Exteriors, windows, porches & gables

Record the boundary of the repaint

A photograph marked with the proposed work is useful when an elevation combines brick, render and timber. Merton's Hill Road assessment records painted brickwork, render and sash windows; its South Wimbledon guide also identifies render and pebbledash among local finishes. Establish what is already painted and what will remain exposed. Introducing paint to bare masonry needs a separate decision about the material and the applicable controls.

Sources: Merton: Wimbledon Hill Road character assessment; Merton: South Wimbledon character study

Find the reason for failed paint

Blistering, staining and loose coatings need a condition record before a new finish is selected. Note where the problem appears, whether it changes after rain and what repairs have already been attempted. Unresolved moisture or defective joinery may require investigation or repair beyond decorating preparation. The repaint schedule should state when that work is complete and the surface can be reassessed.

Keep windows usable as well as well finished

For sash and casement windows, define the frame, opening sections, sill and reveals separately. Check how the window currently operates and distinguish repair from painting. Glass, fittings and seals need protection appropriate to their condition. Agree how openings will be secured and how painted moving parts will be checked before the window is returned to everyday use.

Read porches and gables from the ground

The colour of a gable or porch can change the balance of the whole frontage. Compare samples with the roof, retained masonry and neighbouring details, then inspect the proposed treatment from a normal viewing distance. In a conservation area, check the relevant guidance and any property-specific restrictions before changing an established finish. Our sister company handles the consent advice and applications required for the proposal.

Sources: Merton: conservation-area documents; Hampstead Chartered Surveyors & Building Consultancy

Resolve the means of reaching each surface

A high gable, a bay roof and a recessed side elevation may need different access arrangements. Establish equipment positions, the route for carrying materials and any highway permissions before fixing the sequence. Application temperatures, rainfall and the chosen coating's requirements remain part of the programme. We discuss those dependencies when assessing the work instead of assigning an arbitrary number of days to an elevation.