Front door painting in Exeter
Professional front door painting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£210
Typical Duration
2-4 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Front door painted to make a great first impression. Weather-resistant exterior paint, perfect cutting-in, and attention to detail that transforms your entrance and boosts kerb appeal.
Your Front Door is the First Thing People See
Before they ring the bell - that's when opinions form. Tired, peeling, faded door says "this house needs work." Smart, fresh, bold door says "this house is loved."
A fresh front door is the cheapest kerb appeal upgrade you can make. It's one small area but the impact is massive.
💡 Pro tip: Bold colours suit period properties. Modern houses can carry off darker, more sophisticated colours. When in doubt, ask neighbours what they think - you all have to look at it!
Why Front Doors Need Care
It's more than slapping paint on:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Proper prep, paint sticks for years | Peeling within months |
| Clean lines around glass/hardware | Messy edges, paint on glass |
| Weather-resistant exterior paint | Interior paint, fails fast |
| Smooth finish, no brush marks | Drips and streaks obvious |
Your front door faces the weather - shortcuts show fast.
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Prep | Sand to key surface, scrape any flakes, clean thoroughly |
| Prime | Bare wood or big colour changes get primer |
| Undercoat | Coverage coat for colour change |
| Topcoat | Two coats exterior gloss or satin |
| Detail | Clean glass, hardware protected, perfect lines |
📦 You're Left With
- Smart door that makes a statement
- Weather protection for years
- Perfect cutting-in around details
- Instant kerb appeal boost
Pricing Guide
| Door Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Plain panel door | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-£135 |
| Door with glass panels | 2.5-3 hrs | £135-£160 |
| Large/detailed door + frame | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Frame separate unless combined. Full strip and repaint quoted separately.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Selling your house - kerb appeal sells properties
✅ Tired entrance - faded paint dating the whole front
✅ Colour change - bold new statement or modern refresh
✅ Post-renovation - new windows, tired door stands out
✅ Protection needed - paint starting to fail, protect wood now
Why Choose Us for Front door painting in Exeter?
Makes a statement from the street
Weather-resistant exterior paint
Perfect cutting-in around glass and hardware
First impressions that last for years
What to Expect
Step 1: Prep Work
I sand the existing paint to give new paint something to grip, scrape any loose areas, and clean thoroughly. Hardware gets masked or removed. This prep determines how long the finish lasts.
Step 2: Prime & Undercoat
Bare wood or drastic colour changes need primer and undercoat. Skipping these means poor coverage and early failure. Worth the time.
Step 3: Topcoat & Detail
Two coats of exterior gloss or satin applied smoothly. Clean cutting-in around glass panels and hardware. Glass cleaned of any splatter. Frame edges kept paint-free. Professional finish that lasts.
🔧 DIY Tips
Front door painting is very DIY-able if you're careful:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Sandpaper (various grits)
- Exterior wood primer
- Exterior undercoat and topcoat
- Quality brushes (2" angled for panels)
- Masking tape for glass/hardware
- White spirit for cleaning
- Dust sheets
🎨 Paint choice matters
- Must be exterior grade (interior paint fails fast)
- Gloss is traditional and tough
- Satin is modern and forgiving
- Both work fine - personal preference
- Quality brands last longer - front doors take weather beating
🔧 Painting technique
- Sand thoroughly to key surface
- Wipe clean with white spirit
- Prime any bare wood
- Undercoat if changing colour
- Two topcoats for durability
- For panel doors: panels first, then rails, then stiles
- Don't overbrush - causes streaks
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not sanding properly (paint peels off)
- Using interior paint outside (fails in months)
- Only one coat (not enough protection)
- Painting in direct sun (blisters and brush marks)
- Closing door before paint's cured (sticks to frame)
💡 Pro trick: Remove door furniture (knocker, letterbox, house number) before painting. Much easier than masking around it, and you get perfect coverage. Just remember to keep screws safe - they always disappear.
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 before and after painting. Check forecasts. Spring and early autumn are ideal. Avoid painting in direct hot sun (paint dries too fast, shows brush marks) or damp/cold (won't cure properly).
Changing colour dramatically? White to navy or cream to black needs proper undercoat or you'll need four topcoats. One undercoat + two topcoats is quicker and cheaper than three or four topcoats trying to hide the base colour.
Old Exeter property? Victorian and Edwardian front doors are often solid timber and worth maintaining. Stripping back to wood is rarely necessary unless paint is completely failed - good prep and quality paint will last years. Those doors are part of the character - plastic replacements never look right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colour should I paint my front door?
Whatever you like - it's your house! But generally: bright colours (red, yellow, blue) make a statement and suit older properties. Dark colours (navy, black, grey) look modern and sophisticated. Match your door to window frames for cohesion, or contrast for impact. I've painted hundreds - happy to advise what suits your property.
Can you paint over my current colour or does the door need stripping?
Usually can paint over existing paint if it's sound. I sand to key the surface, then undercoat if changing colour drastically (white to black needs coverage). Only strip if paint is completely failed and flaking everywhere - that's rare and I'd quote separately. Most jobs just need good prep.
How long before I can use the door after painting?
Touch-dry in a few hours, but I'd avoid closing it properly for 24 hours. Paint needs time to harden or it sticks to the frame. If you need to use the door sooner, I can paint just the outside, let it cure, then do the inside separately.
Do you paint the door frame too or just the door?
Just the door in the basic price. Frame is separate because it's additional time (fiddly cutting-in around the architrave). But most people do both together - looks much better when everything matches. I can quote for door and frame together.
What about those fancy doors with glass panels?
No problem - I mask or carefully cut in around glass. Takes longer than a plain door because there's more detail, but the cutting-in is what you're paying for. Glass gets cleaned of any splatter before I leave.
Front door painting Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your front door painting job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Front door painting in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your front door painting job in Exeter today.