Question 1

Does exterior painting in Woking need planning permission?

Accepted Answer

For most properties, no. Internal work never does, and standard exterior repaints generally don't either. The exception is if you're in a conservation area or your property is listed, in those cases, changing the colour of an exterior can sometimes require prior approval from Woking Borough Council. If you're unsure, a quick call to the planning department will clarify before you commit to anything.

Question 2

How far ahead do I need to book a decorator in Woking?

Accepted Answer

For a single internal room, a couple of weeks is normally fine. For larger jobs - multi-room redecorations, full exterior repaints, or anything requiring scaffolding - four to eight weeks is more realistic, and longer still if you want the work done in spring or early summer when most decorators are fully booked.
If you have a deadline (a house sale, a tenancy changeover), be upfront about it when posting your job.

Question 3

Why is it more expensive to decorate a period property in Woking?

Accepted Answer

Mainly time. High ceilings mean more wall and ceiling area to cover. Original cornicing and deep architraves need careful masking and precise cutting-in. Lime plaster sometimes needs treating or stabilising before paint will adhere properly. And old woodwork, particularly if it's been painted many times, often needs rubbing down more thoroughly than modern timber. None of this is unusual for experienced decorators; it just takes longer, and that's reflected in the price.

Question 4

Can a decorator help with colour choices?

Accepted Answer

Some will, particularly if they've been decorating in the Surrey market for a while and have a sense of what works in different types of property. It's worth asking. If you want more formal input, paint brand recommendations, a full scheme with sample testing, some decorators either offer this themselves or work regularly with interior designers who do.

Question 5

How do I know if my property needs plastering before it can be decorated?

Accepted Answer

A good decorator will flag this during an initial visit. Common signs include hairline cracks around window frames or door architraves, areas where old paint has bubbled or is lifting away from the wall, and patches that sound hollow when tapped.

Victorian and Edwardian properties in St John's and Knaphill are particularly prone to this - lime plaster settles and moves over time in ways modern board doesn't. If replastering is needed, it's worth getting it done before decoration starts rather than papering over the problem, which rarely holds for long.

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