Erko Apartments - Erskineville

In general, many strata properties schedule a full exterior repaint roughly every 7–10 years to maintain their appearance and protection. The exact timing can depend on factors like the building’s condition, exposure to weather and maintenance routine. The decision to repaint is typically made by the owners corporation or strata committee (often with input from property managers), who will assess the building for signs of paint failure, such as fading, cracking, or peeling, and determine if a repaint is necessary to preserve the building’s integrity and value.

The key is careful planning, communication and flexible access methods. Professional contractors like Dukes in Sydney coordinate closely with building management and residents. For example, scheduling work in stages and providing regular updates on timing. They often use specialised access techniques (such as rope access/abseiling or elevated work platforms) to avoid heavy scaffolding and keep common areas as clear as possible. Transparent communication (weekly progress notices, schedules and direct liaison with resident committees) helps ensure everyone knows what to expect, thereby minimising inconvenience to those living or working in the building.

The Erko Apartments project involves a comprehensive remedial scope to fix construction-related issues before and during the repaint. Key repairs include removing and replacing deteriorated expansion joints (to seal the building properly) and patching or re-rendering areas where the original render has cracked or failed. The team is also addressing concrete spalling (sometimes called “concrete cancer”) by treating rusted steel reinforcement and restoring the concrete, and using crack-stitching techniques to stabilise major cracks in the structure. Additionally, corroded “bar chairs” (metal supports within slabs that were causing rust stains) are being repaired so those issues don’t reappear through the new paint. All these repairs are necessary to restore the façade integrity and resolve the underlying defects from the original construction.

Rather than erecting large scaffolds around the three Erko Apartment buildings, Dukes is executing the external painting via rope access (abseiling) methods. The team has installed certified anchor points on each building’s rooftop, allowing trained abseil painters to descend and reach all areas safely. This approach avoids blocking the footpaths or affecting street traffic on Pearl, Macdonald and Bridge Streets. By keeping street frontages clear, the project reduces disturbance to residents and local businesses while still enabling painters to do their work at height efficiently. Rope access, combined with careful safety measures, provides a flexible and cost-effective way to complete high-rise painting with minimal impact on the surroundings.

Dukes has implemented a proactive communication strategy to keep both residents and nearby businesses in the loop throughout the Erskineville project. A detailed program was prepared before work commenced, and the strata committee receives weekly progress reports. The team engaged early on with residents in all three buildings and with the corner café owner to discuss timing, access points and any special requirements. By setting expectations up front and maintaining open lines of communication, the project can adjust to any concerns in real time. For example, scheduling noisy work at suitable hours or arranging access around the café’s busy periods. This collaborative approach, along with a transparent process for managing any variations in work, has helped maintain harmony on site and build trust with the stakeholders.