by michael daigle · 9 Jan 2024
Table of Contents
Hey there, weekend warrior. Feeling handy with a paintbrush and considering taking on that spare bedroom or living room as your next DIY project? While slapping on a fresh coat of paint seems straightforward enough, there are times when calling in the pros is well worth the investment. Before you break out the drop cloths and rollers, consider whether you’ve got the skills, time, and patience to pull off a professional-looking paint job. If visions of uneven coats, drips, and paint in all the wrong places are already giving you anxiety, hiring an expert crew may help you avoid a DIY disaster and ensure you end up with results that make you proud. Read on to determine if this is a job for the pros or if you’ve got the chops to fly solo.
Painting Your Home Yourself - The Pros of DIY
Painting your home yourself can save you a bundle of money. Why pay pros for something you can do yourself? DIY painting has some definite benefits:
You'll save thousands. Professional painters charge between $25 to $50 per hour per painter. For an average sized home, you're looking at $5,000-$10,000 total. Doing it yourself cuts that cost down to just the price of supplies.
You can work at your own pace. There's no need to rush to finish before the painters arrive. Take your time and paint when you want, for as long as you want.
It's a chance to be creative. You can choose any colors or techniques you like without worrying about the additional costs of a pro's time. Get creative with stencils, textures or patterns!
However, DIY painting also has some downsides to consider:
It's time-consuming. Prepping, painting and cleaning up can take weeks or even months of work for beginners. Do you have enough free time to commit to such a big project?
The results may be amateurish. If you're not highly skilled at painting, the final look may appear uneven, messy or just plain unprofessional.
Health hazards. Painting requires working with toxic chemicals that can irritate your eyes, skin and respiratory system if proper safety gear isn't used.
Damage control. Inexperienced painters are more prone to drips, splatters and brush marks on floors, trim, windows and furniture. Extra care must be taken to avoid damage.
So weigh all these factors carefully before deciding to paint your place yourself. For many homeowners, calling in the pros is worth the investment to get quality results without the hassle. But for the ambitious DIYer, tackling your own painting project can be highly rewarding. The choice is yours!
Know Your Limits - Projects Better Left to the Pros
So you've decided to tackle painting your living room yourself to save some cash. Great idea in theory, but some DIY painting projects are better left to the professionals. Here are a few signs it's time to call in the experts.
Know Your Limits
Not all living rooms are created equal. If you have high ceilings, awkward spaces, or trimwork and built-ins to paint around, a pro will have the proper equipment and experience to handle it. They can also ensure an even coat in hard to reach areas.
Do you have the patience for the prep work? Professionals know that proper preparation is 90% of a good paint job. They will fill any cracks or holes, sand rough surfaces, clean the walls, and apply a primer for the best results. For DIYers, this tedious work can seem endless and frustrating.
How's your cutting-in skill? Cutting in around windows, doors, and trim requires a steady hand and lots of practice. The pros make it look easy, with clean, crisp lines. As an amateur, you'll likely end up with uneven edges and drips.
Not all paints are DIY-friendly. Some specialty or commercial paints require professional application to adhere properly. If you choose one of these for your living room, you may end up with a subpar finish and wasted time and money.
At the end of the day, a professional paint job will provide high quality results and potentially higher resale value. For some living rooms, your sanity and the final outcome are worth the investment in an expert. Know when to put the brush down and call in the pros!
Prep Work - What You Can Do to Get Ready
Before the pros come in, there are a few things you can do to prepare. Their time is valuable, so completing these tasks yourself will save money and ensure an efficient job.
Clean the space
Give the room a deep clean by wiping down walls and trim, sweeping floors, and cleaning windows. Move furniture away from the walls and cover large pieces with drop cloths. Cleaning before painting means the pros can start work right away without having to clean or move anything themselves.
Patch and repair
Fill in any cracks, holes, or imperfections in the walls and ceilings. Use spackle, drywall compound, or wood filler and sand smooth when dry. Repair or replace any damaged trim or molding. Fixing issues now will provide a smooth surface for painting and avoid the need for touch-ups later.
Remove outlet covers and switch plates
Take off all electrical outlet and switch plate covers. Place tape over the outlets and switches to keep paint out. Removing these items allows painters to get complete coverage and a professional-looking finish. Be sure to label plates so you know which ones go where for reinstallation.
Move furniture and art away from walls
Push all furniture, art, and accessories a few feet away from the walls. Cover large pieces like couches, tables, and cabinets with drop cloths to protect from drips and splatter. Moving items away from the walls gives the pros ample space to work and ensures full coverage and an even finish.
Provide supplies
Have on hand extras like paint trays, brushes, rollers, painter's tape, drop cloths, trash bags, and cleaning supplies. While professionals will bring their own gear, having back-ups available means no downtime if something is forgotten or runs out. Offer to help load and unload supplies to make the job quicker and easier for everyone.
Completing these steps before the painting crew arrives will set the stage for an efficient, professional job. With the prep work done, the experts can focus on what they do best—transforming your space with a flawless new coat of paint.
Hiring a Professional Painter - The Benefits
Hiring a professional painter has significant benefits over attempting a DIY paint job.
