Insurance & Restoration Painting

Our Approach

We begin with a thorough, systematic assessment of the damage, documenting every affected surface with high-resolution photographs, written descriptions, and measurements that support the insurance claim and provide a clear record for the loss adjuster. Our quotation itemises every element — surface preparation, stain blocking, priming, materials, labour hours, access requirements, and waste disposal — in the structured format that loss adjusters and insurance companies recognise and approve without protracted negotiation or repeated requests for clarification. Before any painting begins, we confirm that the cause of the damage has been fully rectified: the burst pipe repaired, the roof leak sealed, the fire damage structurally assessed and signed off. Water-damaged plaster is tested with a Protimeter moisture meter at multiple points across the affected area, and we will not paint until readings fall below fifteen per cent — the threshold at which trapped moisture will not cause problems beneath the new coating. Where drying is still underway, we coordinate with specialist drying companies and schedule our painting to follow immediately once acceptable levels are reached. Smoke and soot damage requires specialist sealing with Zinsser BIN shellac-based primer, which encapsulates both the staining and the acrid odour that can persist through multiple coats of standard emulsion. For severe smoke contamination, we apply two coats of BIN followed by a mist coat before the colour topcoats. Colour matching is critical to a seamless reinstatement: we use spectrophotometer readings of the existing undamaged paint to identify the exact colour, sheen level, and product, and can mix bespoke matches at our supplier where the original shade has been discontinued or reformulated.

Materials & Brands

Our insurance restoration specification centres on specialist stain-blocking, sealing, and anti-mould products that address the specific challenges of post-damage redecoration. Zinsser BIN shellac-based primer is the foundation of our approach — it seals water stains, smoke damage, soot residue, and persistent odours more effectively than any other product on the market, drying within forty-five minutes and accepting topcoats within an hour. Zinsser Cover Stain oil-based primer provides an alternative where a heavier build is needed over severely stained surfaces. Dulux Trade Stain Block Plus offers a water-based option with lower odour for occupied properties where solvent-based products are impractical. Anti-mould treatment after water damage uses Zinsser Mould Killer to eliminate active mould growth on affected surfaces, followed by Zinsser Perma-White — a paint containing built-in anti-microbial protection that prevents mould regrowth in moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms, basements, and rooms with poor ventilation. Topcoats are always matched to the existing specification: if the property was originally decorated with Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion, we reinstate with the same product in the exact shade; if Little Greene Intelligent Emulsion was used, we match it precisely. We work with all premium paint ranges — including Mylands of London, Benjamin Moore, and Edward Bulmer — to achieve an exact like-for-like reinstatement that satisfies both the homeowner and the insurance company.

Property Considerations

Insurance restoration in prime central London properties must meet the same exacting standard as the original decoration — anything less is unacceptable to our clients and, we would argue, to a fair interpretation of the insurance policy's 'like-for-like' obligation. A water-stained ceiling in a Mayfair townhouse cannot be touched up with a tin of trade white when the original specification was Farrow & Ball Pointing in Estate Emulsion — it must be matched to the exact shade, applied with the same technique, and finished to the same flawless standard. We understand this expectation, we insist upon it in our quotations, and we advocate on behalf of our clients when insurers or their appointed loss adjusters suggest a cheaper, lower-quality approach. In listed buildings across Westminster, Kensington, and Camden, restoration must comply with conservation requirements: plaster repairs must use compatible materials, paint systems must be appropriate to the building fabric, and any work to decorative plasterwork or heritage features must be carried out by suitably experienced tradespeople. We document our methods and materials for conservation officers where required. In mansion blocks, flood damage from upstairs flats is one of the most common insurance claims, often affecting ceilings, cornicing, and the upper portions of walls — we coordinate access with building management, work within communal building rules, and ensure that restoration does not disturb neighbouring residents.

Frequently Asked Questions