Painter Akkrum: living on the Boarn

Akkrum lies on the Boarn, with the Pikmeer and the Sneekermeer within sailing distance and marinas in and around the village. Since 2014 it has been part of the municipality of Heerenveen, but in character it is a watersports village. Many people live here with the boat at the door.

For a painter that mainly means this: the nicest side of the house is often the back, and that is usually the hardest to reach too. That is where the conversation starts for us.

The building style differs from place to place too. In the old village there are homes of all ages, and along the water also newer houses with a lot of timber and glass. Each type needs its own approach, and we look at that on site.

A rear facade on the water takes more moisture than the street side. Wood dries more slowly, sliding doors and garden doors get a lot of use and the lower edge stands close to wet grass or the bank. If the sun hits it fully, the wood moves even more.

On the page about painting by the water you can read how we deal with this. In short: first tackle the cause of the damp, close the joints, and only then paint.

Want to check for yourself how it stands? Walk along the waterside in spring and look at the bottom row of boards, the lower thresholds and the seams around the glazed wall. If there is a black edge or the wood feels soft, have it looked at before the season starts.

A boathouse or an extension with timber boards needs a different approach from an ordinary frame. Boards expand and shrink, and lower edges soak up water. On cladding we check whether the boards are secure, whether the seams are open and whether the bottom row is still hard.

In our blue facade in high gloss you can see how weathered boards look again after repair and a good finish.

On the waterfront, scaffolding doesn't stand well everywhere. Soft ground, a bank protection or a narrow strip between facade and water call for their own solution. Sometimes a low set-up works, sometimes a cherry picker from the street is handier.

Because the scaffolding is our own, we are flexible and you pay a fixed price for putting it up and taking it down. At the site visit we look together at how we reach each side of the house without damaging your garden or decking.

If there is a boat at your door, we agree when it can move for a while. If that is difficult in the middle of the season, we choose another moment.

Take photos of the water side and the street side, even if you have to take them from the decking or from the boat. Add whether a boathouse or canopy should be included, and how wide the strip beside the house is. Also mention the year of construction and when it was last painted.

During the site visit we look at the surface, discuss the colours and agree the work. We also agree when you would rather not have the water blocked.

Access on the waterside, the condition of the cladding and the amount of repair make the biggest difference. A national market indication is exterior painting from €35 per m2 and wood rot from €50 per spot. Replacing fascia boards starts from €55 per running metre.

Those are indications and not MJA prices. With us you only get a price after the site visit, and that price then stays fixed. On the page what exterior painting costs there is more explanation.

MJA Allround Bouw is based in Mirns and works throughout Friesland. We are a member of OnderhoudNL and a recognised training company, and we hold a 4.8 on Google from 25 reviews. Customers often say we give honest advice and think along well on colours.

Do you live in Akkrum and want to know what your waterside home needs? Send your photos via the quote request or call Mohamed on 06 3006 0558. At handover we walk through everything together, the water side included.