Experience and expertise
Professional painters have years of experience painting all types of homes and surfaces. They are trained in the proper techniques for preparing surfaces, applying primers and paint, and achieving a high-quality finish. Their expertise allows them to do the job efficiently and effectively. As an amateur, you’re more prone to mistakes that can ruin the final look.
Proper preparation
Preparing the surfaces properly is key to a successful paint job. Professionals know how to clean, patch, sand, and prime different materials to ensure the new paint adheres well. They have the necessary tools and equipment to do this work thoroughly. Without proper prep, new paint won’t last as long and won’t look as good.
Quality results
A professional paint crew aims to achieve high-quality results that will satisfy their customer. They use high-quality paints and pay close attention to details like cutting in edges and trim, avoiding drips and brush marks, and providing an even coat of paint. They can also perform specialized techniques like stenciling, color washing, and rag rolling. As a DIYer, you may struggle to get professional-looking results, especially for the first time.
Efficiency
Professional painters work efficiently to get the job done quickly while still maintaining quality. They have optimized processes for moving furniture, taping off adjacent areas, applying primer and paint, and cleaning up after the job. They also have the proper equipment which helps speed up the work. A DIY paint job often takes much longer and requires more effort.
Warranty and guarantees
Reputable professional painters will provide a warranty or guarantee for their work for a certain period of time. This ensures any issues like peeling, cracking or fading paint will be fixed at no additional cost. When you paint yourself, you have no such guarantees and will need to spend more time and money to remedy any problems.
In summary, for most homeowners the benefits of hiring a professional painter far outweigh the potential cost savings of a DIY paint job. Professional results, efficiency, expertise and guarantees provide good value and peace of mind.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Pro
Once you’ve decided to hire a professional painter, you’ll want to make sure you find the right pro for the job. Ask these important questions before signing a contract:
Are you licensed and insured?
A licensed and insured painter is a must. This protects you in case of accidents or damage. Ask for their license number and insurance details.
How long have you been in business?
An established company with several years of experience will likely do higher quality work. They’ll also have a proven track record you can check.
Do you offer a warranty?
Reputable painters will stand behind their work with a warranty. Find out the details of the warranty, including how long it lasts and what it covers.
Can I see photos of your work?
Ask to see photos of recently completed jobs similar to yours. This allows you to judge the quality and style of their work to make sure it’s what you want.
Who will be doing the work?
Find out if the owner oversees all jobs or if crews work independently. Meet the crew chief or lead painter and see their credentials. Know who will actually be in your home and make sure you feel comfortable with them.
What’s your availability?
Discuss the painter’s schedule and availability to start and complete your project. Make sure they have the proper time to do a quality job without cutting corners. Get an estimated start and end date in writing.
Do you offer a free estimate?
Most painters will provide a free written estimate detailing the work, timeline, and total cost. Get at least 3 estimates from different pros so you can compare. Make sure all bids are based on the same scope of work.
Asking the right questions upfront will help ensure you find a highly qualified painting pro to get the job done right. Do your due diligence and you’ll end up with results that make you glad you didn’t go the DIY route!
Estimating the Cost of a Professional Paint Job
When it comes to a major home improvement project like painting, determining whether to DIY or hire professionals largely comes down to estimating the total cost. While DIY painting may seem like an easy way to save money upfront, professional painters have the skills, tools, and experience to complete the job thoroughly and efficiently.
Cost of Supplies
If you opt to paint yourself, you’ll need to budget for high-quality paint, primer, brushes, rollers, trays, drop cloths, tape, and other supplies which can cost $200-$500 or more for an average sized room. Professionals already have these supplies and will include them in their bid.
Time Required
Painting yourself requires a major time commitment to do the prep work, apply coats, and clean up. It can take 20-40 hours or more for an amateur to paint a few rooms. Professionals have the skills to complete the same job in a fraction of the time, allowing you to avoid taking time off work or giving up your weekends.
Quality of Work
While a DIY paint job may look decent from a distance, professional painters have the training and experience to achieve a flawless, polished finish. They know the proper techniques for achieving even coverage in corners and edges, minimizing drips and brushstrokes, and matching existing paint sheens. Professionals also have the skills to repair any underlying issues like cracks, dents or water damage before painting.
Value over Time
A professional paint job will last significantly longer, up to 10-15 years, whereas a DIY paint job may start to show signs of wear or imperfections within 3-5 years. When factoring in the cost to re-paint, professional painting is often the more budget-friendly option in the long run.
In the end, for most homeowners the additional cost of hiring a professional painter is well worth the investment for a job done right the first time with results that stand the test of time. Unless you have experience painting and a lot of free time, it’s best to leave this task to the experts.
Signs It's Time to Call in a Professional Painter
DIY painting projects can be rewarding, but they also require a major time commitment and can easily become frustrating if you’re not experienced. When is it better to call in the professionals? Here are some signs it’s time to hire an expert house painter.
You have a large house or space to paint
Painting an entire house or large space like a warehouse interior is a massive undertaking. Professionals have the proper equipment, crew, and experience to complete a big job efficiently. They can also handle challenges like high ceilings, staircases, and trim work with ease.
