August 30, 2019

Painting House Exterior: Hire a Professional vs DIY?

Are you planning on painting the exterior of your house? There are a few things to consider before deciding between hiring professionals or doing the job yourself. Doing it yourself may save you money. But hiring a pro for this time-consuming paint job may be a better investment.

Genesis Pro Painting has put together a list of questions to ask yourself before embarking on such a major project.

How intricate is your house exterior?

When considering painting the house without the help of professional painters, look at the structure of your home. Does your house have many unique architectural elements or odd lines? Does your house have multiple colors? Is your trim of a different material? Are there surfaces that might require specialized paint? For more complicated jobs, consider hiring a professional painter who is skilled at painting intricate surfaces.

Do you have the proper skills and safety equipment?

It is always important to consider the level of safety that you can ensure when doing work in your house. If you have an older home, the paint on the exterior may contain harmful lead. You will need specific materials and skills to remove lead paint. While sanding, you’ll want to avoid ingesting paint flakes. Finally, you’ll need to properly dispose of the removed paint. If your home has multiple stories, you may need to use tall ladders. Are you comfortable climbing onto the roof in order to paint high surfaces? You may need to rent specialized equipment such as sanders or paint sprayers. You will certainly need to invest in quality paint, paintbrushes, and drop cloths. Painting your home’s exterior requires that you understand the difference between exterior and interior paint. Prep work includes not only getting smooth surfaces but also gaining knowledge about materials and proper color combination.

Is it worth the cost?

The cost of the materials and tools that you will need before painting the house can be expensive. If you are an experienced painter, you may already have all the materials needed to clean, repair, and paint the house. Are you new to painting? Be advised that it may take a lot more time and energy than imagined. In addition, buying or renting tools such as ladders, tarps, metal brushes and other paint removal tools may be expensive. Add the amount of time and effort that the job will take to the materials that you will have to acquire. Compare that total to the package of having a professional team do the work for you at a set rate.

Is your house in good shape?

Before painting the house, it is essential to prepare the surfaces you plan on painting. Take care to recognize dangerous leaks or areas damaged by water. Will you need a pressure washer to remove dirt and grime? You may run the risk of painting over damages if you are unfamiliar with home improvement work. Are you equipped to perform these repairs on your own? Allow a professional to assess your home’s condition before painting.

Are you considering painting the exterior of your house? If you are going to do-it-yourself, make sure that your paint job looks polished and thorough. A bad outcome is to invest time in a DIY project and come out with a worse-looking home. You will then have to hire painting contractors to do remedial work before completing the original work needed. Remember, painting your home’s exterior is about increasing your curb appeal. Other benefits include repairing damage such as mold and mildew, removing dirt and grime, and possibly increasing your home’s energy efficiency. You want a professional painting job done on time and on budget? Call us today at 1-800-PAINTING or visit our website for a free online estimate!

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