Claremont Heights Colchester, External Decoration of 173 Flats

Overview

Anglia Decor was appointed to carry out prior-to-paint repairs and a full programme of external decoration across 173 flats at Claremont Heights in Colchester, Essex. The project required careful planning and coordination to deliver a high standard of finish across a large residential development while keeping access costs to a minimum for the managing agent and residents.

Preparation and Timber Repairs

Full risk assessments and method statements were compiled before any work commenced on site. Our decorators carried out thorough preparation of all external woodwork to identify and expose any areas of rot or timber decay. A separate quotation for prior-to-paint repairs was prepared and agreed before remedial work began. All repairs were carried out using the RepairCare system, a two-part resin system that provides a long-lasting structural repair to rotten substrates without the need for full timber replacement.

Access Strategy

Anglia Decor hired a 16-metre mobile elevated work platform and a 21-metre tracked cherry picker to provide safe access across the development. Courtyard areas that were inaccessible by cherry picker required scaffold installation. By maximising the use of mobile elevated work platforms wherever possible, Anglia Decor reduced the overall access costs by approximately one-third compared to the other two quotations received by the client, delivering a significant saving without compromising on quality or safety.

Decoration Specification

The project was specified using the Dulux Weathershield system for all external woodwork, providing a durable and weather-resistant finish. All metalwork across the development was finished using Dulux Metalshield. UPVC goods were cleaned down as part of the preparation programme, and all gutters were cleared and any broken sections repaired.

Results

The expected factory painting lifespan is approximately 7–8 years. Anglia Decor completed the project without complications, and the managing agent was pleased with the standard of the finish across all 173 units. The cost savings achieved through the access strategy made this project particularly competitive without sacrificing quality.