Painting, architecture and construction services in Lisbon.
What we do, how we work, and what you can expect — written plainly, so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Three trades, one team responsible.
ARFAN SHAHZAD UNIPESSOAL LDA handles painting, architecture and construction for homes and small businesses across Greater Lisbon. One team means one phone number, one schedule and one fixed price agreed before work begins — instead of coordinating separate painters, designers and builders yourself.
Every project starts the same way: a free visit, a written fixed quote, and a clear schedule. Below, each service is explained in detail — what is included, how the work is done, and what you can expect at each stage.
Painting services
We repaint interiors and exteriors across Greater Lisbon — apartments, villas, offices and shops. Most painting problems come from poor preparation, not poor paint, so every job starts the same way: we protect floors, furniture and fittings, repair the surface properly, and only then apply the topcoat. It takes longer than a quick coat, but the result lasts years instead of months.
Interior painting
Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, hallways, ceilings, doors, skirting boards and fitted woodwork — repainted with care while you live around the work. We use low-odour, low-VOC paints as standard for interiors: healthier for children, pets and anyone working from home, and they dry without the strong smell of traditional paints. Bedrooms and living rooms usually suit a calm matte finish; kitchens, bathrooms and corridors do better with washable, moisture-resistant coatings that stand up to steam and daily cleaning.
Exterior painting and facades
Lisbon’s sun, salty air and winter rain are hard on facades. Exterior work here needs paint systems made for the Atlantic climate: high-pressure washing to remove salt and grime, anti-humidity primers, flexible coatings that move with small cracks, and colours that resist strong sun. Before painting we repair damaged render and treat damp or salt stains, because paint over a bad substrate always fails. We arrange scaffolding and any needed permits, and in historic streets we keep to the traditional colour palettes the area requires.
Offices, shops and rental properties
Offices, shops, restaurants and rental properties are usually painted outside opening hours so your business is not interrupted — evenings and weekends when needed. We section off work areas, keep dust contained, and leave the space clean each morning. For landlords we offer straightforward repaints between tenants: durable, neutral finishes that photograph well for listings and stand up to heavy use.
Colour advice
If you are unsure about colours, we bring physical colour charts and painted samples to the site visit, and we can paint small test patches on your actual wall — colours always look different under your own light than on a screen. There is no charge for this: choosing the right colour before we start is cheaper for both of us than repainting afterwards.
Architecture and design
We design apartment remodels, villa extensions, attic and basement conversions and interior reconfigurations. A good design is one that can actually be built — and approved. In Lisbon, licensing (Câmara Municipal) has its own rules for each area, from the PDM land-use plan to stricter controls in historic zones. We design with those requirements in mind from the first sketch, which means fewer revisions, faster permits and no unpleasant surprises halfway through the project.
Residential design
New homes and full-house redesigns, drawn around how you actually live. We begin with a site visit and a long conversation — morning routines, how you entertain, where light falls, where storage is missing. From there we produce concept layouts, 3D views and complete technical drawings, so you can see and approve your future home before any wall is touched. For interiors we specify kitchens, bathrooms and material palettes — tiles, stone, wood, lighting — down to practical details.
Renovation planning
Lisbon’s older buildings hide surprises — we plan for them. Renovation planning covers structural assessment, measured surveys of the existing property, and coordination with structural engineers whenever walls need to come down. The plan accounts for the unexpected, and the fixed price means the budget you approve is the budget you pay.
3D visualization
See your project before a single wall moves. Our 3D views show your redesigned spaces with realistic light, materials and furniture — walk through your future rooms on screen and request changes while they are still free to make. It removes guesswork and it is usually the most enjoyable part of the process.
Licensing support
Portuguese building permits involve real paperwork — we handle it for you. We prepare and submit the licensing documentation to the câmara municipal: architectural projects, technical descriptions and the required forms. We track the process, respond to any requests from the municipality, and keep you updated. Timelines depend on the municipality, but our experience means fewer rejections and resubmissions.
Construction and renovation
Renovations, extensions and small builds — managed properly. Construction work is mostly about organisation: a written schedule, the right trades in the right order, materials on site when needed and a site cleaned every day. That is what keeps a project on time and on budget. Most of our projects take place in homes where people continue to live, so we seal off work areas against dust, protect floors and furniture, respect condominium rules and quiet hours, and keep you informed with weekly photo updates in English or Portuguese.
Renovations
Complete apartment renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, plumbing and electrical upgrades. In older buildings we first strip back to solid structure and fix what is hidden: outdated wiring, tired pipes, damp patches. Structural openings are only made with engineer certification. Then we rebuild with solid, commonly available materials — chosen to last and to be easy to maintain, not to impress on day one and fail in year three.
Extensions and small builds
Home extensions, annexes, garage conversions and outdoor structures, from foundations to final finishes. We prepare the technical drawings, support the licensing process and sequence every trade so the work moves forward without idle weeks. Waste is disposed of according to Lisbon municipal rules, and the handover includes a joint snag-list walkthrough: we only consider the job finished when you would recommend us to a neighbour.
