Get Ready for Your Painting Project

    How to Prepare Your Home for Professional Painting

    Proper preparation ensures your interior or exterior painting project goes smoothly and efficiently. While professional painters handle the heavy lifting, there are simple steps you can take to help the process and protect your belongings.

    Preparing for Interior Painting

    Before Painters Arrive

    • Remove wall decorations, photos, mirrors, and clocks
    • Take down curtains and window treatments in rooms being painted
    • Move fragile items, electronics, and valuables to another room
    • Clear closets if interior closet walls are being painted
    • Ensure clear pathways for painters to move equipment

    What Painters Handle

    • Moving and covering furniture with protective sheeting
    • Removing and reinstalling switch plates and outlet covers
    • Protecting floors with drop cloths
    • Wall cleaning, drywall repair, and surface preparation
    • Complete cleanup after the project

    Preparing for Exterior Painting

    Before Painters Arrive

    • Move patio furniture, grills, and potted plants away from the house
    • Relocate vehicles from driveway if painters need access
    • Trim back bushes and plants touching the house
    • Ensure gates are unlocked for access to all sides of home
    • Secure pets to prevent them from accessing work areas

    What Painters Handle

    • Power washing all surfaces
    • Protecting landscaping with breathable covers
    • Scraping, sanding, and repairing surfaces
    • Caulking gaps and sealing cracks
    • Masking windows, doors, and hardware

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What should I do before painters arrive?

    Clear small items from walls (photos, mirrors, decor), move valuable or fragile items to another room, ensure clear access to work areas, and remove window treatments if painting trim. Professional painters handle furniture moving, but clearing clutter speeds up the process.

    Do I need to move furniture before interior painting?

    No, professional painters move and cover furniture as part of the service. However, removing small items, breakables, and electronics speeds up the process. For large pieces, we'll move them to the center of the room and cover with protective sheeting.

    How do I prepare walls for painting?

    Professional painters handle wall preparation including cleaning, filling holes, sanding, and priming. You can help by pointing out problem areas like water stains, cracks, or spots that need attention. We'll assess and address all surface issues before painting.

    Should I clean my house before painters come?

    Light cleaning helps but isn't required. We'll clean walls and surfaces as part of preparation. Ensure work areas are accessible and paths are clear. For exterior painting, move patio furniture, potted plants, and hose reels away from the house.

    Ready to Start Your Painting Project?

    Contact Franklin Custom Finish for a free estimate. We'll walk you through the entire process.