Pre-sale preparation — house overlooking a park in Fulham
Project overview
A beautiful family house in Fulham with a rare feature — a lovely view over a park. The owners were getting ready to sell and wanted the property to look its absolute best for viewings. They didn't need a full renovation, but they did need a thorough cosmetic refresh inside and out. We repainted selected rooms and walls where the finish had faded or marked, and we completely cleaned up the front garden, patio and back garden area — removing dirt, old leaves, moss and black mould. The wooden terrace decking was pressure washed back to life, and the whole exterior felt instantly fresher.
The challenge
The inside of the house was in good structural shape, but years of family life had left their mark: scuffed walls in the hallway, tired paint in a couple of bedrooms, marks around light switches and door frames. Nothing major - but when you're selling a house in Fulham, small imperfections look like neglect to potential buyers. The bigger job was outside. The front garden and patio area had accumulated dirt and debris. The back garden looked tired, with green moss and patches of black mould on paving and wooden surfaces. The wooden terrace decking in particular had gone grey-green and felt slippery underfoot. All of this needed to be cleaned properly, not just covered up.
What we did
Inside — cosmetic repaints
We started by assessing every room and focusing on the areas that needed attention, rather than repainting the whole house unnecessarily (the owners wanted smart value for money before selling). We repainted:
The hallway and stairwell - high-traffic areas with visible scuffs and marks
Two bedrooms where the walls had faded unevenly
The living room feature wall, which had some discolouration around an old picture hook
Touch-ups around architraves, skirting boards and door frames throughout
Every surface was prepped properly - filled, sanded and spot-primed where needed - before two coats of fresh paint in sympathetic, neutral tones that would appeal to a wide range of buyers.
Outside - front garden and patio
The front garden area had collected dead leaves, dirt and general grime over the winter months. We swept and cleared all debris first, then used a pressure washer to clean the paving and any hard surfaces. The difference was immediate - what looked like stained old stone turned out to be beautiful clean paving once the dirt was gone.
Outside - back garden, patio and terrace decking
The back garden needed the most work. We cleared all old leaves and plant debris, then pressure washed every hard surface: the patio paving, the pathways, and most importantly the wooden terrace decking. The decking had developed a layer of green moss and black mould in places, making it look neglected and feel slippery and unsafe. After a careful pressure wash (using the right nozzle and pressure setting so as not to damage the wood), the moss and mould were completely gone. The natural colour of the wood came back. We let it dry fully - the owners could then decide whether to apply a protective oil or sealer after we left.
We also cleaned the garden walls and any stone steps, removing green algae patches that had built up in damp corners.
Before and after results
Inside: The house felt fresh and neutral - ready for photos, floor plans and viewings. Nothing shouted "this needs work". Instead, the walls looked clean and well-maintained, helping buyers focus on the house's real selling points: the space, the layout, and that park view.
Outside: The transformation was even more dramatic. Before cleaning, the front garden looked tired and the back garden felt damp and unwelcoming. The mossy decking was a genuine turn-off. After our pressure washing, the paving looked almost new, the decking returned to its original warm wood tone, and the whole outdoor space felt bright, dry and inviting. For a house on the market, a clean, usable garden adds real value.
Why pre-sale preparation matters
When you're selling a house in Fulham - or anywhere in London — first impressions are everything. Buyers decide how they feel about a property within seconds of walking up to the front door. A dirty garden, mossy decking or scuffed hallway walls all whisper the same thing: "this house hasn't been looked after." Even if that's not true, the perception sticks. A targeted pre-sale refresh - inside and out - removes those objections before they even form. It's one of the most cost-effective ways to help a property sell faster and for a better price.
Before
After