Kitchens and bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms where poor workmanship shows first — waterproofing, tiling falls, plumbing connections. We do them start to finish: demolition, plumbing and electrics, waterproof membranes, tiling, sanitary ware and final painting. Every wet area gets proper tanking before tiles go on, and first-fix plumbing and electrics are tested before walls close. You choose the fixtures from ranges with Portuguese warranty support; we advise honestly where spending more matters and where a solid mid-range performs identically.
Structural work
Load-bearing wall modifications with proper steel supports, foundation underpinning, and repairs to slabs and beams — always with engineer certification and documentation of what was done. Structural work is the part of a project you never see again, which is exactly why it must be done right: it matters for safety, for future sales and for insurance. We never improvise here.
Simple, from quote to handover.
Free site visit & quote
We visit, measure and assess the work, then send a detailed written quote within 48 hours — labour, materials, timeline. No obligation.
Design & plan
Final designs, materials and schedule — agreed with you in writing before anything starts.
Build & paint
Clean site, daily tidying, weekly photo updates. One person responsible throughout.
Handover
Joint walkthrough. We fix anything not right before you pay the final balance.
Good work starts with honest materials.
We specify materials upfront in the quote, so you know exactly what goes into your walls — and we never substitute without your written approval. Everything is chosen for Lisbon’s climate and for longevity.
Paints & finishes
Washable interior emulsions, breathable exterior masonry paints rated for UV and salt exposure, anti-mould bathroom formulations, and durable enamels for wood and metal.
Building materials
Certified structural timber and steel, quality aggregates and cements from established Portuguese suppliers, proper damp-proof membranes, and insulation matched to the building.
Fixtures & fittings
Kitchens and bathrooms fitted with mid-to-upper range fixtures from brands with Portuguese warranty support — taps, sanitary ware, shower systems.
Quality checks
Staged inspections on every project: prep signed off before paint, first-fix services tested before walls close, tiling checked for level and falls. If it is not right, we fix it before moving on.
Serving Greater Lisbon.
Based in Amadora, we work across the Lisbon metropolitan area. Our crews know the building types, the access challenges and the municipal requirements of each zone.
- Lisbon city
- Alvalade, Avenidas Novas, Campo de Ourique, Estrela, Graça, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, PrĂncipe Real, Santos, Alcântara, BelĂ©m, Restelo, Lumiar, Olivais, Parque das Nações
- North & west
- Amadora, Oeiras, Cascais, Sintra, Mafra, Loures, Odivelas, Vila Franca de Xira
- South bank
- Almada, Seixal, Barreiro, Moita, Montijo, Alcochete, Sesimbra, SetĂşbal
For larger projects — full villa renovations, new builds, commercial work — we travel further across Portugal.
Services FAQ.
How do I get a quote?
Call or WhatsApp +351 966 485 068, or use the contact form. We arrange a free site visit, measure and assess the work, then send a detailed written quote within 48 hours — labour, materials, timeline. No obligation, no pressure.
Is the quote really fixed?
Yes. The price we agree before starting is the price you pay, unless you request changes or we uncover genuinely hidden problems — for example rotten structure behind a wall. In that case we stop, show you the problem, agree the extra cost in writing, and only then continue. No surprise invoices, ever.
Do you handle building permits?
Yes — licensing submissions to the câmara municipal are part of our architecture and construction service. We prepare the project documentation, submit it, track the process and respond to municipal requests. Timelines depend on the municipality, but we keep you updated throughout.
Can we stay at home during the work?
For painting and lighter renovations, usually yes — we use low-odour materials, seal off work areas with dust barriers, and clean daily. For full renovations with demolition, plumbing and electrics, it is often more comfortable to move out temporarily. We will advise honestly based on your project during the site visit.
What paints and materials do you use?
Professional-grade products from established brands with Portuguese warranty support — washable interior emulsions, weather-resistant exterior paints, certified timber and steel, quality cements from Portuguese suppliers. Everything is specified in your quote before we start, and we never substitute without your written approval.
How long does a typical project take?
A single room repaint: 1–2 days. Full apartment repaint: 3–5 days. Bathroom renovation: 2–3 weeks. Kitchen renovation: 3–4 weeks. Full apartment renovation: 6–10 weeks. Every quote includes start and finish dates — and we communicate immediately if anything shifts.
Do you work in English?
Yes. Our team communicates in English and Portuguese — quotes, contracts, daily updates and the final walkthrough in whichever you prefer. Many of our clients are navigating Portuguese building processes for the first time, and we explain everything clearly.
Are you a registered company?
Yes. ARFAN SHAHZAD UNIPESSOAL LDA is a registered Portuguese single-person company, and our site work is covered by liability insurance. For structural work we involve certified engineers. You are dealing with a real, accountable business.
Can you match an existing paint colour?
Yes — we carry colour-matching tools and work with suppliers who can replicate existing shades from a sample. For partial repaints we blend carefully into surrounding areas. Bring us a flake of the old paint or a photo, and we will get as close as physically possible.
Which areas do you serve?
All of Greater Lisbon — Lisbon city, Amadora, Oeiras, Cascais, Sintra, Loures, Odivelas and the south bank (Almada, Seixal, Barreiro, Montijo, Setúbal). For larger projects we travel further across Portugal. Contact us with your location and we will confirm.
Not sure which service you need?
Describe your project — we will point you in the right direction, free.