Frequently Asked Painting Questions

In Hawke’s Bay, most exterior paint jobs last 7–10 years when done properly. Homes closer to the coast, or those with heavy sun exposure (especially north-facing walls), may need repainting closer to 5–7 years.

Sun exposure is the biggest factor locally, more so than salt air. Poor prep or shortcuts in a previous paint job can also shorten the lifespan significantly.

At Bay Decorating, we focus on surface preparation and using paint systems suited to New Zealand conditions to give your home the best chance of lasting as long as possible.

Check out our blog on How Often Should You Repaint the Exterior of Your Home in Hawke’s Bay?

The best time to paint a house in Hawke’s Bay is generally spring through early autumn, when temperatures are warmer and there’s less moisture in the air.

Exterior painting needs stable conditions so paint can cure properly. Cold nights, heavy dew, rain, or high humidity can all affect how paint dries and bonds to the surface. That’s why winter painting is more limited and often weather-dependent.

That said, Hawke’s Bay’s climate is milder than many parts of New Zealand, so there are often good painting windows year-round. A professional painter will plan around the forecast rather than pushing ahead just to stay on schedule.

At Bay Decorating, we build flexibility into exterior jobs and won’t rush work in poor conditions. Getting the timing right is a big part of making sure the paint job lasts.

Prep work is the most important part of any paint job and usually takes around 70% of the total time.

Professional prep typically includes:

• Washing the house properly

• Treating mould and mildew (water blasting alone doesn’t kill spores)

• Scraping failing paint

• Sanding full surfaces, not just flaking spots

• Priming bare timber and repairs

• Filling and sanding holes and imperfections

• Sealing gaps and cracks

If a quote just says “prep as required” without detail, that’s a red flag. We’re always happy to explain exactly how we prepare surfaces before painting.

Yes. Bay Decorating provides interior and exterior painting across Napier, Hastings, Havelock North, and the wider Hawke’s Bay. We even travel out of the region for the right projects so feel free to reach out to discuss.

Interior work includes walls, ceilings, trims, doors, and feature walls. Exterior work includes weatherboards, plaster, soffits, fascia, trims, and windows.

We tailor our approach depending on whether you’re living in the home during the job, and always aim to keep the space clean, tidy, and livable.

Timelines depend on the size of the job and how much prep is required.

As a general guide:

• Interior repaints: 1–3 weeks

• Exterior repaints: 2–4+ weeks

• Full strip or heritage homes: longer, depending on condition

Very short timelines on older homes often mean prep is being reduced. We allow enough time to do the job properly rather than rushing to get in and out.

Yes. We regularly work on older villas and character homes around Napier and Hawke’s Bay.

These homes often require:

• More extensive prep

• Careful sanding

• Window repairs and re-puttying

• Lead paint management where applicable

We assess this at the quoting stage and adjust the scope so the paint system is safe and long-lasting.

Yes. We have special equipment and processes that allows us to do this safely. On older homes, lead paint must be handled carefully.

Lead paint can’t be sanded safely because it creates hazardous dust that can affect the health of people living in the home — especially children. In these cases, paint needs to be carefully removed before normal sanding and prep can begin.

We assess this early and adjust the scope to protect both the home and the people living in it.

We handle minor plastering/ filling repairs such as filling holes, patching small areas, sealing gaps, and fixing surface imperfections as part of our prep work.

This makes life easier for our clients as we can come in and handle small jobs without having to involve other specialized gib stopping trades.

We don’t usually do full house gib stopping or structural repairs, but we’ll flag anything that needs attention before painting starts.

Cleanliness is part of doing the job properly.

We:

• Agree on where gear is stored

• Protect floors, furniture, and joinery

• Manage dust during sanding

• Pack down and vacuum daily

Many clients live in their homes during the job, so we treat it like a home, not a building site.

We use both methods depending on the surface.

Spraying can work well, but it requires extensive masking. When used purely to save time, it can lead to overspray and poorer finishes. Brush and roller work takes longer but often gives better control and easier future touch-ups.

We primarily use Resene and other premium paints designed for New Zealand conditions.

Paint choice is discussed during quoting so expectations around durability and maintenance are clear.

Yes. We offer free, detailed quotes across Napier and Hawke’s Bay.

Our quotes outline prep work, scope, and timelines so you can compare painters properly - not just on price.

Yes, most professional painters require a deposit, with the balance paid once the job is completed.

The exact structure can vary depending on the size and length of the project, but a deposit helps secure your place in the schedule and covers initial costs like materials and setup. For larger jobs, payments may be staged rather than paid all at once.

What matters most isn’t the deposit itself — it’s clarity. You should always know:

• when payments are due

• what stage of the job they relate to

• what’s included in the quoted price

At Bay Decorating, we explain payment terms upfront so there are no surprises. Clear expectations on both sides make the job smoother from start to finish.

We’re based in Napier and regularly work in Hastings, Havelock North, and Central Hawke’s Bay. We’ll travel further for the right project.

Availability depends on the season and current workload. Exterior work is weather-dependent, especially in winter.

We usually need at least a 2-3 month lead time to book in full exterior repaints.

The best way to secure a spot is to get in touch early so we can plan properly.

Yes. While paint itself has manufacturer warranties, the real guarantee comes from how the job is prepared and applied.

Most paint failures happen because of shortcuts in prep, not because of the paint product. That’s why we focus so heavily on surface preparation, correct primers, and allowing enough time for the job to be done properly.

If there’s an issue related to our workmanship, we stand by our work and fix it. We’d much rather address something early than have it turn into a bigger problem later.

A painter who’s confident in their prep and process won’t shy away from this question — it’s a good one to ask when comparing quotes.

It depends on the size of the job, the condition of the surfaces, and how long you want the result to last.

DIY painting can work for small, low-risk areas, but most exterior repaints — and many full interior jobs — involve far more prep than people expect. Proper washing, sanding, priming, filling, and safety considerations (like lead paint) are where professional experience really matters.

A rushed DIY job or one done without the right prep often ends up needing repainting much sooner, which can cost more in the long run.

Hiring a professional painter means you’re paying for time, systems, and experience — not just someone to apply paint.