Painters & Decorators Basingstoke | Hawkes Decor

Painters and decorators in Basingstoke

Basingstoke has a mix of housing stock that keeps decorating work varied. There are Victorian and Edwardian terraces near the town centre, interwar semis in South Ham and Oakridge, 1960s and 1970s estates, and large new developments at places like Kings Furlong and Hounsome Fields. Each type of property brings different surfaces, different paint histories and different problems to solve.

Older homes often have lime plaster, lath and plaster ceilings, or woodwork that has been painted many times over. New builds have plasterboard, MDF skirtings and architraves, and sometimes paint that has been applied thinly by the developer. We adjust our preparation and materials to suit. That might mean lining paper to hold back staining on old plaster, a stain-blocking primer on new woodwork, or a mist coat on fresh plaster before the finish coats go on.

For landlords and letting agents, Basingstoke has a strong rental market. End-of-tenancy decorating usually needs to be quick, tidy and durable. We can quote for full refreshes between tenants, including washing down walls, filling picture hook holes, repainting in a neutral colour and touching up woodwork. We can also advise on finishes that stand up to tenant turnover, such as durable emulsion on walls and satinwood on woodwork.

Commercial work in Basingstoke ranges from small offices in Basing View to retail units in Festival Place and industrial units on the Houndmills estate. We can work out of hours where needed and keep disruption to a minimum. All our work is quoted clearly, with preparation, materials and finishing all included.

Our painting and decorating services in Basingstoke

Interior decorating

We paint walls, ceilings and woodwork in any room. We wash down surfaces, fill cracks and holes, sand back to a sound surface, caulk gaps and apply the right primer before the finish coats. We work with flat matt, matt, eggshell, satin and gloss finishes, and can advise on the best sheen level for each room.

Wall and ceiling painting in emulsion or durable finishes
Woodwork painting in water-based or solvent-based trim paints
Full preparation: washing, filling, sanding, caulking, knotting and priming
Colour changes, feature walls and full-house redecorations
Mist coating new plaster and sealing bare surfaces

Wallpaper hanging

We hang all types of wallpaper, from lining paper to heavy vinyls and paste-the-wall papers. We check the pattern repeat before ordering, allow for wastage, and make sure the first drop is plumb so the pattern stays straight. We also strip old wallpaper properly, including scoring and soaking, so the new paper has a sound surface to bond to.

Lining paper to smooth walls before painting
Patterned wallpaper, feature walls and full rooms
Wallpaper removal, including stubborn borders and woodchip
Pasting, booking and trimming for a clean finish
Advice on paper types and pattern matching

Exterior decorating

We paint exterior woodwork, masonry, render and pebbledash. We only paint outside when the weather allows: no rain, no frost, and the surface temperature above the minimum for the paint. We scrape and sand loose paint, treat knots and resinous areas, fill cracks, and apply primer, undercoat and topcoat. For masonry, we use breathable paints where needed so trapped moisture can escape.

Windows, doors, fascias, soffits and bargeboards
Masonry painting on brick, render and pebbledash
Microporous wood finishes that let timber breathe
Stain blocking and spot priming before full coats
Weather-dependent scheduling with clear communication

Kitchen painting

We spray or hand-paint kitchen cabinets, doors, drawer fronts and end panels. We remove doors and hardware, degrease and key every surface, fill dents and scratches, and apply a specialist primer before spraying or rolling. We use water-based lacquers or hard-wearing satin finishes that resist moisture and cleaning. The result is a smooth, factory-like finish without the cost of a new kitchen.

Cabinet doors, drawer fronts, frames and end panels
Degreasing, sanding, filling and priming
Spray application for a smooth, even finish
Durable, washable topcoats in any colour
Reassembly and adjustment of doors and drawers

Rental property decorating

We work with landlords and letting agents to get properties ready for new tenants. We can quote for a full repaint, a refresh of high-traffic areas, or just touching up scuffs and marks. We use durable paints that can be wiped down, and we work to tight timescales between tenancies.

End-of-tenancy refreshes and full repaints
Neutral colours that appeal to tenants
Quick turnaround with minimal disruption
Filling, sanding and making good before painting
Clear quotes with no hidden extras

Properties we decorate in Basingstoke

Victorian and Edwardian terraces

These homes often have high ceilings, original cornicing and woodwork that has been painted many times. We take care to preserve features while giving walls and woodwork a clean, modern finish. Lining paper can help smooth old plaster before painting.

Post-war semis and estates

Properties from the 1950s to 1970s often have plaster that has settled and cracked. We fill and sand cracks, caulk gaps around skirtings and architraves, and apply durable emulsion that covers well. Woodwork may need extra sanding if previous paint has chipped.

New-build homes

New plaster needs a mist coat before the finish coats. Developer paint is often thin, so we wash down, spot prime and apply two full coats. MDF woodwork takes paint well after a light sand and primer.

Flats and maisonettes

Flats often have smaller rooms, so we work carefully to keep dust down and protect common areas. We can advise on lighter colours to make spaces feel bigger, and we work around building management rules where needed.

