Painting your home, office, or commercial property is a big deal. There are several options to weigh, plenty of decisions to be made, and a whole lot of space to cover – not to mention expense. Before beginning any home painting job, it is important to consider your personal goals. Are you looking to give your house an entirely new look, with revamped colors and style, or are you simply hoping to freshen up some older coats that have begun to crack, fade, and otherwise show their age? Are you focused solely on your home’s exterior, or does your renovation plan include interior walls? Do you know what type of paint to use, and have you decided on your colors? Do you have the right equipment? Do you even know what the right equipment is?
If these questions begin to make you feel just a little bit overwhelmed, you shouldn’t be worried or surprised. Painting a house is a big job, and it isn’t easy. For this reason alone, many people and families choose to hire a painting company or private contractor to do the work, saving money and time by bringing in professionals, who in turn will ensure that a quality job that is done right and on time.
House painters and decorators are trade professionals who specialize in painting buildings, both for beautification and maintenance purposes. While many people might consider the primary function of home painting to be an aesthetic one, external and internal surface paint is not just pretty, but also a strong defense against rust, mold, water, and even insects, making a quality paint job that much more important. Any professional painter will handle the entire process, from paint mixing and surface preparation to application and any necessary clean-up. Most contractors can also provide design work and “faux painting” treatments for those seeking more decorative looks. Many companies will handle interior and exterior painting services, as well as caulk work and basic drywall repair. A good painter should present you a plan of work; detailing what and when things will be done, as well as communicate with you throughout the process, answering any questions that may arise.
Should you choose to tackle a project on your own, it is necessary to be properly equipped in order to do a complete job. An important – and often overlooked – step of painting is the thorough preparation of whatever surface you intend to paint. For exterior walls, a pressure washer cleaning is generally needed for a full treatment. After washing, any surface – interior or exterior – then needs to be scraped, patched, and sanded where necessary. Drop cloths, masking covers, and caulking guns should all be used to protect unintended areas from stray paint and damage. For the actual application, brushes, rollers, and/or sprayers may be appropriate, depending on the surface and area. Sponges and stencils can also be used for interior texturing and detail. It is likely that you will need a ladder of some size as well – and then don’t forget about the paint!
With all that goes into painting a house, it is not a surprise that most homeowners choose to have a contracted painter do the whole job for them, improving on both efficiency and quality, while saving money on paint and supplies. And while these perks are all nice, the greatest benefit of a professional job is the time and stress takes off of you and all the other things going on in your life.