, including old, already-dried ones
- Flaking paint or spots where the coating is coming loose
- Suspected glue paint (common in older buildings, chalks when rubbed)
- Radiators, blind boxes and other fixed elements on the wall
Occupied flats, pets, children and access
Most painting work happens in occupied flats, not empty construction sites. That's normal and easy to organise once a few things are clarified up front: who has access and when, whether we get a key or someone needs to be present, and what working hours are actually allowed in the building — residential buildings often have quiet hours we respect.
Pets shouldn't be left free in the work area, both because of open doors and escape risks and because of paint fumes and tools. The same goes for children: freshly painted surfaces, tools and materials aren't a play area. The simplest approach is to keep the affected room off-limits to pets and children for the duration of the work.
A short checklist for the day before
A quick walk-through of the affected room the day before helps make sure nothing's forgotten. These points cover the most common cases:
- Room cleared, or furniture grouped in the centre
- Walls free of pictures, shelves and curtains
- Access and keys sorted for the working day
- Parking or access for vehicle and material clarified, if needed
- Pets and children accounted for around the work area
- Specific wall issues (cracks, damp) reported once more
Frequently asked questions
- Does the flat need to be completely empty?
- No. It's enough to move furniture away from the walls or group it in the centre of the room. A fully empty flat does let the work go faster, though.
- Who takes down pictures, curtains and lamps?
- That's on you, since these are personal items. We don't remove permanently fixed elements unless it's explicitly part of the quote.
- Can I stay in the flat during the work?
- In most cases, yes, especially if we're working room by room. For a full repaint of the whole flat it's more comfortable if you can be away, at least during the day.
- What if damage turns up while clearing the room?
- Let us know before work starts if possible. That way we can check whether it affects the preparation or the quote, and agree on the approach in advance rather than improvising mid-job.
Related services
Ready to prepare your project?
We'll assess your space on site, clarify any open points directly, and put together a quote that fits your situation.