Painting is the quickest way to make a house feel cared for again, and the job where shortcuts show fastest. Paint over a damp patch or a crack and it is back within months. In Istria, sea air, strong sun and winter humidity make preparation even more important.
We bring in painters from our network for anything from a single room to a whole house, and coordinate them with other work so they come at the end, after the dusty jobs are finished.
What we paint
- Apartments and houses. Walls and ceilings in single rooms, whole flats or houses.
- Holiday rentals. Refreshing apartments between seasons, touching up scuffs and stains from guests.
- Preparation. Filling cracks and holes, repairing loose plaster, sanding and priming.
- Mould and damp patches. Cleaning and treating affected areas and using suitable paint, once the cause has been addressed.
- Exterior work. Facades, garden walls and window reveals, in suitable weather.
- Woodwork and metal. Doors, shutters and railings, where the surface allows.
Paint in a coastal climate
Inside, the main enemy is moisture: bathrooms without good ventilation, north-facing rooms in a house that stays closed all winter, and old stone walls. Outside, it is UV light, salt and wind-driven rain. Choosing the right paint, and the right time of year to apply it, makes a big difference. Our article on painting in a coastal climate goes into detail.
Old stone houses need special care. Modern plastic-based paints can trap moisture in stone and lime walls, which then shows as flaking paint and salt marks. Breathable lime or silicate paints usually work better there. If a wall is visibly damp, read about damp in old stone walls first: painting alone will not fix it.
How it works if you are abroad
Send us photos of the rooms or facade on WhatsApp, including close-ups of any cracks, stains or damp areas. We give you a rough price range, then a written quote with VAT included after a site visit. For rentals in Rovinj/Rovigno, Poreč/Parenzo, Novigrad, Umag or Pula/Pola, we plan the work around your bookings, usually in spring or autumn. See also our pre-season checklist.
What affects the price
The main factors are the wall and ceiling area, the amount of repair needed before painting, ceiling height, how much furniture has to be moved and covered, the number of colours, and for exteriors the need for scaffolding. For a first idea, try the renovation cost calculator. Painting often follows drywall work or a full renovation.
Send us photos of the rooms you want painted on WhatsApp. We will reply with a rough range and possible dates.
Frequently asked questions
Can you paint while the apartment is furnished?
Yes. Furniture is moved to the middle of the room and covered, and floors are protected. For rentals we plan the work between bookings.
Why does paint keep peeling off my stone walls?
Usually because moisture is trapped behind a non-breathable paint or plaster. The cause of the damp has to be fixed first, and a breathable paint used afterwards.
When is the best time to paint a facade in Istria?
Spring and early autumn are usually best: dry, not too hot, and outside the summer season when many coastal towns limit building work.
Do I need to buy the paint myself?
No. We can include the paint in the quote, or use the colour and brand you choose.
Guides on this topic
Painting a House in Istria: Inside and Out in a Coastal Climate
Which paints survive salt, sun and humidity in Istria, when to paint, how to prepare walls and how to deal with mould in a holiday home.
Damp in Old Stone Walls: Causes and Sensible Fixes
Why old Istrian stone walls get damp, how salts and cement plaster make it worse, and the fixes that actually help: drainage, lime plaster, ventilation.
Preparing Your Holiday Rental in Istria for the Season: Checklist
A practical pre-season checklist for holiday homes in Istria: what to check, what to fix, and when to book tradesmen before the first guests arrive.