Painting a new-build before you move in
A new-build looks pristine on handover day — and then you notice it: every wall is the same flat developer white, it marks if you so much as brush past it, and it can't be wiped clean. Repainting in a proper finish, in colours you actually chose, is one of the best-value things you can do to a new home. And the easiest time is before you move in.
You don't need to wait for the keys to plan it. The developer's floor plan from the brochure is enough to get a fixed price for the whole home today.
Price it from the builder's floor plan
Upload the plan, we read every room, you get a fixed price — materials included.
Quote from my floor plan →What's actually wrong with developer white
It's not that it looks bad on day one — it's what it's made of. House builders use a cheap contract matt emulsion, applied fast and thin, chosen for coverage and cost rather than durability. The result:
- It marks and scuffs instantly — bags, furniture, little hands, all leave a trace.
- You can't clean it — wiping a mark just burnishes a shiny patch or takes the paint off.
- Touch-ups show — the sheen never quite matches, so repairs stand out.
- It's one flat colour throughout — functional, but not a home you've chosen.
Why do it before you move in
Every reason to paint a new-build is easier with an empty house. There's no furniture to move, decorators have clear access to every room, ceilings and stairwells are simple to reach, and you walk into a finished home rather than living around the work. It's also the cheapest time, because an empty house is quicker to paint.
Does the new plaster need to dry first?
This is the most common worry, and usually a non-issue. On a new-build the walls are already sealed and painted by the developer, so the surface is ready to over-paint straight away. Where it matters is any patch of fresh, exposed plaster — that must be fully dry before a normal full-cover coat, or it can trap moisture and flake. We check for this as part of the job and treat anything that needs it. In the large majority of new-builds, you can redecorate as soon as you have access. For more on this, see our guide on painting new plaster.
What to prioritise
If you're phasing the work, start with the rooms and surfaces that are hardest to redo later or take the most punishment:
- Hallway, stairs and landing — the busiest, most-marked areas in any home.
- Living room and kitchen/diner — where you'll spend the most time.
- A durable, wipeable finish in high-traffic rooms, so marks wipe off instead of staining.
- Feature walls or your chosen colours — far easier before furniture is in place.
Getting a price from the plan
New-build floor plans are usually crisp and clearly labelled, which makes them ideal for an instant quote. Here's the flow:
- Grab the developer's floor plan from the brochure or your reservation pack.
- Upload it — both floors if the plan is split across two images.
- We read the rooms and estimate sizes, then list them back to you.
- Choose your finish and colours and get a fixed, itemised price with materials included.
Because new-build plans are so clear, the estimate tends to be tight. And as always, if anything differs once we're on site, we confirm the adjusted price with you before we start.
Make it feel like yours from day one
Price your new-build repaint from the floor plan and book the empty window.
Quote from my floor plan →Frequently asked questions
Should I repaint a new-build?
Many people do. Developers use a cheap flat contract emulsion — often a single colour throughout — that scuffs and marks very easily and can't be wiped clean. Repainting in a proper hard-wearing finish makes the home feel finished, resists everyday marks, and lets you choose your own colours. Doing it before you move in, while the rooms are empty, is the easiest time.
Can I paint a new-build straight away, or does the plaster need to dry?
New-build walls are usually already painted by the developer, so the surface is sealed and ready to over-paint. If any fresh plaster is exposed it should be fully dry before a full-cover coat, which we assess as part of the job. In most cases you can redecorate a new-build as soon as you have access.
How do I get a price for a new-build before completion?
Use the developer's floor plan from the brochure. Upload it and our tool reads each room and estimates its size, giving you a fixed price for the whole home with materials included — no measuring or site visit needed. New-build plans are usually very clear, which makes the estimate accurate.
Is developer white good enough to keep?
It's fine as a base, but it's a budget flat paint chosen for coverage and cost, not durability. It marks easily, touch-ups show, and it can't be cleaned. If you want walls that stay looking good and a finish you actually chose, repainting is worth it — and cheapest done empty.