Frequently Asked Questions

We cover all of Chelsea and the surrounding SW3 and SW10 postcodes. This includes all streets and estates from Sloane Square down to Chelsea Harbour, from the Embankment across to Fulham Road. We also serve adjacent areas of South Kensington and Brompton where they border Chelsea.

You can request a free quote through our website, by calling us on 020 8054 8756, or by emailing contact@hampsteadrenovations.co.uk. We arrange a convenient time to visit your property, assess the scope of work, and provide a detailed written quotation within 48 hours of the visit.

Yes, all our estimates are free and come with no obligation. We visit your property in person to assess the work required, discuss your preferences, and provide a comprehensive written quotation. We never charge for this initial consultation.

We keep limited capacity for urgent work such as leak damage repairs, last-minute property preparations for sale, or emergency decoration after building work. Please call us directly to discuss your timeline and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Yes, we are happy to provide references on request. We can also direct you to our Checkatrade profile where verified, unedited reviews from Chelsea clients are publicly available. Many of our clients are also willing to show you completed work in their homes by arrangement.

Yes, our colour consultation can be booked independently of any painting work. It includes a home visit, assessment of natural light and architectural features, a tailored colour scheme, and large brush-out samples. The consultation fee is credited if you subsequently book painting work with us.

Exterior painting in winter is possible but depends on weather conditions. Most exterior paints require a minimum temperature of 5°C and dry conditions for proper curing. We monitor forecasts carefully and will only proceed when conditions are suitable. Interior work is unaffected by season.

We offer both. We can source wallpaper from all major suppliers and manufacturers, often at trade prices that represent a saving over retail. Alternatively, if you prefer to supply your own wallpaper, we are happy to install it. We always check supplied wallpaper for batch consistency before hanging.

Floor sanding and finishing is not a core service, but we can arrange this through our network of trusted specialist partners. We coordinate flooring work with our painting schedule to ensure a seamless project timeline.

We carry out minor surface repairs, crack filling, and patch plastering as part of our standard preparation process. For more extensive plaster repair or full re-plastering, we work with specialist plasterers and can coordinate the work as part of your project.

Yes, we paint radiators using specialist heat-resistant paints that will not yellow or peel. Radiators must be cold during application and for the initial curing period. We schedule radiator painting to minimise disruption to your heating, particularly during colder months.

Our prices are calculated based on the scope of work required: the area of surfaces to be painted, the amount of preparation needed, the type of paint and materials specified, and the complexity of the project. We provide a detailed breakdown so you can see exactly what you are paying for.

Our standard quotations include all materials — paint, primers, fillers, caulk, dust sheets, and sundries. For projects where clients wish to specify premium wallpapers or specialist products, material costs may be itemised separately. This is always made clear in the quotation.

For projects under £5,000, we ask for no deposit and invoice on completion. For larger projects, we request a 20% deposit to secure your booking and schedule materials, with the balance payable on completion and your satisfaction. We accept bank transfer, cheque, and all major credit and debit cards.

All quoted prices include VAT at the prevailing rate. We are fully VAT registered and provide VAT invoices for all work. There are no hidden charges or surprise additions to the quoted price.

We have no strict minimum, but our typical projects range from single-room refreshes to whole-house redecorations. Very small jobs such as touching up a single wall may be more efficiently handled by a sole trader. We are always happy to advise honestly if we feel we are not the best fit for a particular job.

Chelsea's conservation areas impose restrictions on exterior colour changes, material choices, and sometimes working methods. We must use approved colour palettes, submit applications for changes, and ensure that all work is sympathetic to the area's architectural character. We manage this process routinely and can advise on what will and will not be approved.

Chelsea's residential streets present genuine logistical challenges. We arrange RBKC parking suspensions where necessary, use smaller vehicles for material delivery, and schedule deliveries for early morning to avoid congestion. Our team is experienced with Chelsea's access constraints and plans every project accordingly.

Yes, this is a routine part of our service. We regularly liaise with the Cadogan Estate, Sloane Stanley Estate, and numerous managing agents across Chelsea. We handle all approvals, access arrangements, and compliance documentation so you do not have to.