You need special techniques or effects
If you want decorative finishes like color washing, stenciling, or faux finishes, it’s best left to the pros. They have the artistic skill and knowledge of materials to make special painting techniques look professional.
Time is limited
DIY painting always takes longer than expected. Professionals have an efficient system and the right tools to complete a painting job in a timely manner. If you need a space painted quickly before a move-in or event, hiring pros will ensure it’s done on schedule.
Safety concerns
Some painting projects like exterior painting, spray painting, or painting in hazardous areas like warehouses require proper safety equipment, ventilation, and training. It’s not worth the risk of injury or inhaling toxic fumes to DIY. Professionals have the proper certifications and safety equipment to handle any painting job.
You want a flawless finish
While DIY painting can look good from a distance, professional painters have the skills to achieve a flawless, polished finish. Their work will have clean lines, even coverage, and a smooth texture. They are also experts in preparing surfaces, priming when needed, and properly applying multiple coats of paint for the best results.
If any of these signs resonate with you, it’s probably worth the investment to hire professional painters. They have the experience, tools, crew, and skills to handle any painting project and deliver stunning results. Your DIY time and frustration will be much better spent on other areas of your home improvement project or enjoying your newly painted space!
Finding the Right Painting Contractor for You
When it comes to painting your home, some jobs are better left to the pros. While DIY painting can save you money, professional painters have the skills, tools, and experience to handle complicated projects and ensure high quality results.
Tight Spaces
Painting tight spaces like trim, ceilings, and corners requires precision that most DIYers struggle with. Professionals have specialized tools and techniques to paint evenly in cramped areas. They can also navigate obstacles like lighting fixtures, plumbing, and cabinets with ease.
Large Scale Jobs
For big painting projects like the interior or exterior of your entire home, hiring pros is worthwhile. They have the manpower and equipment to complete the work efficiently. Professionals can also help with necessary prep work like patching holes, sanding, and priming before painting.
Specialty Finishes
If you want a specialty finish like stenciling, distressing, sponging or ragging, professional painters have the skills to produce custom effects. They also have experience with faux finishes, stains, and other decorative techniques that require practice to master.
Safety
There are hazards involved with painting like falling from ladders, eye and skin exposure to chemicals, and inhalation of fumes. Professional painters follow proper safety procedures and have the necessary protective gear to avoid injury. They also know how to properly ventilate and contain odors when painting indoors.
Finding a reputable contractor you trust is important for a successful professional painting project. Get recommendations from family and friends, check their reviews online, and make sure they are properly licensed and insured. Meet with candidates to discuss the job in detail, get an estimate in writing, and check their references before making a final decision. While DIY painting can be rewarding, for many projects, hiring a pro is the best approach. They have the expertise and experience to handle the job efficiently, safely and professionally so you can enjoy the finished results.
DIY vs Professional Painting FAQs - Getting Your Top Questions Answered
When it comes to painting, some jobs are better left to the professionals. While DIY painting can save money, professional painters have the skills, tools, and experience to get the job done right. Here are some questions to consider when deciding between DIY or calling in the experts.
Do you have the time?
Painting yourself requires a major time commitment. Professionals can get the job done in a fraction of the time. If you have limited time off work or a busy schedule, hiring painters may be your best option.
Do you have the necessary skills?
Professional painters have years of experience and training. They know the proper techniques for preparing and painting different surfaces. If you’re not highly skilled at painting, you may end up with visible brushstrokes, uneven coats, or paint splatters on floors and trim.
Can you reach high areas?
Painting ceilings, trim, and the upper parts of walls often requires ladders, scaffolding or lifts. If you’re not comfortable working on ladders or in high places, it’s best to hire professional painters. They have the proper equipment and experience to handle painting in hard to reach areas.
Do you need special equipment or tools?
Professional painters invest in high-quality tools and equipment designed specifically for painting different types of surfaces. They have everything from paint sprayers to extension poles for painting trim. Unless you plan to paint regularly, it usually doesn’t make sense to invest in expensive painting equipment for a single DIY project.
Do you need wallpaper removal or drywall repair?
Removing wallpaper or repairing damaged drywall requires special skills and tools. Professional painters can properly prepare the walls by removing wallpaper, patching holes, sanding, and priming before painting. It’s best to hire a pro if you need extensive wall repairs or wallpaper removal.
In the end, for complex, time-consuming jobs or those requiring special skills, hiring a professional painter is often worth the investment. But for small projects, or if you're on a tight budget, doing it yourself can still yield great results. The choice is yours!
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, the pros and cons of tackling a painting project yourself versus calling in the professionals. As with most things in life, there's no definitive right or wrong answer here - it comes down to your skills, time constraints, budget, and how much of a perfectionist you are. If climbing up and down ladders, prepping surfaces, and cutting in edges with a brush sounds like your idea of a fun weekend, then by all means grab a paintbrush and go to town. But if you want a flawless finish without lifting a finger, hiring an experienced painting crew is probably your best bet. At the end of the day, you have to weigh all the factors and go with what will give you the results you want without too much stress or hassle. The most important thing is that you end up with walls you love looking at!