Tips to Prep Your Home For a Professional Painter

So you’ve decided to hand off your home interior painting work to a professional, which will save you time and headaches. At the same time, there are several things you can complete to make the job move along smoothly, while limiting unexpected surprises. complete these small tasks when you prep for a painting crew working in your home.

1. Moving your furniture

Painting professionals do not want to disturb your daily routine. However, when doing work that likely involves moving furniture around, and disruptions are bound to happen. That’s why it’s important to address where furniture should be moved before the painting begins.

We recommend that the homeowner moves the furniture to the middle of the room and sets all the wall hangings, window blinds and knick-knacks on top of the furniture. For homeowners who are not capable of their own furniture, most painting companies can assist for a small extra charge.

2. Wall hangings, cords

If a picture or piece of wall art will remain in its current location, leave the hardware in place, so you don’t need to rehang it. At the same time, unplug electronics and mark cords or notify painting crews about those electronics that need to remain plugged in.

3. Asking about masking

Contractors should take special care to cover all floors. It’s also a good idea to make sure floors are as clear as possible to make it easy for workers to tape off and mask floors and other items. You may want to ask about how much or little a team masks. Ideally, you want a painter who uses more plastic covering than seems to be needed.

If spraying is being done inside (ceilings, closets, doors) the homeowner should expect some paint dust to settle which is why we plastic plastic on most everything. The homeowner may feel like they are living in a bubble during the painting process but we assure you, it’s best to over-mask; this makes the cleanup much easier.

4. Cabinets & closets

If bathroom or kitchen cabinets are being painted, unless it is specified, 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 prior to the painters arrival.

5. Dust & fumes

Painting a room years ago usually involved strong fumes lingering for days. Today’s paint, 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 paint is drying.

6. Other considerations

Here are several other considerations that can help you get the most out of your professional painting experience:

1-Designate a specific restroom for crew use

2-Make arrangements for keeping pets out of the work area

3-In bathrooms, don’t forget to remove towels and personal items

4-Remove window treatments, if possible

5-Plan for a crowd. Painting crews typically consist of two to three people. You may consider planning some time away, like running errands, while work is being done.

6-Wipe down walls. Painting over dust and debris compromises quality. A good crew will wipe down walls, but not all of them do. Whether you or the crew do it, making sure the task is accomplished before the job starts helps you enjoy a longer-lasting paint job.

Please Contact Cornerstone Custom Painting if you have any questions or would like a FREE Estimate.