New build decorating
New build and fit-out decorating is about getting fresh plaster and joinery from bare to handover-ready on programme. We work with developers, main contractors and fit-out firms, fitting the decorating stage around other trades and snagging lists.
Painting new plaster: the mist coat
New plaster is porous and needs to be fully dry before decorating. Paint applied too soon traps moisture and can bubble or peel. The first coat is a mist coat: a thinned or purpose-made primer that soaks into the plaster and gives later coats something to bond to. Vinyl or wipeable paints used straight on new plaster are a common cause of flaking. On larger developments, airless spraying applies mist and finish coats evenly across walls and ceilings far faster than rollers.
Cracks in new plaster
Hairline cracks in new plaster are common as a building dries out and settles, particularly at ceiling junctions, around door frames and along board joints. Most are cosmetic. They are raked out, filled or caulked and spot-primed before the final coats so they do not telegraph through. A crack that keeps reopening, or is wide or stepped, can indicate movement and should go back to the contractor or engineer rather than simply being painted over.
- Mist coat and finish coats to walls and ceilings
- Crack filling, caulking and spot priming
- Woodwork, doors and skirting
- Snagging and touch-ups before handover
Working to the build programme
Decorating sits late in the programme and is usually squeezed. We plan around plastering, second-fix and flooring, agree which areas are released and when, and can work in phases plot by plot or floor by floor. Our team is employed rather than casual labour, we are fully insured and health and safety compliant, and RAMS are supplied before starting on site.
Specification and finishes
Developers often specify a standard contract emulsion for walls, a scrubbable finish in kitchens and bathrooms, and water-based satin or eggshell for woodwork. We follow the specification you give us, or suggest one where none exists, and confirm products before mobilising so there are no surprises at handover.
Snagging and handover
Before handover, decorating snags are worked through room by room: marks left by other trades, dings in skirting, cut-in lines and filler that has shrunk. A clear snagging pass is often what decides whether a plot is signed off first time.
When to call us in
Talk to us before plastering finishes so we can programme the mist coat stage. Send the drawings, specification and expected release dates and we will return a free quote covering each phase. For commercial fit-outs the same approach applies to offices and retail units.
Communal areas and common parts
On apartment schemes the corridors, stair cores and entrance halls are finished last and seen first by buyers and residents. These areas take heavy wear during the final weeks of a build as furniture and fittings come in, so we plan a final pass after the main deliveries. A scrubbable finish on corridor walls and a durable coat on handrails and doors keeps them looking right after handover.
Related pages
Common questions
How long should new plaster dry before painting?
It must be fully dry and evenly pale. Time varies with thickness, temperature and ventilation, so we check it rather than relying on a fixed number of days.
What is a mist coat?
A thinned or specially made first coat that soaks into new plaster and seals it so later coats bond properly.
Why has my new plaster cracked?
Usually drying shrinkage and settlement. Fine cracks are filled before painting; wide or recurring ones should be checked by the builder.
Do you work for developers and fit-out contractors?
Yes. We fit around the programme, phase by plot or floor and supply RAMS before starting.
Planning a commercial painting or decorating project?
Speak to a Hampshire commercial decorating contractor that turns up, communicates clearly and delivers a finish that lasts.