Decorating a typical Sawston semi
Semi-detached houses make up 47% of local homes, and most were built after the war. In houses of that age the plaster is usually sound, so a lot of the time goes into filling cracks round door frames, sanding back old gloss and making good where shelves and pictures have come down.
Hallways and stairs take the most knocks in a family house. We protect the treads and banisters, set up safe access over the stairwell and often suggest a washable matt such as Little Greene Intelligent Matt Emulsion on the walls.
Owners, tenants and housing associations
Two thirds of Sawston households own their home, split between 37.5% outright and 28.9% with a mortgage. Another fifth rent from a council or housing association, and 11.5% rent privately. For a landlord readying a house for new tenants, we focus on durable, easy-to-touch-up finishes.
If colour is the hard part, we paint tester pots in several spots so you can see each shade in morning and evening light. Our guide to preparing for a decorator covers what to move before we arrive.
Sawston at a glance
- 16 milesby road from our Landbeach base, about 24 minutesOSRM routing
- 3,057householdsCensus 2021
- 66%of homes are owner-occupiedCensus 2021
- 12%of homes are privately rentedCensus 2021
- 7%of properties were built before 1919VOA Council Tax stock
- 6%are flatsCensus 2021
How we approach interior decorating
Graham walks round with you and puts every room in a written quotation. We cover floors, move furniture safely, fill and sand, and stain-block any water marks with Zinsser. Bare timber is primed, and woodwork goes in gloss, satin or eggshell as you prefer. We tidy at the end of each day. The full method, products and FAQs are on our interior decorating page.