A painting job goes faster and costs less when the rooms are ready on the first morning. Painters can do most of the preparation themselves, but a few things are much quicker for you to handle before they arrive.
A week before
- Confirm colors and sheens. Changing your mind on the day can mean waiting for new paint to be mixed. If you are unsure about sheen, our guide to choosing a paint sheen can help.
- Point out repairs. Show the crew any cracks, holes, or stains you want fixed, so time for drywall repair is built into the schedule.
- Plan around the rooms. Decide where you will sleep, cook, and work while each room is being painted.
The day before
- Clear small items. Take down pictures, mirrors, and curtains, and pack away ornaments and anything fragile.
- Empty shelves and closets in rooms where they are being painted.
- Move what you can. Light furniture can go to another room. Heavier pieces can be pushed to the middle of the room and covered.
- Remove wall plates only if you are comfortable doing so; otherwise the crew will.
On the day
- Keep pets and children out of the rooms being worked on.
- Agree on access. Let the crew know which bathroom they can use and where they can set up.
- Ventilate. Modern paints are low in odor, but open windows help them dry and keep the air fresh.
Questions to ask before work starts
A short conversation before the first day saves time later. Ask how long each room will take, which rooms will be out of use at the same time, and how the crew will protect floors and furniture. Ask what happens if a repair turns out bigger than expected once old paint or trim comes off. A good crew will explain how they handle surprises and when they will check with you first.
Afterwards
Paint feels dry within hours but takes a couple of weeks to fully harden. Put furniture back carefully, avoid scrubbing new paint for the first two weeks, and keep a little leftover paint for touch-ups.
