Seamless strata painting in Surry Hills

In a fully occupied strata building, even a straightforward painting project requires precision and adaptability. With residents coming and going, daily life doesn’t pause just because the walls need attention. We recently completed a multi-level strata internal repaint in Surry Hills, delivering high-quality results across ceilings, walls, service doors and unit doors—all with minimal disruption to occupants.

At Dukes, we have over 50 years of experience navigating the complexities of painting in occupied buildings. We take a structured approach to every strata project, balancing efficiency with the needs of residents and property managers. Through careful coordination and proactive communication, we ensure a smooth process from planning to completion.

About a year ago, this client trusted Dukes with an external repaint and returned to us for the interior project. Strata buildings come with unique challenges, and this job was no exception. Here’s how we navigated them and why clear communication made all the difference.

Working in a fully occupied strata building means balancing progress with safety. With residents constantly moving through common areas, our team carefully managed foot traffic to prevent trip hazards.

Scheduling was crucial, particularly for service doors and individual unit doors. We structured our work around residents’ routines and carefully managed the logistics of painting high-traffic areas, including hallways and entryways.

Proactive communication was key. Before work began, residents received a detailed timeline outlining what to expect. Our project manager maintained close coordination with the building manager to ensure seamless operations throughout.

To accommodate some residents who were sensitive to paint odours, we selected low-odour, high-quality paints that met both durability and comfort standards. This helped minimise discomfort while maintaining a professional finish.

Ventilation was meticulously planned to reduce lingering fumes. Our team scheduled work to allow adequate airflow during and after painting, ensuring fresh air circulation throughout the building.

For residents with heightened sensitivities, we prioritised clear communication. Advance notice allowed them to prepare, and our team remained available to address any questions or concerns throughout the project.

Part of this project involved repainting 85 unit doors, which meant coordinating closely with residents to avoid unnecessary hassle. Our team scheduled work in advance, keeping everyone informed and allowing time to prepare. Residents were able to book times for repainting that suited their commitments and lifestyle.

Applying three coats to each door while maintaining quality control meant working with precision and careful timing. We allowed adequate drying time between coats to ensure a smooth finish without delaying the project.

Clear communication was essential to keeping the project organised and residents informed. Before work began, we held a pre-start meeting with key stakeholders to outline the communication plan and address any initial concerns.

Two weeks before starting on-site, residents received a detailed notice from Dukes, providing timelines and information on what to expect. Once work commenced, our project manager handled high-level communication with the building manager, while our site foreman managed daily updates and scheduled door repainting with residents.

At the project’s completion, we conducted a final sign-off meeting with the owners to review all work before issuing the final invoice. This ensured transparency and allowed any last details to be addressed before closing out another successful project.

“I would just like to pass on a huge compliment to the team working onsite here at Pelican St. Joe and his team are doing a great job, always there to help and answer any questions, happy, and very easy to work with.

A number of residents have also contacted me to say how nice they were not only when painting their apartment doors but they always say hello if they run into them inside the loft or common area hallways.

I would also like to mention how awesome Shane has been before and during these works. Always there to answer questions, meet onsite for the brush samples, etc.

It’s hard to have good workers anytime, but these workers are awesome.”

Darren – IOFS, Senior Building Manager

“The key takeaway from this project is that our core values are reflected in the way our team operates on-site, leading to outstanding results for our customers,” says our Managing Director, Paul Williams.

At Dukes, we complexities of managing strata projects and the importance of providing a cost-effective, hassle-free experience for all stakeholders. Our recent project in Surry Hills is another example of how we navigate these busy sites with consideration for both the residents who call them home and the owners who invest in them.

If you own or manage a strata property in need of internal or external repainting, remedial repairs or specialist access, our team has the expertise to handle it seamlessly. Contact us today to learn more or request a quote.