Yes. The Cadogan Estate and Sloane Stanley Estate both maintain approved palettes and product specifications for exterior decoration. These vary by street and building type. We obtain the current specification as part of every external project and ensure full compliance.

Mansion blocks in Chelsea typically have strict working-hour rules. We confirm permitted hours with the managing agent before starting, confine noisy work such as sanding and scraping to the middle of the day, and maintain clear communication with neighbouring residents throughout the project.

Our initial survey is a thorough assessment of your property. We examine every surface to be decorated, noting the current condition, any defects or damp issues, and the amount of preparation required. We discuss your preferences for colours, finishes, and timing, and take measurements for accurate pricing. The survey typically takes 30–60 minutes.

We use professional-grade cotton dust sheets over all furniture and floors, supplemented by polythene sheeting where extra protection is needed (for example, over expensive rugs or around light-coloured carpets). All fixtures, door furniture, and light fittings are masked or temporarily removed. We have never damaged a client's furnishings.

Preparation is the most critical phase. We fill all cracks and holes, sand surfaces smooth, apply appropriate primers, caulk gaps between woodwork and walls, and clean all surfaces to remove dust and grease. On exterior work, we also carry out any necessary render repairs, timber treatment, and rust prevention.

We apply a minimum of two coats on all surfaces, with a full primer coat underneath where required. Surfaces in poor condition or those undergoing a significant colour change may require three or more coats. We never cut corners on coats — the number applied is whatever is needed to achieve a perfect, opaque, consistent finish.

Yes, without exception. At the end of every working day, we clean all tools, remove debris, vacuum any dust, and leave your home as tidy as possible. We understand that living in a property during decoration is disruptive enough without having to navigate mess and equipment.

On completion, we carry out a detailed final inspection with you. We walk through every room and surface together, checking the finish in different lighting conditions. Any snags are noted and rectified immediately. We do not consider a project complete until you are fully satisfied.

Trade paints generally have higher pigment concentrations, better coverage, and more durable finishes than their retail equivalents. They are formulated for professional application and often have extended open times that allow for smoother finishing. We use exclusively trade-grade products for all our work.

Matt finishes hide surface imperfections and provide a sophisticated, contemporary look but are less washable. Eggshell offers a subtle sheen with moderate durability. Satinwood has a noticeable sheen and excellent washability, making it ideal for woodwork and high-traffic areas. We advise on the best finish for each surface during consultation.

Premium low-VOC paints from brands like Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, and Benjamin Moore perform comparably to conventional products in both durability and coverage. The technology has advanced enormously, and we see no practical difference in longevity. We recommend low-VOC products as standard for all interior work.

Yes. We use spectrophotometer technology to analyse existing paint samples and produce accurate colour matches. We can match colours across any brand and any finish. We always provide a test patch for your approval before proceeding with the full application.

We use specialist primers matched to the substrate and topcoat: acrylic primers for plasterwork, shellac-based primers for stain blocking, aluminium primers for bitumen-contaminated surfaces, and specialist adhesion primers for difficult substrates like MDF or melamine. The right primer ensures long-term adhesion and prevents problems such as bleed-through, peeling, and staining.

New plaster requires a minimum of four weeks drying time before full decoration, though this varies with thickness, ventilation, and ambient temperature. We always test moisture levels with a meter before painting. The first coat on new plaster must be a diluted mist coat to ensure proper adhesion.

Bathrooms and kitchens require paints formulated to resist moisture, condensation, and grease. We typically use Little Greene Intelligent Matt or Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion for walls, and specialist kitchen and bathroom paints for areas exposed to steam and splashing. These products contain anti-mould agents and are designed to maintain their finish in humid conditions.

Yes. We have experience applying traditional limewash, soft distemper, and casein-based paints to period plasterwork. These breathable finishes are essential for pre-Victorian walls and lime plaster. They require specific application skills and an understanding of how they behave on historic substrates — this is a specialist area of our practice.