Interior & Exterior Decorators — Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, London and the South Eastenquiries@hawkesdecor.co.ukMon–Fri 8am–6pm
Service

Commercial Decorating

Professional commercial decorating for offices, shops, hospitality and managed premises across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and London.

Commercial Decorating

Commercial Decorating Services

A well-decorated commercial property does more than look smart. It tells customers, staff and visitors that the business cares about its surroundings. At Hawkes Decor we paint and decorate offices, shops, restaurants, reception areas, communal spaces and managed premises throughout Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, London and Surrey. We prepare surfaces properly, use paints suited to the level of wear, and work in a way that causes as little disruption as possible to your day.

We understand that commercial work is different from domestic decorating. There are opening hours to consider, staff and customers moving through the space, and finishes that need to stand up to daily use. We plan each job around the way your premises operate. That might mean working in sections, keeping access routes clear, or arranging the schedule so the noisiest or dustiest work happens before you open or after you close where that is practical.

Our team covers everything from a single office repaint to a full refurbishment of a commercial building. We decorate walls, ceilings, woodwork and exterior surfaces. We also hang wallpaper, paint kitchens and spray doors or panels where a smooth, even finish is needed. Because we handle preparation as well as painting, you do not need to bring in a separate contractor to fill cracks, sand woodwork or deal with flaking paint.

We work for business owners, landlords, letting agents, facilities managers and property management companies. If you manage a portfolio of commercial units, we can provide a consistent standard of decorating across all of them, with clear communication and a reliable schedule.

What's included

  • Surface preparation and repairs before painting
  • Durable, washable finishes for busy areas
  • Interior and exterior commercial painting
  • Work planned around your opening hours
  • Clean, tidy site left at the end of each day
  • One team for decorating and minor repairs

What We Decorate

Offices and Workplaces

We repaint open-plan offices, meeting rooms, corridors, stairwells and reception areas. A clean, fresh office helps staff feel more comfortable and gives visitors a better first impression. We use hard-wearing emulsion on walls and ceilings, and durable water-based or solvent-based paints on doors, frames and skirting boards. For high-traffic areas we can recommend finishes that resist scuffs and are easy to wipe down.

Shops and Retail Premises

Retail spaces need to look inviting and match the brand. We paint sales floors, stockrooms, fitting rooms and shopfronts. We can work around your trading hours, often completing the job in stages so you can stay open. Preparation is key in retail: we fill holes from old shelving, sand rough patches and make sure the final finish is even under bright shop lighting.

Restaurants, Cafés and Hospitality

Hospitality venues need paint that copes with steam, grease and constant cleaning. We use washable finishes in kitchens and food prep areas, and more decorative finishes in dining areas. We understand that hospitality businesses cannot always close for a week. We plan the work around your quietest times and keep the site clean and safe throughout.

Communal Areas and Shared Spaces

Entrance lobbies, hallways, stairwells and shared toilets in commercial buildings get heavy use. We repaint these areas with durable, scuff-resistant paints and can refresh woodwork, radiators and pipework at the same time. For managed buildings we can provide a schedule of works and keep residents or tenants informed through the managing agent.

Exterior Commercial Painting

We paint shopfronts, office exteriors, boundary walls, railings and other external commercial surfaces. Exterior work depends on the weather, so we plan it for dry, mild periods. We use masonry paints on rendered or pebbledash walls, and metal paints on railings and gates. All surfaces are washed down, scraped and primed before the topcoats go on.

How We Work on Commercial Projects

  1. Initial visit and survey

    We visit the premises to see the condition of the surfaces, measure up and talk through what you need. We note any repairs, access issues or time constraints.

  2. Written quotation and scope

    You receive a clear written quote that sets out the work, the materials and the schedule. We agree the scope in writing before starting, so there are no surprises.

  3. Preparation and protection

    We move or cover furniture where needed, protect floors and fittings, and prepare every surface. This includes washing down, filling, sanding, caulking and priming.

  4. Decorating in stages

    We work through the job in a logical order, often room by room or floor by floor. If you are staying open, we keep one area usable while we work on another.

  5. Snagging and handover

    We walk through the finished work with you, fix any snags on the spot, and leave the premises clean and tidy. We remove all our materials and waste.

What Affects the Time and Cost

Several things determine how long a commercial decorating job takes and what it costs. The size of the area is the most obvious factor, but the condition of the surfaces matters just as much. Walls with cracks, flaking paint or old wallpaper take longer to prepare than sound plaster. High ceilings, awkward access and intricate woodwork also add time.

The type of paint and finish you choose affects the price. Standard emulsion is cheaper than durable, scrubbable finishes designed for high-traffic areas. Water-based trim paints dry faster and smell less, but solvent-based paints sometimes give a tougher finish on doors and frames. We will recommend the right product for each surface and explain the cost difference.

Timing can also influence the price. If you need the work done very quickly, or outside normal working hours, that may cost more. We try to work around your business, but we cannot always guarantee weekend or night working. The best way to keep costs down is to plan ahead and book work for a quieter period.

Finally, the amount of furniture, stock or equipment we need to move and protect affects the labour time. If you can clear the area before we start, the job will be faster and cheaper.

Looking After the Finish

Once the paint is dry, a little care keeps it looking good for longer. In busy commercial spaces, marks and scuffs are inevitable. Most marks on washable emulsion or eggshell can be wiped with a soft cloth and mild detergent. Avoid abrasive cleaners, which dull the sheen.

Keep a small pot of the original paint for touch-ups. We can leave you any leftover paint, clearly labelled with the room and finish. For high-traffic areas like corridors and stairwells, an annual wash-down and touch-up will keep the space looking fresh between full repaints.

If you have exterior paintwork, check it each spring for cracks, peeling or algae. Catching problems early means a small repair rather than a full repaint. We offer ongoing maintenance for commercial clients, so you can put a repaint on the calendar before the surfaces start to look tired.

FAQs

Commercial Decorating — FAQs

Can't see your question? Call or send a message and we'll answer it.

What types of commercial premises do you decorate?

We decorate offices, shops, restaurants, cafés, salons, reception areas, communal spaces in commercial buildings, and managed premises. We also paint the exterior of commercial properties. If you are unsure whether we cover your type of building, please ask.

Can you work while our business is still operating?

In most cases yes. We plan the work in stages, keep one area usable while we decorate another, and keep access routes clear. We cannot guarantee out-of-hours working for every job, but we will always discuss the schedule with you before starting.

Do you handle office painting and refurbishment?

Yes. We repaint walls, ceilings, woodwork and radiators in offices of all sizes. We can also hang wallpaper, paint kitchens and spray doors. We will move and cover furniture as needed, or you can clear the space to speed things up.

Can you decorate shops and customer-facing premises?

Yes. We paint shop interiors, shopfronts and retail spaces. We understand that appearance matters for customer-facing businesses, so we pay close attention to preparation and finish. We can often work around your trading hours.

Do you provide painting services for landlords and property managers?

Yes. We work with landlords, letting agents and property management companies to repaint commercial units between tenancies and as part of planned maintenance. We can provide a consistent standard across multiple properties and keep you updated throughout.

How long does a commercial decorating job take?

It depends on the size of the area, the condition of the surfaces and the finish you choose. A small office might take two to three days, while a full building refurbishment could take several weeks. After surveying the premises we will give you a realistic timescale.

Commercial Decorating? Get a free quote

Tell us about the rooms or exterior that need decorating and where you are. We will come back with a sensible, itemised price.

  • Straight answers, fast
  • Priced on the job in front of us
  • Tidy, protected, finished properly