Painter and Decorator South Kensington: Period Flats, Stucco Fronts and Communal Areas
Decorating for flats, whole houses and shared buildings across SW7, from Onslow Gardens to Queen’s Gate. In-house decorators, fixed price after a free site visit.
Walk along Onslow Gardens, Queen’s Gate or Cranley Gardens and almost every white stucco house has a row of doorbells. Most of South Kensington’s grand Victorian houses were divided into flats long ago, so most decorating jobs in SW7 involve more than one owner. That means one shared front, one shared staircase, a freeholder or managing agent, and a flat that needs decorating without upsetting the neighbours above and below.
As a painter and decorator in South Kensington, we decorate individual flats, whole houses and the shared parts of buildings: fronts, entrance halls and stairwells. Our decorators are employed directly by us, not subcontracted, and work alongside our own plasterers, carpenters, plumbers and electricians. If preparation uncovers cracked stucco, damp or a sash that won’t run, we fix it properly before we paint.
Every job starts with a free site visit and a fixed, itemised quote. All labour carries a 12-month workmanship guarantee. Call 020 7129 7418
The best rooms in a South Kensington conversion are usually the first-floor reception rooms: tall ceilings, deep cornicing, ceiling roses, shutters and full-height sash windows onto a balcony. Upper floors have smaller rooms, sloping ceilings and dormers. We decorate each to suit, cleaning out cornicing rather than burying it, easing and painting shutters so they still fold, and painting sashes in stages so they still run. Because neighbours are close, we keep dust inside your flat, protect the shared staircase as we come and go, and keep to sensible working hours.
A stucco front protects every flat in the building, and when it fails, water gets into the walls and the flats behind them. We repair cracked and blown stucco, re-run damaged mouldings, treat and repaint balcony railings, and repaint the whole elevation in breathable masonry paint. We give the freeholder or residents’ management company one fixed price for the whole front, show each flat’s share if needed, and arrange scaffolding and the council licence.
Shared halls and stairwells take heavy wear and are the first thing visitors, tenants and buyers see. We redecorate them in sections so residents can always get through, use low-odour paint in enclosed spaces, protect carpets and stair runners, and leave fire doors and their seals working. We can quote in the format managing agents need for leaseholder consultation.
Many SW7 lower-ground flats sit beside a front lightwell, with vaults running under the pavement. These walls can be damp, and paint on a wet wall fails fast. We look for the cause first, such as a blocked lightwell drain, failed render or leaking vaults, and fix what we can with our in-house trades. Then we use breathable, mould-resistant paint systems so the wall can dry rather than trap moisture.
Around Harrington Gardens and Collingham Gardens, South Kensington changes to tall gabled red brick houses with terracotta details. Here the brick and terracotta stay unpainted, and the work is on the painted timber: windows, doors, bays and balconies. We repair rotten timber before painting, use an oil-based primer on bare wood and finish by brush.
South Kensington has many rented and part-time homes. We turn rental flats around between tenancies, usually within a week, and keep pied-à-terre flats looking right while their owners are away. We can collect keys from the porter or agent, send photos as the work progresses, and arrange any small repairs at the same time.
Shared buildings come with shared rules. Getting these right before work starts avoids disputes between neighbours and work that has to be undone.
If the freeholder or managing agent organises communal works and any one leaseholder’s share is more than £250, they must consult leaseholders first, usually including obtaining more than one quote. This is Section 20 consultation. We provide clear, itemised quotes and specifications that fit the process, and we’re glad to be one of the contractors invited to quote.
Most leases make the freeholder responsible for the outside and common parts, and the leaseholder responsible for the inside of their flat. Some require consent for changes to front doors, windows or exterior colours. We work within your lease and can talk to your managing agent directly.
Most of South Kensington is in conservation areas covered by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Repainting a stucco front in the same colour rarely needs permission, but on uniform terraces the council expects fronts to match their neighbours. Listed buildings need Listed Building Consent for most colour changes, inside and out. We check your building’s position before quoting.
• Breathable, lime-compatible paint on original lime plaster, so it doesn’t blister.
• A mist coat on new plaster and plasterboard before any finish coat.
• Oil primer on bare timber, and all joinery finished by brush.
• Cornicing cleaned and filled, shutters left folding, and sashes left running.
• Fire door seals masked and protected in shared buildings.
• Lead paint never dry-sanded or burnt off; wet abrasion and safe disposal instead.
Painter and Decorator South Kensington Prices
These are starting prices, excluding VAT. Your fixed quote depends on ceiling heights, access, the condition of surfaces and the finishes you choose. Shared fronts and communal areas are priced after a free site visit and can be split by flat.
