Put preparation in the right order using our interior painting guide.
Start with the wall, not the paint tin
Walk around the room in daylight and with the lights on. Note flaking paint, dents, open joints, wallpaper seams, stains and areas that feel damp. A different defect can need a different treatment, even on the same wall.
Tell us about recurring marks or repairs. Painting over a symptom without dealing with its cause can leave the same problem visible again. For papered rooms, use our painting over wallpaper guide to decide what needs checking first.
A practical preparation sequence
- Protect and clear. Agree which furniture will move and how floors, fittings and adjacent surfaces will be protected.
- Identify the existing coating. Check its condition and any preparation precautions before disturbing it.
- Clean appropriately. Remove surface contamination using a method suitable for the surface and coating, then allow it to dry.
- Repair sound surfaces. Address loose material, small defects and joints using suitable materials. Investigate active dampness or moving cracks first.
- Smooth and remove dust. Use a preparation method appropriate to the known coating and substrate.
- Prime where needed. Match the primer to bare areas, repairs, stains and the new paint system.
Older paint needs a different decision
Before sanding or scraping older or unidentified paint, have the coating assessed for lead risk and agree a safe preparation method. Keep people away from any disturbed material and avoid spreading dust through the house. We discuss the surface condition and preparation scope before work begins.
A freshly painted appearance does not tell you what lies beneath earlier layers. Include the home's approximate age and any known repaint history in your enquiry.
What to include in the repair scope
| What you see | What to discuss |
|---|---|
| Small dents and nail holes | Filling, smoothing and spot priming before topcoats. |
| Peeling or loose paint | Why adhesion failed and how far removal needs to go. |
| Staining or damp patches | Whether the source is resolved before stain treatment and repainting. |
| Cracks that return | Whether further investigation is needed before a cosmetic repair. |
Agree what is ready for painting
Ask which repairs are included, which areas need primer and what level of finish the quote covers. Strong side lighting and higher sheen can make small defects more noticeable; choose your paint finish alongside the preparation scope.
For the visit, bring a room list and clear photographs of problem areas. Our interior painting cost guide helps you compare preparation allowances, and our interior painting service covers the repaint itself.
Your questions
Does every wall need a full coat of primer?
Not always. The existing coating, bare patches, repairs, stains and chosen topcoat determine where primer is needed.
Should I sand the walls before the quote visit?
Leave uncertain coatings undisturbed. Showing us the original condition helps us assess preparation and discuss any precautions.
Show us the walls before you start
Send your room list and photographs of peeling paint, cracks or stains. We can discuss the preparation and repaint together.
Discuss your interior repaint