Painter & decorator · Colchester, Ipswich & Surrounding Areas
Essex & Suffolk painter & decorator. Finished properly.
We’ve got it covered
Interior and exterior painting and decorating by James Hayes. Careful prep, sharp lines and a home left clean, whether it’s one room or the whole house.
- Free written quotes
- Dust-extracted prep
- One decorator, start to finish
Prefer to talk? Call James: 07528 159790
Get your free quote
James replies personally. No obligation.
Meet James
One decorator. No hand-offs.
Fresh Coat is James Hayes, a hands-on painter and decorator working in homes across Essex & Suffolk. When you book Fresh Coat, James is the one who visits, quotes, preps and paints, so the standard you’re promised is the standard you get.
Most jobs are interiors: walls, ceilings, coving, doors, staircases and wall panelling, plus wallpaper hanging and exterior woodwork. Every one starts with proper preparation: filling, dust-free sanding, caulking and priming. That’s what makes a finish last.
Services
Painting & decorating services
From a quick refresh before you sell to a full house after a renovation, every job gets the same care.
Interior painting & decorating
Walls, ceilings, coving, doors and skirting, prepped properly and painted with sharp, clean lines.
Exterior painting
Front doors, fences, gates, windows and woodwork prepared and painted to stand up to the weather.
Staircases & woodwork
Spindles, banisters, doors and skirting brought back to a crisp, hard-wearing finish.
Kitchen cabinet painting
A new look for a sound kitchen: cabinets keyed, primed and hand-painted to last.
Recent work
Real homes across Essex & Suffolk
Every photo here is a Fresh Coat job, from deep plum stair panelling to sage living rooms and crisp white woodwork.
Facebook reviews
100% of customers recommend Fresh Coat
Every review on James’s Facebook page is a recommendation. Here’s what customers say.
Recommends Fresh Coat
James did an excellent job with our painting and decorating. The finish was of a really high standard, and he was clean, tidy, and very thorough throughout. He was also extremely professional from start to finish. We’re really pleased with the results and would happily recommend James to anyone looking for a reliable, high-quality painter and decorator.
Lloyd F. · October 2026
Recommends Fresh Coat
James comes highly recommended from us. We have worked with James for the past six years. He does a great job and work incredibly hard. We’ve used him to paint a number of different rooms and will definitely use him again in the future.
Christopher I. · June 2026
Recommends Fresh Coat
We have used James for the last 6 years across two homes. He is reliable, extremely thorough and his work is fantastic! We would never use anyone else. Thanks James!
Clare M. · May 2026
Recommends Fresh Coat
We would highly recommend James! Done a great job on our extension, hallway & bedrooms. Went the extra mile to advise us on what we should do to get the best finish. Very professional & trustworthy. Looking forward to having him back again soon.
Paul M. · November 2025
Recommends Fresh Coat
I can thoroughly recommend James. Brilliant job and a pleasure to have in your house. I can see me becoming a regular!
Cat M. · June 2025
Recommends Fresh Coat
After coming round to quote, (what turned out to be a very reasonable price,) James decorated our newly built extension. He did a fantastic job… every wall, ceiling, door frame and door looked lovely. We found that he goes above and beyond to ensure a really top job. On top of that, he is a really nice chap!
Paul F. · February 2025
Recommends Fresh Coat
I can’t recommend highly enough! James is a perfectionist – he has gone above and beyond any workman I have employed in the past. If you’re looking for someone special to decorate your home, James is your man!
Debbie B. · February 2025
Recommends Fresh Coat
James recently decorated my living room. Great attention to detail and completed on schedule. He was clean and tidy and very competitively priced. Highly recommend 👍🏻
Iain B. · February 2025
Recommends Fresh Coat
Top class finish, and very reliable.
Scott W. · August 2023
How it works
From first message to finished room
Get in touch
Send the quote form or call. A few photos of the rooms help James give you a rough idea straight away.
Visit & written quote
James looks at the surfaces, talks colours and finishes, and sends a clear written quote.
Prep & protect
Furniture covered, floors protected, then the proper prep: filling, sanding, caulking and priming.
Paint & walk-round
Sharp cut-ins and even coats. You walk round the finished job with James before he packs away.
Areas we cover
Your local Essex & Suffolk decorator
Fresh Coat works across north Essex and south Suffolk, from Ipswich and the Dedham Vale down to Colchester and Maldon. Can’t see your town? Ask, James travels for the right job.
Pricing
How much does a painter and decorator cost?
Every job is priced individually after a look at the surfaces, but our Essex & Suffolk cost guide covers typical day rates and room-by-room prices so you know what to expect before you pick up the phone.
Questions
Do you give free quotes?
Yes. Every quote is free and comes in writing, with no obligation to go ahead. Send the form with a few photos and James can often give you a rough idea before visiting.
Which areas do you cover?
Colchester, Ipswich, Dedham, Witham, Maldon, Tiptree and the towns and villages in between, across north Essex and south Suffolk. If you’re further afield, ask: James travels for the right job.
Do you move furniture and protect floors?
Yes. Furniture is moved or covered, floors and fittings are protected with dust sheets and masking, and sanding is done with dust extraction so your home stays clean.
Can you use the paint brand and colour I’ve chosen?
Absolutely. James can supply good-quality trade paint for the job, or use the brand and colour you’ve picked, whether that’s Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Dulux or anything else.
Free, no-obligation quote
Ready for a fresh coat?
Tell James what needs doing. Photos help, and you’ll get a clear written price with no pressure to go ahead.
Or call 07528 159790