A new paint job can help transform your home and give it a fresh new look and feel, without having to totally remodel your home. Whether you’re updating your home’s exterior, painting a bedroom, a bathroom, or your kitchen cabinets, there is magic in a new paint job. However, many homeowners find themselves pondering whether they should DIY their paint project or call in a professional paint company. It’s important to remember the importance of a well-executed paint job, as a high-quality paint job not only enhances the aesthetics of your home, but also protects your home from wear and tear. Plus, when done correctly, a well-executed paint job will be long-lasting. Whether you choose to DIY or hire a pro, the goal is always to have a quality, long-lasting finish in the end. Read on to learn when you should DIY and when to call in a pro for your residential painting in Raleigh.
In This Post
Benefits of DIY Painting
There are several advantages of DIY painting. One of the primary reasons homeowners choose to take on painting projects themselves is the cost savings. By doing the labor on your own and selecting paint from your local paint store, you can significantly cut down on the cost of the overall project.
Another big reason why homeowners DIY is because they truly enjoy it and walk away with a sense of accomplishment for what they’ve done for their home. This gives them a sense of pride knowing they are making their home their own with their unique style and hard work.
While you can choose to DIY many home paint projects, a few simple painting tasks that are great for homeowners to tackle on their own are painting small bedrooms, painting accent walls, doing simple paint touch-ups, or even painting a piece of furniture to bring it new life.
Limitations of DIY Painting
While DIY painting is an affordable, satisfying, and creative experience, there are also some limitations of tackling your own paint projects.
DIY painting can have its challenges and drawbacks, and a lack of expertise is definitely one of them. Without the proper training, experience, and knowledge in paint products and processes, DIY painters may run into issues that could have been prevented, such as streaky paint, uneven coverage, or improper surface preparation. They may also struggle with cutting in and achieving clean lines and a professional finish.
Time constraints can also pose a challenge for DIYers, as painting projects can be time-consuming, and once started, the job has to be finished in a timely manner, from prep to painting, drying time, and clean up. For families with busy schedules, this can be a real challenge.
Some of the most common mistakes that DIY painters make are centered around poor prep, uneven sheen build, and choosing the wrong paint product and color. Learn more about these common DIY mistakes and how to fix them in this blog post.
When To DIY
Now that you know the benefits and limitations of DIY painting, let’s answer the question, when should you DIY a paint project?
If you are looking to refresh the paint in a small room, such as a bathroom or bedroom, or do minor touch-ups, these are great projects to tackle yourself. They are more manageable and allow you to build up your paint skills and confidence without being overwhelmed. They aren’t a huge time commitment and if something goes awry, it can more easily be fixed than if you were tackling a more complicated project.
If and when you do decide to take on a DIY paint project, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Prepare the surface properly.
- Prevent messes and by properly taping off your space and covering furniture.
- Prime the surface.
- Invest in high quality paint tools and products.
- Use proper painting techniques to build each coat of paint.
To dive into these DIY painting tips more in depth, check out this blog post.
5 Tips For DIY Painting to Make Your Paint Job Look More Professional
Benefits of Hiring Professional Painters
Now, let’s consider the other side of the coin and the benefits of hiring professional painters to help you bring your paint job to life. Professional painters bring their expertise, experience, knowledge, and equipment to each and every project, which is a huge benefit, especially if it is a more complex job.
They know the best techniques, paint products and tools, and finishes for each unique project. This leads to high quality results, long-lasting finishes, and time savings for you as the homeowner. Plus, you have the peace of mind knowing the job is being done right.
Situations Requiring Professional Painters
While you can absolutely DIY certain paint projects, there are various situations where it’s advisable to hire a professional to come in and do the job for you.
If you have a large home and you are painting the entire house or several rooms, it can be quite daunting for a DIYer. This is especially true if you have multiple stories and high ceilings. Professionals have the resources and equipment to handle these larger projects more efficiently.
If your paint job requires intricate designs with several nooks and crannies, this requires a steady hand and an artistic eye, which professional painters have.
Another situation in which it’s best to hire a pro is when you are doing an exterior paint job. Exterior painting poses new challenges, such as weather elements, surface preparation, and using the proper exterior paint products. This is an area where professional painters excel.
Other challenging projects where it’s best to call in the pros are projects such as painting cabinets, painting brick exterior, edging, staining, or projects with extensive prep work. Professional painters are well-versed in the nuances that come with each of these projects, and you can definitely benefit from having an expert handle them.
How to Choose a Professional Painting Company
When you are looking to choose a professional paint company to partner with, it’s essential to choose a reputable company. After searching Google for painters near me, check their references and read their reviews.
Be sure to ask these 4 questions when looking for a professional paint company for your next project. It’s also important to choose a company that aligns with your values.
Request estimates from multiple paint companies to understand the overall scope of the work, including surface preparation, the number of coats required, the paint type to be used, timelines, what you’ll need to do to prepare, etc. Requesting multiple estimates also allows you to compare costs and make the best decision for your family.
Overall, there are many instances where DIY painting is a great choice, as well as situations in which it’s a better option to call in a professional paint company. If you have a small project to tackle, try your hand at DIYing and let those creative juices flow. However, if you have a more complicated, specialized project on hand, call in a pro to help you get the best, most long-lasting results.
Use your best judgment to make an informed decision based on your specific project, skills, and budget. Remember, the quality of the paint job is essential to achieve long-lasting, beautiful results. Keep this in mind whether you choose to DIY or hire a pro.
If you’re looking to partner with a company for your residential painting in Raleigh, we’d love to work with you.
Visit our contact page to request your free estimate today. We’d love to help you transform your home into a space that is uniquely yours!