Rental properties

Basingstoke has a large rental sector. We help landlords and agents keep properties looking fresh between tenancies. We use durable, washable paints and can work to tight schedules.

Offices and commercial units

We decorate offices, retail premises and industrial units in Basingstoke. We can work evenings and weekends to avoid disrupting business, and we use hard-wearing finishes suitable for commercial traffic.

How we work

Enquiry and quote
You contact us with details of the job. We ask about the rooms, surfaces, current condition and any access issues. We then arrange a visit to look at the property and take measurements.
Site visit and specification
We walk through the job with you, discuss colours and finishes, and agree exactly what is included. We note any repairs or preparation needed and include them in the written quote.
Preparation
We protect floors, furniture and fittings. We wash down surfaces, fill cracks and holes, sand back to a sound surface, caulk gaps and apply primers where needed. Preparation is the biggest part of a good finish.
Painting and finishing
We apply the agreed coats, allowing proper drying and recoat times. We cut in neatly, lay off evenly and check for runs, sags and misses. We work room by room to keep the rest of the house usable.
Inspection and handover
We walk through the finished job with you, touch up anything you are not happy with, and leave the property clean and tidy. We remove all waste and return furniture to its place.

Choosing the right paint for your Basingstoke home

The paint you choose affects how the room looks, how long it lasts and how easy it is to clean. For walls and ceilings, flat matt hides imperfections but marks easily, so it suits low-traffic rooms. Matt is slightly more durable and still low sheen. Eggshell and satin are tougher and easier to wipe, which makes them good for kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. Gloss is the most durable but shows every ripple in the woodwork, so we often recommend satinwood for a modern finish on trim.

For woodwork, water-based paints stay white longer and dry quickly, but they can raise the grain on bare wood. Solvent-based paints flow out better and give a tougher finish, but they yellow over time and smell stronger. We can advise on the best product for your doors, skirtings and windows. On exterior wood, microporous finishes let moisture escape and resist cracking better than conventional gloss.

If you are decorating a rental, choose a durable emulsion like a scrubbable matt or a soft sheen. These paints can be wiped down between tenancies and will look better for longer. We can supply the paint or work with your preferred brand.

Exterior decorating and the Basingstoke weather

Exterior painting in Basingstoke is limited by the weather. We need dry days, no frost, and surface temperatures above about 10 degrees Celsius for most paints. That usually means exterior work runs from late spring to early autumn. We monitor the forecast and will not start a job if rain is expected before the paint has dried.

We prepare exterior surfaces thoroughly. Loose paint is scraped and sanded, cracks are filled, and bare wood is primed. We treat knots and resinous areas before priming. For masonry, we check for damp and use a breathable paint where needed. We apply two coats as a minimum, and we allow proper drying time between coats.

If you have exterior woodwork that is flaking, it is worth getting it painted before winter. Water gets behind loose paint and rots the timber. A good paint job now will protect your windows, doors and fascias for years.

Getting a quote in Basingstoke

We cover all of Basingstoke, including the town centre, South Ham, Oakridge, Popley, Hatch Warren, Chineham and the surrounding villages. If you have a decorating job in mind, contact us for a free, no-obligation quote. We will visit the property, discuss your requirements, and send a written specification and price. We are happy to advise on colours, finishes and materials, and we will give you a realistic timescale for the work.

Services

Decorating services in Basingstoke

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FAQs

Decorating in Basingstoke — FAQs

Can't see your question? Call or send a message and we'll answer it.

How much does it cost to paint a room in Basingstoke?

The cost depends on the size of the room, the condition of the walls and woodwork, and the number of coats needed. A typical bedroom with walls, ceiling and woodwork in good condition takes two to three days. We provide a written quote after a site visit, so you know exactly what is included.

Do you decorate rental properties between tenancies?

Yes. We work with landlords and letting agents across Basingstoke. We can quote for a full repaint, a refresh of high-traffic areas, or just touching up scuffs and marks. We use durable, washable paints and can work to tight timescales between tenancies.

Can you hang wallpaper in a new-build home?

Yes. New plaster needs to be sealed with a mist coat or a wallpaper primer before papering. We check the walls, apply the right primer, and hang the paper with a plumb first drop so the pattern stays straight. We can also hang lining paper before painting if the walls have minor imperfections.

When can you paint the outside of my house?

Exterior painting in Basingstoke is usually done between late spring and early autumn. We need dry days, no frost, and surface temperatures above about 10 degrees Celsius. We monitor the weather and will reschedule if rain is forecast before the paint has dried.

Do you supply the paint or do I need to buy it?

We can supply all paint and materials, or we can work with paint you have already bought. If we supply, we use trade paints from recognised brands and can advise on the best finish for each surface. The quote will state clearly what is included.

In Basingstoke? Get a free quote

Tell us about the rooms or exterior that need decorating and where you are. We will come back with a sensible, itemised price.

Request a Quote 07936 591 478

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Priced on the job in front of us
Tidy, protected, finished properly

Painters & decorators in Basingstoke