Decorating a New Build Home in North London: First-Time Decoration Guide

Moving into a new build property in North London presents different decoration challenges from decorating an older property. The builder's initial decoration is typically applied to fresh plaster — still containing significant residual moisture — and is intended as a temporary base coat rather than a finished decoration. Understanding the correct approach helps new build buyers avoid expensive mistakes.

The Builder's Emulsion Problem

Most new build properties come with walls finished in a basic builder's emulsion — typically applied quickly to fresh plaster that may not have fully cured. The result is often a pale, uneven, slightly absorbent surface that shows every scuff mark and doesn't carry deeper colours particularly well. The correct approach is to let the plaster cure fully (minimum 6 months from plastering date), allow any initial movement cracks to appear and stabilise, then fill cracks and redecorate properly.

Movement Cracks in New Builds

All new build properties exhibit some degree of settlement movement in the first 1–2 years — particularly at plasterboard junctions, window and door heads, and wall-to-ceiling angles. These cracks should be filled and redecorated rather than ignored. We specify a flexible decorator's filler at movement joints to minimise the risk of re-cracking.

New build first decoration and redecoration across North London — call 020 3874 2670 for advice specific to your property.