10 Tips How to Prepare Your Home for a Professional Painting Job.
- JO. Painting
- Apr 10, 2020
- 5 min read
If you are getting your home tidied by a professional painting service, you will need to take appropriate steps before the painting team arrives, so they can get the job done with no hassles, and you get the best paint finish possible.
You have made the decision to hand off your home painting work to a professional, which is a considerable time and headache saver. At the same time, there are things you can do to make the job move along even more smoothly while limiting surprises.
Let's look at the things you need to get started on before the painters arrive.
1. Remove Anything Hanging on the Walls.
Take down anything hanged on the walls should be evident, right? However, it's not rare for our crew to arrive and see pictures still there.
The day before the painting staff is due to arrive, take down everything hanging on the walls that need to be painted. What includes pictures, paintings, and clocks. Talk with the team to determine if you are responsible for removing outlet covers, switch plates, and other useful items.
Store everything you took down in a part of the house not being painted, even if it must be the garage.
2. Take Down Ornaments.
Paint usually includes things besides the wall. That is the reason a professional house painter will use tarps and canvas to everything in the room beside the walls and ceiling. If you have ornaments on shelves, it is easy for them to get damaged or knocked over when the painter lays the canvas over them.
Before the painter arrives, box up everything freestanding in the room that could be damaged if a tarp is across it. Don't forget floor baskets and lamps. Take the boxes out of the room and put them in the same place you stored your wall hangings.
3. Clear the Way.
The team is going to need easy access in and out of the space is being painted. Simplify the access; especially, if you are paying by the hour, it could save you a bit of money.
Walk through your home from the point where the team will enter the house to the last area will be painted. Is there anything that would be in their way? A large piece of furniture, maybe. If possible, move the obstacles out of the way, such as your kids' toys or the dog's bed.
The professional painting companies will make sure to lay down paper or drop cloths, so the crew has a path to walk on. It will prevent scuffing and accidental transfer of paint to your floors.
4. Dust and Fumes.
To paint a room 20 or more years ago usually involved strong fumes lingering for days. Today's paint formulations, even those not labeled as low or zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), have minimal odor. At the same time, it's still a good idea to keep areas ventilated. Painting professionals are aware of this, but it doesn't hurt to remember to keep windows cracked while crews are working and even while the paint is drying.
5. Rugs, Throws, and Curtains.
Manage the same way you did before with the decorations. You need to box up and remove the curtains, throws, and rugs in the areas that are being painted. The painters will need to access the area around your windows and doors that might be blocked by curtains. Plus, you don't want your soft textiles accidentally splashed by paint particles.
While a house painter takes several precautions to prevent spatter, it can still happen. It's better to remove the curtains, rugs, and throws than have them damaged unintentionally.
Store them with the wall hangings and decorations.
6. Cabinets and closets.
If the bathroom or kitchen cabinets will be painted, unless it is specified in your scope of work, you will be expected to move all plates, pots, pans, and other items inside the cabinets. Find a place to store them, perhaps a room or area that is not being painted that day, or at all. And if closets are being painted, you'll need to empty them before the crew arrives.
7. Prepare the Walls.
There is something you need to consider before searching for "painters near me" is the condition of the walls. It's vital to replace rotten wood in trims or doors. You need to fix water leaks and repair the drywall or plaster damage caused by the leaks. You need to address any insect or pest infestation that might damage the painted surface. If the painters are dealing with metal surfaces, clean off any rust.
The painters should be the last contractor to work on a damaged part of your walls. Otherwise, their hard work could be compromised or obliterated by the next team service.
Your painter may request that you clean the walls a few days before the painting squad's arrival. Take this step ensures there is a good and dry surface for the paint to adhere to. Some painters offer to clean the walls for an additional fee.
8. Clean up the Room.
When hiring professional painting services, you want to ensure you get the best job possible. Dust and dirt can easily get knocked up into the room's airflow and settle on newly painted surfaces. That turns your bright new paint job into an unpleasant view.
The day before the painting is supposed to start, clean up the room thoroughly. Vacuum the walls, ceiling, floor, and polish any furniture being left in the place during painting. Once you have cleaned the room, try to prevent anyone from entering the space.
Then, for 24 hours after the painting is done, try not to track any dirt or debris into the room until the paint dries thoroughly.
9. Vacate the Premises.
You, your children, and your pets need to be out of the area when the painters are working. Set up an area of the house for the kids to play and the pets to stay. If you don't have enough space, consider letting a friend or relative to take the kids and the pets for the day.
Remember, you are paying for a professional service to paint your home. If they can remain focused on the job, it will get done faster with a great result. If they are constantly distracted, it will take them longer to finish and could result in a poorly effect.
10. Ask in Advance.
All the above will be needed no matter what type of painting job you get done. However, every project is unique. When you hire professional painting services, ask them what kind of preparations you need to make. They might have specific needs in your home that are not common in others.
Asking in advance will ensure you are ready for the troop at the moment they arrive.
Other considerations.
Take into consideration distinctive factors that can help you get the most out of your professional painting experience, such as to designate a specific restroom for the crew use, and don't forget to remove towels and personal items.
If you need residential or commercial professional painting services for interior or exterior, schedule a free on-site visit, click on the right corner button to chat, or give us a call on 617.217.1978. We are proud to serve our neighbors and friends in the Greater Boston, MA. Our dedicated team of painting professionals is standing ready to help you with all your painting needs.