New Build Painting & Decorating

Common Challenges

The most significant challenge with new-build properties is shrinkage. As a new building settles and dries out over its first twelve to twenty-four months, hairline cracks develop along plasterboard joints, around door liners, at the junction of walls and ceilings, and around window reveals. These cracks must be properly filled with flexible filler and reinforced with jointing tape where necessary before redecoration, and clients should be advised that some cracking may recur during the settlement period. Developer-applied paint is typically a basic trade emulsion in a limited palette, applied quickly by the construction team, and the quality of surface preparation beneath it is often inadequate for a premium finish. We frequently find poorly taped joints, unfilled screw holes, and uneven plaster skim coats that are invisible under the developer's paint but become glaringly apparent when a superior product is applied. Spray-applied finishes, which are increasingly popular in contemporary interiors, magnify these surface imperfections and require even more rigorous preparation. Newly plastered surfaces also have high alkalinity that can cause certain paints to fail if a suitable primer is not used.

Our Recommended Approach

Our approach to new-build decoration begins with a comprehensive snagging survey of all painted surfaces, identifying every crack, defect, and imperfection that must be addressed before decoration. We then carry out a thorough preparation programme including filling all cracks with flexible acrylic filler, re-taping failed joints, sanding all surfaces to a smooth and even finish, and applying a high-quality primer or mist coat to ensure consistent absorption across the entire surface. For walls, we recommend Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion or Little Greene Intelligent Emulsion, both of which provide a more refined, deeper finish than any developer-grade product. In properties where a completely seamless, spray-applied finish is desired, we use airless or HVLP spray systems to achieve a factory-smooth result on walls, ceilings, and built-in joinery. Mylands paint is an excellent choice for new-build woodwork, offering contemporary colours with a beautifully smooth eggshell finish. For bathrooms and kitchens, we use specialist moisture-resistant emulsions that will perform well in the highly sealed, low-ventilation environments typical of modern construction. We advise clients to consider a touch-up visit twelve months after initial decoration to address any new shrinkage cracks.