Commercial & Managed Buildings
Common Parts Decorating: A Guide for Block Managers
Common parts in Westminster managed buildings — hallways, stairwells, lobbies, and shared corridors — carry heavy foot traffic and need to look presentable at all times. Decorating them well means working around residents, managing access, and delivering a finish that lasts.
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Common Parts Decorating: A Guide for Block Managers
Understanding the scope before quoting
Common parts vary enormously between buildings. A four-storey Victorian mansion block has very different decorating requirements from a modern purpose-built block with a concierge. The scope needs to capture not just the areas to be painted but the condition of the surfaces, the access constraints, the number of floors, and how residents will move through the building during the work.
Resident communication is not optional
In a live building, residents need to know what is happening and when. Clear notices with realistic timings, a named point of contact, and sensible staging that does not block access to flats or lifts are all basic requirements. Buildings that skip this step end up with complaints that slow the project down more than the communication would have.
Durability over aesthetics
Common parts take more punishment than private interiors. Scuff marks from luggage, pushchairs, and deliveries are constant. The specification needs to prioritise durability — scrubbable finishes, reinforced corners where appropriate, and colours that do not show every mark. Dead-matt designer finishes belong in apartments, not stairwells.
Working around fire doors, risers, and building services
Common parts often include fire doors, riser cupboards, meter boxes, and emergency lighting. These need to remain accessible throughout the work and properly finished afterwards. A contractor who paints around these items without proper masking or who blocks fire exits during the programme creates liability, not value.
Westminster Painters & Decorators
Established 2005 · City of Westminster · £10M public liability insurance · Company No. 16838595
Our decorating team works across Westminster, Belgravia, Chelsea, Mayfair, and neighbouring central London areas. We cover residential homes, period properties, commercial offices, and managed buildings — with heritage sensitivity and clean site discipline throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this topic.
Every five to seven years is typical for well-maintained buildings, though high-traffic areas like ground-floor lobbies may need attention sooner. The lease or management agreement often specifies a decorating cycle.
Yes, and this is often the most practical approach. Starting at the top and working down, or doing one stairwell at a time, keeps disruption manageable and means the building is never entirely under decoration.
This varies by building. Some managing agents have a standard specification; others consult the residents' association or board of directors. Settling the colour scheme before the contractor starts avoids delays and rework.
Related Services
Services related to this topic.
Common Parts Redecoration
A more programme-led service for Westminster common parts, where cyclical redecoration, durability, and resident impact all need balancing.
View ServiceCommunal Area Painting
Decorating for shared halls, entrances, stairwells, and circulation spaces in Westminster blocks and managed properties.
View ServiceLandlord & Block Management Painting
A service route for Westminster landlords, managing agents, and block-management teams responsible for shared buildings and repeated decorating decisions.
View ServiceRelated Districts
Westminster districts relevant to this topic.
Pimlico & Warwick Square
A more residential Westminster district with stucco terraces, premium flats, family homes, and communal areas that need tidy, finish-led working.
View DistrictVictoria & Buckingham Gate
A district driven by offices, HQs, hotels, receptions, and mixed-use buildings where scheduling and presentation need to move together.
View DistrictVincent Square & Greycoat
A calmer residential Westminster district with premium streets, schools, mansion blocks, and shared buildings that still need organised decorating.
View DistrictNext Step
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