Exterior woodwork painting in Exeter
Professional exterior woodwork painting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£260-£510
Typical Duration
5-10 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Exterior woodwork painted properly to stand up to Devon weather. Windows, doors, fascias - all protected with weather-resistant paint and careful prep that means it actually lasts.
Protect Your Woodwork Before It's Too Late
Exterior woodwork takes a battering - rain, sun, wind, Devon's lovely damp climate slowly destroying the paint and then the wood underneath.
Fresh paint isn't just cosmetic. It's protection against rot. Once wood starts rotting, you're into expensive carpentry repairs. Prevention is way cheaper.
💡 Pro tip: Don't wait until paint is completely peeling. Repaint when it's starting to go - saves hours of scraping and protects the wood before it's damaged.
Why Exterior Woodwork is Fiddly
It's detailed work with no shortcuts:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| All flaking paint scraped back | Painted over loose paint |
| Bare wood primed properly | Skip primer, paint soaks in unevenly |
| Clean lines around glass | Paint splattered on windows |
| Exterior-grade paint system | Interior paint, fails in months |
The cutting-in around glass is where skill shows - wonky lines are obvious from the street.
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Prep | Scrape flaking paint, sand smooth, clean surface |
| Prime | Bare wood sealed with exterior primer |
| Undercoat | If changing colour or coverage needed |
| Topcoat | Two coats exterior gloss or satin |
| Detail | Clean glass, sharp lines, no mess |
📦 You're Left With
- Protected woodwork sealed against weather
- Clean, sharp appearance
- Glass clean and splatter-free
- Years of weather protection
Pricing Guide
| Woodwork Coverage | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Front door + frame | 5-6 hrs | £260-£310 |
| Bay window (outside) | 6-7 hrs | £310-£360 |
| Full house windows (ground floor) | 8-10 hrs | £410-£510 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Upper floors need safe access (scaffolding/ladder work). Rotten wood repair quoted separately.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Paint starting to flake - sort it before wood gets damaged
✅ Selling your house - fresh paint = well maintained
✅ Post-window replacement - new units need painting
✅ Changing colour scheme - different colour front door
✅ Protecting investment - prevent expensive rot repairs
⚠️ Upper floor work: Need safe access - ladder work for some areas, scaffolding for others.
Why Choose Us for Exterior woodwork painting in Exeter?
Weather-resistant exterior paint system
Proper prep removes flaking paint
Protects wood from Devon rain and rot
Smart finish that lasts for years
What to Expect
Step 1: Prep Work
I scrape all loose and flaking paint back to sound edges, sand smooth, and clean the surface. This is the time-consuming bit but it's what makes the job last.
Step 2: Prime & Undercoat
Any bare wood gets exterior wood primer (seals and protects). Then undercoat if needed for colour change or extra coverage. Skipping these saves time but ruins the job.
Step 3: Topcoat & Detail
Two coats of exterior gloss or satin applied carefully. Clean cutting-in around glass, hardware protected, drips caught before they dry. Glass gets scraped clean. Professional finish.
🔧 DIY Tips
Exterior woodwork painting is definitely DIY-able if you're patient and careful:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Scraper and wire brush
- Sandpaper (various grits)
- Exterior wood primer
- Undercoat and topcoat (exterior grade)
- Good quality brushes (2" angled for cutting in)
- White spirit for cleaning
- Window scraper for glass
🎨 Paint system matters
- Primer on bare wood (must be exterior grade)
- Undercoat for opacity and colour base
- Two topcoats for protection and finish
- Don't skip steps - each layer does a job
- Cheap paint = more coats needed = false economy
🔧 The technique
- Scrape and sand more than you think necessary
- Prime ALL bare wood - even small patches
- Thin coats dry better than thick ones
- Work in shade if possible (direct sun dries paint too fast)
- Clean glass while paint is wet (easier than scraping later)
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not scraping enough loose paint off
- Using interior paint outside (fails fast)
- Painting in direct sun (causes blistering)
- One thick coat instead of two proper coats
- Forgetting to prime bare wood
💡 Pro trick: Rub windows with soapy water before painting around them. If paint gets on glass, it's much easier to scrape off. And always paint window frames in this order: glazing bars first, then top rail, bottom rail, sides, finally the sill.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌧️ Weather matters: Need dry conditions for 24 hours after painting. Check forecasts. Spring and early autumn are ideal - not too hot, not too cold, hopefully dry. Avoid painting in direct hot sun (paint blisters) or damp conditions (won't cure).
Access to upper floors? I can work off ladders for some areas, but anything high needs proper access. If you've got scaffolding up for other work, it's the perfect time to paint upper floor woodwork.
Old Exeter property with original sash windows? Those are worth maintaining properly. Good exterior paint protects the wood and the investment. Modern replacements never look right in Victorian and Edwardian houses - better to keep painting the originals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does exterior woodwork need repainting?
Depends on exposure and paint quality - south-facing windows take more sun damage, so maybe every 4-5 years. North-facing in the shade can last 6-8 years. When paint starts flaking or you see bare wood showing, time to repaint. Regular maintenance costs less than full restoration of rotten wood.
Can you paint over old flaking paint?
Not successfully. All loose, flaking paint gets scraped back to sound edges. Then I sand, prime bare wood, and paint properly. Painting over flakes just means it all peels off together within months. The prep takes time but that's what makes it last.
What paint finish - gloss or satin?
Traditional exterior woodwork was always gloss (tough, weather-resistant, wipes clean). Modern satin finishes are popular now (softer look, hides imperfections better). Both work fine outside if you use proper exterior-grade paint. I'd suggest satin for most properties - looks smarter and easier to maintain.
Do you paint windows and keep the glass clean?
Yes - I cut in carefully around glass, and any paint on glass gets scraped off while wet. Professional window painting means clean glass and sharp lines. It's fiddly work but that's what you're paying for.
What if some of the wood is rotten?
Small rotten sections can be cut out and filled with wood filler or epoxy repair. Larger areas need replacing - that's carpentry work before painting. I'll be honest about what needs doing. Sometimes it's cheaper to replace a window sill than try to repair it.
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