• Single room: from £650 + VAT
• Period room with cornicing and original joinery: from £850 + VAT
• Hallway, stairs and landing (within a flat or house): from £1,400 + VAT
• Between-tenancy redecoration, 1-bed flat: from £1,200 + VAT
• Between-tenancy redecoration, 2-bed flat: from £1,800 + VAT
• Between-tenancy redecoration, 3-bed: from £2,500 + VAT
• Pre-sale decoration: from £2,500 + VAT
• Shared stucco front elevation: priced after site visit + VAT
• Communal entrance hall and stairwell: priced after site visit + VAT
• Wallpaper hanging: from £20 per metre + VAT
Prices include preparation, primers, two finish coats, protection, and daily clean-up. We can supply Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and other premium ranges, or use paint you have chosen.
How We Work
1. Free site visit. We look at your flat, the shared parts and the front, and check for damp and old paint.
2. Fixed, itemised quote, split by flat for shared work if you need it.
3. Paperwork. Insurance and method statements for the managing agent, scaffold licences and any consents.
4. Protection. Your rooms, the shared staircase and neighbours’ doors are protected.
5. Preparation and painting. Repairs first, the right primer for each surface, then two finish coats.
6. Final walk-round with you, or with the managing agent for shared areas.
Why South Kensington Clients Choose Us
• A local office on Brompton Road, a short walk from most SW7 streets.
• Decorators employed in-house, never subcontracted, with our own plasterers and carpenters on hand.
• Experienced with shared buildings, managing agents and leaseholder consultation.
• Damp found and fixed at the source before lower-ground walls are painted.
• Fixed, itemised prices and a 12-month workmanship guarantee.
Areas We Cover for Painting and Decorating
Painter and decorator across Chelsea SW3: Draycott Avenue, King’s Road, Cheyne Walk, Flood Street, Paultons Square, Oakley Street, and all SW3 addresses. Victorian terraces, mansion blocks, mews properties. Oil primer, lime-compatible primer, flat brush finish. Fixed price. Free site visit. Call 020 7129 7418.
Painter and decorator across Knightsbridge SW1X Brompton Road, Pont Street, Hans Road, Lennox Gardens, Egerton Crescent. Period property and mansion block specialists. All premium paint ranges. Fixed price. Free site visit. Call 020 7129 7418.
Painter and decorator across Belgravia SW1: Eaton Square, Chester Square, Belgrave Square, Elizabeth Street. Listed building decoration: appropriate primers and finishes for Georgian plasterwork. Fixed price. Free site visit. Call 020 7129 7418.
Painter and decorator across South Kensington SW7: Onslow Square, Cranley Gardens, Wetherby Gardens. Edwardian terrace decoration specialists. All original fabric correctly primed. Fixed price. Free site visit. Call 020 7129 7418.
Painter and decorator across Kensington W8, Campden Hill Road, Phillimore Gardens, Victoria Road. Victorian villa decoration specialists. Period joinery, oil primer, brush finish. Fixed price. Free site visit. Call 020 7129 7418.
Painter and decorator across Fulham SW6: Rylston Road, Munster Road, Parsons Green. Victorian terrace redecoration. Between-tenancy specialist. Fixed price. Free site visit. Call 020 7129 7418.
Painter and decorator across Battersea SW11: Cabul Road, Albert Bridge Road, Queenstown Road. Victorian terrace decoration. Between-tenancy. Period property specification. Fixed price. Free site visit. Call 020 7129 7418.
Standard Call Out Charge | £95.00 +vat (additional hours @£75 p/h) |
Electrician | £115.00 +vat (additional hours @£95 p/h) |
Heating / Gas Engineer | £115.00 +vat (additional hours @£95 p/h) |
EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) | £240-420.00 +vat P.O.A |
PAT (Portable Appliance Test *incl 12 items) | £105.00 +vat (additional £5.00 per item ) |
GSI (Gas Safety Inspection) | £110.00 +vat |
Boiler Service | £120.00 +vat |
Combined GSI & Boiler Service | £210.00 +vat |
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Painter and Decorator South Kensington: Free Site Visit
Call: 020 7129 7418
Painter and decorator in South Kensington, Onslow Gardens, Queen’s Gate, Cranley Gardens, Thurloe Square and The Boltons, covering SW7. We decorate period flats in converted stucco houses, and repaint shared stucco fronts and communal stairwells for freeholders and managing agents. Lime-compatible primer on original plaster, oil primer on original joinery, and a flat brush finish throughout. We supply Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and other premium ranges.
Single room from £650 + VAT. Period room with cornicing from £850 + VAT. Between-tenancy redecoration from £1,200 + VAT. Pre-sale decoration from £2,500 + VAT. Shared fronts and communal areas are priced after a site visit, with quotes split by flat if needed.
Free site visit. Fixed price within 48 hours. 12-month workmanship guarantee.
Chelsea Property Renovation & Maintenance Ltd
289 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW3 2DY
Company No: 16973999
25+ Years Central London Experience
We’ve completed home renovations in Central London since 2000. Over 150 projects across Chelsea, Belgravia, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Marylebone, Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia, and Westminster.
