Holidays, espescially the summer holidays are the perfect time for schools to carry out essential maintenance and improvement work—with painting and decorating often at the top of the list. At HL Decorating, we undertake school painting and decorating across London, Cambridge, and Essex, helping headteachers and school business managers plan efficient, high-quality projects during the break.
Here’s your complete guide to making the most of this vital window of opportunity.
Why Decorate During the Summer Holidays?
With students and most staff off-site, the summer holiday offers a rare chance to carry out larger-scale work without disruption. Painting and decorating during this period allows for:
- Uninterrupted access to classrooms and corridors
- Safe working conditions
- Time for drying and ventilation
- Completion before term starts
Step 1: Start Planning Early:
Summer may seem far away, but many schools begin planning their holiday works as early as March or April. Commercial decorators’ calendars fill up fast, particularly in high-demand areas like London, Cambridge, and Essex.
Tip: Schedule a site visit early to assess the scope and get an accurate quote.
Step 2: Prioritise Key Areas:
Focus on high-traffic or high-visibility zones that most affect the learning environment or leave a strong first impression:
- Classrooms
- Corridors and stairwells
- Assembly halls
- Reception areas
- Staff rooms
- Toilets and changing rooms
- External façades
We work closely with school administrators to help prioritise based on budget, usage, and condition.
Step 3: Choose the Right Materials for Schools:
Durability and safety are essential in school environments. At HL Decorating, we only use:
- Low-VOC, non-toxic paints (safe for children)
- Washable, scuff-resistant finishes (ideal for high-traffic areas)
- Anti-mould and anti-bacterial coatings for hygiene-sensitive zones
Step 4: Create a Clear Timeline:
We provide a detailed project schedule to ensure everything is completed before pupils return. Our team can work:
- Evenings and weekends (if needed)
- In multiple teams for large-scale projects
- With fast-drying products to meet tight deadlines
Step 5: Prepare for Minimal Disruption:
Even during the holidays, schools may host clubs, exams, or maintenance staff. Our decorators are:
- DBS-checked and fully insured
- Trained in safeguarding protocols
- Experienced in working in active school environments
- Fully trained and competent, working to a documented, safe system of work
We also coordinate with other contractors and your staff to avoid clashes during peak maintenance periods.
✅ Why Customers Trust Us
✅ Local expertise
✅ Fully insured
✅ Flexible, customer focused, responsive service
✅ Proven track record
✅ SMAS Worksafe accredited
Our team is ready to help you plan, prepare, and execute a decorating project that transforms your school’s learning environment.
We’d love to talk about your decorating project. Contact us for a free quotation.
Take a look at some of our previous projects.
