If you’ve been thinking about hiring a painting company to do interior painting services for your home, then you’re not alone. There are many different things you should consider before you hire a company, from the type of paint you use to the price of the services.
Preparation work
If you’re considering hiring an interior painting service to complete a job for you, be sure to familiarize yourself with what prep work is and how it can help make the process go more smoothly. The more prepared you are, the more likely you will be to achieve the results you’re looking for.
A painter’s best practices guide tells you that one of the most important parts of preparation is to be cognizant of your surroundings. This includes identifying key areas such as electrical outlets, windows, carpet, etc. Having a checklist to keep track of these items can save you hours of frustration later.
Wall patching
The best way to tell if your drywall is in bad shape is to do a thorough inspection. This includes checking for missing or damaged screws, nails, and drywall abrasions. If you can’t see the nitty gritty, you might be surprised to find a wall in disarray. Fortunately, there are a variety of reputable companies that can come in and repair your walls for a price that won’t break the bank.
A quick perusal of the internet will give you a plethora of options to choose from. As you would expect, some of the more established companies have a hefty service fee while some of the smaller painters offer a more cost effective per square foot rate.
Sanding
Interior painting can be a complicated project. The walls may need to be painted with primer, repaired, and sanded. It’s important to have the right preparation. Sanding the surface will help your paint adhere.
Your walls may need sanding if they have many bumps and runs, or if the previous coating has been peeling. A professional will be able to take care of this for you. If you do it yourself, you will need to use protective gear.
Using a sanding block will help you apply even pressure to the surface. This will ensure a smooth finish. You can also use a putty knife to fill in smaller holes in the walls.
Baseboard caulking
Caulking baseboards is a good way to keep water out of the walls. It also helps to prevent water from coming behind the trim. You can purchase caulking at your local hardware store or hire a professional.
You can buy latex or silicone-acrylic caulk for your interior painting projects. These types of caulk are inexpensive and easy to apply. They are suitable for most indoor and outdoor environments.
When choosing a caulk, consider how you’ll use it. For example, will you need a waterproof caulk for your baseboards? If so, you may want to opt for paintable options. Otherwise, clear silicone will work well. Alternatively, you can choose a caulk with adhesive properties for a stronger seal.
Removing furniture before the painting crew arrives
If you’re considering hiring a professional painting crew to do the job, there are a few things you can do before they arrive to make your home more conducive to the process. Specifically, you should remove furniture from the rooms that will be painted. This will prevent paint from dripping and dust from floating onto the surfaces to be painted.
When you do decide to move furniture from a room, it’s a good idea to remove the smallest of items from the room as well. Small items like electronics, appliances, and toys can be vulnerable to damage during the painting process. You should also consider vacuuming before they arrive to avoid any dust sticking to the walls as they dry.
Costs of supplies, equipment, and time
If you are planning on painting your interior walls, there are many factors to consider. Interior painting costs vary depending on the amount of prep work, the type of surface, and the number of coats.
Typical costs for painting interior walls range from $0.90 to $3.60 per square foot, while ceilings may cost $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot. The quality of the paint and the prep work will also affect the price.
For a standard sized room, you will need two gallons of paint. This can cost $30 to $50, but higher-end brands will run you closer to $55. A gallon of primer can be $10 to $20, while a gallon of latex-to-latex paint can cost as little as $25.