As the spring progresses, it’s easy to focus on exterior painting exclusively. However, interior painting will still be on the minds of many people. We thought it would be helpful to them and us if we did a little guide about getting ready for interior painting.
At Those Painting Guys, our service prices are affected by a short list of factors. While we can’t speak for every professional painting contractor, it’s likely that they focus on these as well. They are:
1) The number of rooms (or spaces) to be painted,
2) The types of surfaces to be painted,
3) The number of coats,
4) Ceiling heights, and
5) The number of colors to be used.
Getting Ready for Interior Painting: Getting Prices
You’ve surely heard the expression, “time is money.” Any factor that increases the time involved in a room will increase the cost. When you are ready to get quotes for the interior of your home, you’ll want to have these factors in mind.
1) Number of rooms: It will be up to you to determine whether the entire interior needs painting or just a few rooms. Some rooms may need immediate attention, while others can wait. When you meet with a contractor, discuss whether you get a better rate per room by including more rooms. You may want to include those additional areas based on the economics.
2) Types of surfaces: While you may think of a room as just one area, there are a number of surface types that a contractor considers. Ceilings and walls require similar prep and procedure in painting. However, “trim,” specifically moulding, door and window frames, and doors themselves require more time and effort. Including these items in any room will result in more cost.
3) Number of coats: At Those Painting Guys, we generally quote prices based on one coat, but certain colors and color changes may need more. As you are considering what needs to be done, consider the type of color changes you wish to make. When you meet with contractors, have your color selections ready so you can be informed about which ones, if any, may require more coats.
4) Ceiling heights: You’re probably not surprised that a room with a cathedral ceiling costs more to have painted than one without. Stair wells and open-story areas, such as a foyer, require ladders. These increase the time and effort needed to paint, and time is money.
5) Number of colors: You can expect a higher price quote when you are using more colors because color changes are less efficient for your painter. He won’t arrive with a brush, roller, and setup for half a dozen colors, so there will be more time required for cleaning up and getting set each time the paint color changes. This means the job will take longer, and…time is money. By the way, the websites for Sherwin Williams and J.C. Licht are great places to look for colors and color schemes.
Getting the House Ready for Interior Painting
There is a bit more to do when getting ready to have interior painting done. Here are some tips that should make your painter more effective and your personal items more secure:
1) Valuables: Remove items like jewelry, coin collections, expensive artwork, hangings, or knick knacks from rooms and secure them in another location. You might think this is to protect them from theft by your painter, but it’s not. It’s about eliminating the possibility of damage and clearing a safe path for your painter. The more he or she has to be concerned about, the longer the job will take.
2) Items on walls and furniture: After the valuables have been safely moved, figure out what to do with artwork on walls and any items on top of large furniture. Put these in a room or location that the painter will not be in, and leave them there until completion.
3) Electronics: You should not want your painter to remove your television from the wall or from its perch on a piece of furniture. Be prepared for moving it yourself. This will also be true of other electronics, such as stereo speakers and sound bars. The same rules apply; store these items safely out of the painter’s path.
4) Furniture: Most painters will move large furniture to the center of the room and cover it. However, you may have an antique or a piece of furniture that is delicate. You will want to move this item yourself.
This may see like a lot of preparation, but it will save your painter time, protect your property, and give you the best chance for a great, professional job.