Why Proper Preparation Matters
Most of the time spent on a high-quality painting job isn't actually applying the paint — it's preparing the room and the walls. Proper preparation prevents paint splatters on floors and furniture, ensures crisp paint lines along skirting boards and ceilings, and saves significant time, allowing the painters to focus on executing a smooth coat.
In Dubai, there are additional community guidelines, building approvals, and logistical rules that must be settled before paint cans are opened. Below is your complete step-by-step checklist.
1. Administrative and Building Access Steps
High-rise apartments and gated villa communities in Dubai almost always have strict rules for contractor entry. Failing to complete these steps beforehand can cause delayed starts.
- Secure the Developer/HOA NOC: Check if your building management (e.g., Emaar, Nakheel, Dubai Properties) requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for minor maintenance work.
- Book the Service Lift: For apartments in areas like Downtown Dubai or Dubai Marina, schedule service elevator access during designated contractor hours.
- Confirm Working Hours: Check the allowed contractor hours. Most residential towers restrict loud work and general entries to 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
- Provide Security Gate Passes: Ensure security has the details of the painting team to avoid delays at the community gate or reception desk.
2. Preparing the Room and Belongings
While our professional team covers your floors and large furniture, taking a few simple steps beforehand protects your personal items.
- Clear Small Items and Decor: Remove small items, tabletop decorations, photo frames, and desktop equipment from the rooms to be painted.
- Take Down Wall Hangings: Remove all paintings, mirrors, clocks, and wall art. If you plan to hang them back in the same spots, leave the nails or hooks in place; otherwise, let our team know so we can patch the holes.
- Secure Electronics: Unplug and store televisions, gaming consoles, routers, and other expensive electronics away from the work area.
- Gather Valuables: Secure jewellery, personal documents, and small high-value items in a locked drawer or safe.
- Group Large Furniture: Pull large furniture items (sofas, beds, dining tables) away from the walls and group them in the centre of the room. We will cover them with protective plastic sheeting.
3. Wall Assessment and Special Requirements
Take a quick walk around your home to identify specific issues that the painters need to address before painting begins.
- Check for Water Damage or Leaks: Look for bubbles, discolouration, or peeling paint near AC vents or bathrooms. If you have an active leak, it must be resolved by a plumber before repainting.
- Identify Wall Cracks: Note hairline or structural cracks. Standard settlement cracks can be filled with standard filler, but deeper cracks require mesh tape and joint compound.
- Locate Damaged Skirting Boards: Check for wooden skirting boards that are loose or warped, as they might need to be secured or replaced.
- Decide on Wall Features: Determine if you want feature walls, wallpaper removed, or specific wall textures sanded flat.
What Fixer Guy Handles For You
When you hire our team, we take care of the heavy lifting and protective measures on-site:
- Double-Layer Floor Protection: We lay thick plastic sheeting and protective paper on tiled, marble, or parquet floors, securing the edges with low-tack painter's tape.
- Furniture Wrapping: All clustered furniture is covered in clean plastic dust sheets.
- Masking Outlets and Switches: We mask all light switches, plug outlets, thermostats, and trim edges to guarantee clean lines.
- Sanding and Patching: We patch nail holes, fill hairline cracks, sand the surface smooth, and apply primer where drywall is exposed.
Planning a Paint Project?
Get in touch with us to schedule a professional assessment. We coordinate the timeline, prep your space thoroughly, and deliver a premium finish.
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