Painting the interior of your home is a good home improvement project if you want to spruce up your home quickly and cheaply. However, before you hire a house painter, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Senior Homes. Homes built before 1979 may have been painted with lead-based paints. It would be wise to find out one way or the other before you start painting your house.
Prepare your home for painting. You want your paint job to be the best and last as long as possible. While most reputable paint companies can and will do the prep work for you, if you want to save some money, you can do it yourself.
Dirty walls need to be properly cleaned. This is especially important in the kitchen (around the stove and sink) and in the bathroom. Grease stains and soap scum will prevent paints from adhering properly. Look for any cracking or flaking. You can also patch holes in old hanging pictures. Be sure to sand the areas smooth.
Hiring your painter. A reputable painter should be able to tell you how much paint will be needed and how long the project will take. Be sure to get a contract that specifies this information. This will avoid an inflated cost at the end of the project. Be sure to ask for references from your painter. If they can’t provide any, find another painter regardless of the price of the job.
Please note additional charges from the painter. Do you charge to move furniture? What about crown molding? Be sure to get all the details in advance.
Choose a paint color. Decide on the color of your paint in advance. Keep in mind that dark colors make a room appear smaller, while light colors do the exact opposite. You can look at different paint options by purchasing a small quart version of the paint color and seeing how it turns out. Many painters offer the option to check colors online with a virtual paint program, but it doesn’t show the changes that light will cause in your room.
Choice of a finish. The last detail is the paint finish. Flat paints are great at hiding blemishes. However, the shinier the finish, the easier it will be to clean. An eggshell finish has only a slight sheen to it, so it can be a great alternative.
In the end, it’s up to you how your house will look. By taking the time to do your homework and prep work, you can ensure that your painting project will be a success.