Painting the outside of a house is a challenging job for many homeowners, but it can really change the curb appeal of a home. Instead of calling a painting contractor, many opt to make it a do-it-yourself job.
Before you do, it is important to understand the potential difficulties you may experience so you can really make an informed decision. You may find that, while probably costlier, hiring someone to do the work will save you a lot of time and energy.
Where to Begin
Where your home is, and what your home is made of, can affect how much freedom you have in choosing the color of your home. It may seem clear to some, but taking into consideration what surface you will be painting on is vital.
Different types of siding, and whether your home has brick, stone, metal, vinyl, or other materials, can really affect what goes into the prep work. There is a wide variety of types of paint and believe it or not, not just any paint can be used on any surface. Be sure to check with your hardware store of choice. Using a painting contractor is another way to ensure that you do not waste money on unusable paint.
Doing proper preparation for the surfaces will determine how well done the paint job will look at the end. Power washing, sanding, scraping off old paint, and repairs will all be part of the beginning process.
In a community with a Homeowner’s Association, it is an important step to check with their rules. Some communities have strict guidelines to create more unified homes (or prevent some wacky colors that can threaten neighboring home values).
Tools You Need
Painting an exterior of the home is a multi-step process that requires a lot of tools that are not always found lying around the home. A large ladder is necessary, depending on how tall your home is. For most homes, cleaning instruments and a putty knife or some other instrument to remove blemishes and old paint are necessary.
For the painting itself, you could feasibly do the whole job with paint brushes and rollers. However, this can take an incredibly long time. Professionals use paint sprayers, which can create an even layer of paint without spending days to get there. A paint sprayer can cost hundreds of dollars, so if you are looking for an affordable way to paint the home exterior, it is probably best to just stick with rollers and brushes.
Getting Outside Help
Obviously, painting can be a lot of work and take tools that you do not have. A painting contractor can get the work done in a fraction of the time because they have the experience and, just as importantly, the right instruments to get the job done.
Not all contractors are created equal, however. Make sure that you do your research into potential choices before narrowing it down to the one you ultimately go with. It is always good to see past work and reviews of the company first. By finding reliable, well-reviewed experts, you will certainly end up more secure during the painting and get better results afterwards.