With the weather getting warmer, you may be thinking of exterior painting. Keeping up with the maintenance of the exterior of your home is critical. The first step in exterior painting is researching and hiring a professional painter. After finding a trustworthy company, preparing the exterior space for your painter is important. There are many things you can do before your painter arrives to save money. The more tasks the painting company has to do, the more it will cost you.
Ensuring Safety in Older Homes
If your home was built before 1978, a good start is to get a lead paint test performed by an agency approved through the EPA. While there are many lead paint tests you can buy and do yourself, it is very difficult to test accurately. Many painters will also offer this DIY test but to ensure accurate results, it should be performed by an EPA-approved contractor.
Choosing the Perfect
Color selection is your next step in preparing the exterior space for your painter. If you have an HOA, they typically dictate what colors can be used so check with them first. Once you have an idea of some color choices, head to the nearest big box or paint store and collect paint chips. You’ll want to get several in different shades and colors to hold up next to your home. What you think you might like doesn’t always turn out to be the winner!
After narrowing down your color choices to a few, you’ll want to get sample-size cans of paint and paint actual swatches on your home. Paint these swatches on different sides of your house because they will look different depending on the lighting. Make sure to observe these swatches at different times of day, again the lighting changes what the color looks like in different light. After you’ve made your final selection and gotten HOA approval, you’re set to go!
Choosing the Right Painter
If you’ve selected a quality painter, they should have gone over the entire process with you. You should be clear on what steps to take in preparing the exterior space for your painter. However, every situation is a little bit different and sometimes it requires more conversation. Make sure to discuss all your questions with the painter before the work begins.
Ideally, the estimator has answered most questions during the estimate phase when they’re at your home. You want to ensure you know what the painter’s prep work entails. Further, you want to know what you’re expected to do in preparing the exterior space for your painter before their arrival. Some important information to know is what will they cover with tarps, what you should move beforehand, and how long the project should take.
Let your Neighbors Know
Another great tip is to talk to your neighbors and let them know when your project is scheduled. If the painter will need access through the neighbor’s property to paint your home, it will be important for you to get that approval from your neighbor ahead of time.
The painting process, including the preparation phase, can cause debris to fall into the yard. When preparing the exterior space for your painter, it’s important to think about your pets and children. The best plan, if possible, is to have the pets and/or children stay with a family member or friend during painting hours. An injury can occur from chewing on debris, running under ladders, or getting into the paint. Best to avoid any possibility of accidents and have kids and pets stay with a friend while the painters are working.
Ask Questions
At the estimate, talk to the estimator about where you’d like the crew to clean their brushes and stack their ladders. Painters need to rinse their brushes and equipment each night, so it’s best to show them where you’d prefer that to take place. The estimate phase is also the best time to point out any rotted or damaged boards to the estimator. Some professional painters can replace these boards before painting. However, they will need to know about them before coming to paint so they can be bid on the job and also to avoid delays later.
Trim Landscape for Siding and Trim Safety
Landscaping can cause damage to the siding and trim on homes. However, while preparing the exterior space for your painter, trimming bushes, shrubs, and tree limbs is a must! There should be a 2-3 ft space between the home and bushes/limbs for prevention of damage or bug infestations. If painters can’t reach the siding to paint, you may have issues. Either the job will be delayed (at an extra cost to you), or they will cut the branches themselves. It is in your best interest to trim the landscaping yourself. Painters are not landscapers and you probably won’t be happy with their trimming!
Checking for Wasp Nests
There are some other key tasks often overlooked when preparing the exterior space for your painter. One is inspecting the eaves for wasp nests. The other is relocating grills and patio furniture away from the house. Both can save you money if done before the painter arrives. Further, moving your patio furniture will ensure it doesn’t get accidental drops of paint splattered on it.
Final Preparations: Vehicle Relocation and Last-Minute Checks on Painting Day
The last steps in preparing the exterior space for your painter happens on the day they begin. You’ll want to move your vehicles out of the driveway and across the street. Additionally, make sure all windows are completely closed before power washing, and show the painters where their access is to water and power.
Hopefully, we’ve given you some steps to take when preparing the exterior space for your painter that will save you some money. Every little bit helps, and the items on this list can add up.
