Painting your house is a big deal. Most people are unaware of how to go about the whole process or what to do before painting. This checklist will give you the know-how of a seasoned pro painter.
Step 1: Choose your Color Scheme
If you’re choosing a different color-scheme from your current house colors, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. Easier said than done right? It is very important to feel comfortable with the colors you’re choosing. After all, it could easily be another 8-12 years before you get another chance to paint again. We seriously recommend getting color test patches for ALL the colors you’re considering. Leave the test-patches up for a week or two to see which colors you’re still comfortable with after a period of time. The last thing you want is a rushed color decision followed by 10 years of house color regret.
Step 2: HOA Approval
Now that you have chosen you’re house colors, you must submit them to the neighborhood HOA for review. Some neighborhoods do not have covenants or HOA’s. If this is the case, move onto step 3. If you DO have to submit colors for review, it is always better to submit them sooner rather than later. Some HOA’s take months to review and approve you’re colors. Some HOA’s require you to paint test-patches of the proposed color on your home so an HOA member can drive by and approve the colors. Your HOA or Covenant usually has a form in their office or on their website that you can fill out proposing the colors you want.
Step 3: Get Multiple Painting Quotes
It sounds like an old cliche’; “Always get 3 estimates”, but it couldn’t be more right. Getting multiple quotes will not only get you a much better price through competition, but you’ll learn what each company does differently to cater to your needs. Also, let the competing painting companies KNOW that you’re getting multiple estimates. The pricing will drop once they know other painters are fighting for the job.
Step 4: Clear the Way!
After you have chosen and scheduled a painter, make a clear path for your painter around your home. This includes: removing patio furniture, clearing your siding of any decorations or obstructions, keeping pets away from the work area, moving all cars out of the driveway and away from the home. Basically move anything away from the home that is in the way of what’s going to be painted. Not only will your painter seriously appreciate it, but you’ll eliminate any unnecessary obstruction problems.
Step 5: House Preparation Audit
Unfortunately, many painting companies will cut corners on the most important aspect of a paint job: The Prep-Work. It is highly recommended that you get all the prep-work to be done in writing and guaranteed on your project agreement. It is almost impossible to inspect the level of prep-work AFTER it’s been painted over. This is why it’s extremely important to do a prep audit before the painters apply the paint. Simply ask the painters if you can see the prep-work they’ve done before they start painting. If they do great prep-work, they’ll be happy to show you their work. Not only will this emphasize your need for good prep-work, but it will also keep shabby prep-work from being covered up by paint. Ask for a prep audit!
If you take care of these important steps before painting your house, the whole process will be exponentially easier for you and your painter. All of the painters listed on Painter Choice take these necessary precautions. Thanks for reading and happy painting!