2. The Wrong Exterior Colour Scheme
2. The Wrong Exterior Colour Scheme (Image 2 of 9)
The Wrong External Colour Scheme
What is it?
It probably looked lovely on the tin, but banana yellow, tangerine or salmon pink rarely looks good on homes in the UK. Excessively bright colours for the outside of a home can leave a lasting impression with potential buyers - for all the wrong reasons.
Is it a Deal Breaker?
It shouldn't be. The wrong external finish may initially give you a bad feeling about a home, and will perhaps justify a little adjustment to your offer, but it is one of the easier home improvement nightmares to resolve.
What can you do about it?
If you want to go back to the bare brick then there are chemical processes available, none of which are particularly environmentally friendly, and most of which are messy and a potential hazard to pets. If you are taking off layered paints then it is possible that the older paint at the bottom may contain lead, so safe removal of all flakes and chips is essential. A job for professionals perhaps. Sandblasting should be avoided as it could damage the weather resistance of bricks particularly in older properties.
OR: You could simply repaint in a more subtle shade. Every area of the UK should have its own unique colour palette - or a range of colours that work well against the environment and with the quality of light that can be expected locally. There are tremendous differences in the amount and quality of light available across the UK. Areas in rain shadows like Manchester are regarded as being generally darker, while Cornwall and in particular St Ives is renowned for its almost Mediterranean quality of light, which suits bolder colours. Looking at the older properties in your locale should give an indication of what works well in your local area. Remember what looked great on that taverna on your holidays might be a little too bright for Scunthorpe. Try out a discrete test patch before committing yourself.
Average cost of repainting a medium sized three-bedroom house DIY = £600
Average cost of having someone repaint it for you = £1,470
Need Expert Help?
Find a trusted painter and decorator in your area using MyBuilder.
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