Is your paintwork costing your complex money?
Keeping a building looking its best isn’t just about appearances, it directly affects property value, tenant satisfaction and how often you need to dip into the sinking fund.
As a Dulux Accredited painter and proud ARAMA Industry Partner, Wilko Painting has created a free guide for ARAMA members:
“How to Extend the Life of Your Building’s Paintwork”
Inside you’ll discover:
- Practical tips to stretch your repaint cycles and save thousands
- The 5 most common painting mistakes that devalue complexes (and how to avoid them)
- Colour choices that attract tenants and boost property value
- What ARAMA members should know about painting warranties & compliance
HOW TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR BUILDING’S PAINTWORK
An Exclusive Guide for ARAMA Members
Prepared by Wilko Painting – Dulux Accredited.
This guide gives ARAMA members practical, no-nonsense steps to stretch repaint cycles, avoid costly mistakes and keep complexes looking their best.
QUICK WINS TO STRETCH REPAINT CYCLES
- Annual soft-wash of façades, soffits, and balustrades removes airborne grime and contaminants that accelerate coating breakdown.
- Keep gutters, downpipes, and weep holes clear. Standing water and overflow cause staining and premature failure on fascia’s and eaves.
- Reseal movement joints and failed caulking early. Micro-cracks let water in behind coatings and lead to peeling or blistering.
- Prioritise high-UV and high-traffic areas for touch-ups. North/west façades, pool surrounds, stair rails, and lift lobbies often need earlier intervention.
- Protect timber with the right system. Transparent finishes need more frequent maintenance; consider pigmented or hybrid systems for longevity.
- Maintain a paint register. Record products, colours, batch numbers, and dates so touch-ups match and warranty claims are supported.
THE 5 MOST COSTLY PAINTING MISTAKES IN COMPLEXES
- Poor surface prep on metals (handrails, balustrades). Skipping mechanical prep/etch-prime leads to early rust reappearance under fresh paint.
- Using interior-grade or low-spec coatings externally. Cheaper products chalk, fade, or peel faster, shortening the repaint cycle.
- Colour/finish mismatch across stages. Inconsistent sheen or colour undermines perceived quality and valuation, lock specs and keep a register.
- Ignoring substrate moisture or pH after repairs/render. Trapped moisture forces bubbles and delamination; allow proper cure times.
- No maintenance plan. Waiting for visible failure is expensive, schedule washdowns and touch-ups to maximise whole-of-life value.
COLOUR CHOICES THAT ATTRACT TENANT & BOOST VALUE
- Use a calm, modern neutral for primary walls (light-mid tone) with limited, cohesive accents on entries and wayfinding elements for clarity.
- Aim for sufficient contrast on signage and door numbers for accessibility and safety; choose durable, cleanable finishes in common areas.
- Select lighter colours (higher LRV) for corridors and car parks to increase illumination efficiency and improve CCTV readability.
- Where graffiti risk exists, specify anti-graffiti clear coats or sacrificial layers on vulnerable surfaces for easier cleaning.
- Standardise a palette across buildings and assets to simplify future maintenance and replacement.
WARRANTIES, COMPLIANCE & DOCUMENTATION
- Clarify the difference between manufacturer warranties (product) and applicator warranties (workmanship). Ensure both are documented.
- Confirm substrate prep, film builds, and environmental conditions meet the system specification, these affect warranty validity.
- Keep records: product datasheets, Safety Data Sheets, colour codes, batch numbers, and application dates.
- For strata/common property, ensure approvals and access notices are properly handled to minimise disruption and complaints.
- Maintain a simple ‘evidence pack’ (before/after photos, surface readings where relevant). This supports future claims or resale due diligence.
BUDGETING, STAGING & COMMUNICATION
- Stage work over several quarters to smooth cash flow. Target highest-risk façades and substrates first.
- Bundle scopes where access gear is required (e.g., combine façade, gutter, and soffit works) to reduce hire and mobilisation costs.
- Provide clear resident communications: advance notices, FAQs, and daily updates reduce complaints and delays.
- Align maintenance with seasonal weather patterns and school holidays where possible to minimise disruption.
ABOUT WILKO PAINTING
Wilko Painting is a Dulux Accredited contractor servicing South East Queensland with deep experience across apartments, townhouses, and resort/holiday complexes.
We partner with ARAMA members to deliver durable finishes, tidy sites, clear communication, and predictable timelines.
If you’d like a quick, obligation-free walkthrough of your complex to spot early wins, we’re happy to help.
