Hire a Painter or DIY?

A professional painter can transform the inside or outside of a house with a new coat of color. Pros know all the tricks, have their own tools, scaffolding, ladders, drop cloths, brushes, tape and more. They will clean up their mess and not slop paint on your furniture or shrubbery. For many homeowners, this is a luxurious way to change the look of their interior or exterior. Because it looks so elegant, it’s also an investment in one’s property. But if a person is on an extremely strict budget, hiring a professional may not be an option. Doing this job by oneself is a way to save decorating dollars. If a person decides to go for it on their own, here are some things to think about:

- Pick the right color: Have you looked at all the paint samples at the local home improvement store? There are zillions of choices and variations. Choosing the right shade will make a huge difference in the way rooms or exterior siding will look. It’s wise to take home lots of samples and compare them to furnishings and other décor. Looking at them in different light will provide clues to the proper selection. Even if hiring a pro, this step is crucial.

- Try out a small can: Purchasing a small can of the chosen shade will allow for trial before the whole room gets painted. If the decision is hard to make because a few options seem possible, paint a square of each option on a wall and live with them for a few days. Better to do this now because chances are the color that ends up on all the walls will be staying there.

- Paintbrushes: It’s wise to use a high quality paintbrush. This is not a place to cut corners. Purchasing a shoddy brush will make the end result unattractive and may even cause strands and fibers to end up dried into the surface. The type of paint will dictate the type of brush, too. Oil based products require China bristles. For latex and acrylics, nylon or polyester bristles work best.
- Prepare the walls: Clean, scrub, scrape, sand and dry the wall that is to be painted. Without proper preparation, the freshly applied color may flake off or bubble. After all that work, peeling or chipped surfaces would end up being a big waste of time and product. Preparation is important!

- If you decide to go for the pros: If you choose the pros after reading about all the work that painting and prep will entail, be sure to get estimates from three companies or individuals. Licensed contractors are the best bet. Ask for references and try to arrange a visit a few of the places that they painted a few years ago. This is a good way to see how their job lasted over time.
Changing the tired color of the walls inside a home or on the exterior surfaces can transform a dwelling. It’s one of the most dramatic changes a homeowner can perform for relatively little expense. Whether a person does it by themselves or hires a painter, they will be glad they did.