Whether you are considering painting the interior or exterior of your home, you may well be considering doing the job yourself.
There are pros and cons for DIY painting as there are pros and cons to hiring a paint contractor.
When evaluating whether to paint your own house, consider:
The size and complexity of the job. How big is the paint job? In order to correctly paint either the interior or exterior of a house identify how much prep work is required. How much scraping needs to be done? Where must the scraping be done and how accessible is it?
These are considerations that should be evaluated by a homeowner considering painting the indoor or outdoor of their own home because of the labor-intensive nature of scraping a prepping a large paint job.
What unique tools and equipment is necessary to do the job correctly? In order to complete a DIY paint job safely, using enamel for DIY and within a reasonable amount of time certain types of equipment may be required.
Multiple extension ladders may be necessary, particularly on exterior paint jobs, including unique custom ladders that are stabilized and others that don’t damage the side of a house. Some extension ladders may be used for scaffolding, or scaffolding itself may be used, to ease the job of painting a home’s exterior.
That equipment can be readily rented and assembled by homeowners, but the rental cost and ability to correctly and safely use the equipment should be considered by homeowners evaluating whether to do their own painting. Do you need professional help in painting?
Accurately estimate the time it would take to complete the job. DIY painters looking to complete a paint job — either interior or exterior — should accurately consider how long it will take to complete the job.
The estimate should include the scraping and prepping required — typically underestimated — as well as if primer and multiple paint layers are required. Moving equipment such as ladders and scaffolding to properly paint the house should also be taken into consideration.
The time estimate is important because daylight is needed to scrape, prep and paint a home’s exterior and that the amount of time required to complete the job may be prohibitive.
Quality of paint color and the completed work. While a homeowner may have experience at painting, they may not be an experienced painter. There are techniques to ensure the paint is properly applied with a brush or sprayer to make sure the color chosen appears as desired.
Homeowners should ensure they feel comfortable that their painting technique and equipment will provide the finish they desire.
There are also extenuating circumstances about a home’s interior or exterior that may affect the type of paint chosen. Homeowners should ensure they fully understand the circumstances and surfaces they are painting, and that they are choosing the best type of paint to complete the job.
Professionals at paint and home improvement stores can help you understand the type of paint best for the job. On-site inspection by a qualified, professional painter is likely even more reliable.