Fully Insured & Guaranteed
£10M public liability insurance, £10M employers' liability insurance, and professional indemnity coverage. All work is fully guaranteed. Building control certificates provided. Electrical and Gas Safe certificates where applicable. Written guarantees on all home renovation services Central London. Insurance certificates available on request.
Quality Materials & Expert Craftsmanship
We specify and source high-quality materials from established manufacturers ensuring reliability and longevity.
Conservation Area Specialists
95% planning approval rate in Central London conservation areas. We've successfully renovated listed buildings and strict conservation properties across Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea. We know what conservation officers want to see before we submit applications.
200+ Satisfied Customers
Proven track record across Central London with hundreds of completed renovations. Our reputation built on exceptional project management, quality workmanship, transparent pricing, and beautiful results that exceed expectations.
Meet Our Trusted Team
John Michaels
Renovation Consultant
Dan Wright
Plumbing and Heating Engineer
Glenn Knowles
CEO
Harry Collins
Repair Technician
Call 020 7129 7418 or send your details through the contact form to arrange a free site visit. Whether it’s one room in your flat or the whole front of the building, we will advise on paint and finish and send a fixed, itemised quote.
Painter and Decorator South Kensington: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a painter and decorator in South Kensington cost?
A single room starts from £650 + VAT, and a period room with cornicing and original joinery from £850 + VAT. Between-tenancy redecoration starts from £1,200 for a one-bed flat. Shared front elevations and communal stairwells are priced after a free site visit, and we can split the quote by flat if leaseholders are sharing the cost.
Our building is split into flats. Can you repaint the shared front?
Yes. Most South Kensington stucco houses are now several flats with one shared front. We work with the freeholder, residents’ management company or managing agent, give one fixed price for the whole elevation, and can show each flat’s share. We arrange scaffolding and the licence from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
What is Section 20 and does it affect our communal decorating?
If the freeholder or managing agent organises communal works and any one leaseholder’s share is more than £250, the law requires them to consult leaseholders first, usually including getting more than one quote. This is known as Section 20 consultation. We provide clear, itemised quotes and specifications that fit that process, and we’re happy to be one of the contractors asked to quote.
Can you paint a damp basement or lower-ground flat?
We can, but we deal with the cause first. Many lower-ground flats in SW7 sit beside front lightwells and vaults under the pavement, and paint will not last on a wall that is still wet. We check for blocked drains, failed render or leaking vaults, fix what we can with our in-house trades, and then use breathable, mould-resistant paint so the wall can dry out.
Do I need permission to change the colour of my front?
Most of South Kensington is in conservation areas. Repainting a stucco front in the same colour rarely needs permission, but on uniform terraces the council expects fronts to match their neighbours, and listed buildings need Listed Building Consent for colour changes. Your lease may also require the freeholder’s consent. We check before quoting.
Do you paint the red brick houses around Harrington Gardens and Collingham Gardens?
Yes. These gabled red brick houses have painted timber windows, doors and bays rather than painted fronts. We repaint the joinery and metalwork and leave the brick and terracotta unpainted, as it should be. Painting brickwork that has never been painted can need planning permission in a conservation area.
How quickly can you turn around a rental flat?
Most one- and two-bedroom flats in South Kensington are turned around within a week. We work to the letting agent’s timetable, use durable finishes, and send photos of the finished rooms for the inventory.
Which parts of South Kensington do you cover?
All of SW7 and the neighbouring parts of SW5 and SW10, including Onslow Gardens, Onslow Square, Queen’s Gate, Cranley Gardens, Thurloe Square, Pelham Crescent, The Boltons, Harrington Gardens and Gloucester Road. Our office is at 289 Brompton Road, a short walk away. Call 020 7129 7418 for a free site visit.
Central London
Your local team for fast, reliable electrical service throughout Central London.
Address:
289 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW3 2DY
Email:
info@chelseapropertyrenovation.co.uk
Phone number:
020 7129 7418
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:30 am-6 pm
Saturday -Sunday - Emergency only
Areas We Serve:
- Wandsworth
- Belgravia
- Pimlico
- Mayfair
- Marylebone
- Victoria
- Paddington
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- ower Hamlets
- Lambeth
- Plus Hackney
- Chelsea
- South Kensington
- Knightsbridge
- Notting Hill
- Earl's Court
- Camden Town
- Barbican
- Bank
- Liverpool Street
- Moorgate
- King's Cross
- Primrose Hill
- Hampstead
- Kentish Town
- Angel
- Barnsbury
- Canonbury
- Highbury
- Clerkenwell
- Southwark
We Are Accredited
All our tradesmen, plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, and builders are fully accredited by leading industry bodies, ensuring the highest standards of quality and professionalism on every job.
