How To: Plan your exterior house painting project
When you’re investing in a redecorating project, it’s only natural to want to achieve the best possible outcome for the money you spend. As experienced Auckland Master Painters we know that the most successful projects are those where proactive planning and coordination are a priority. With that in mind, we have a few tips we would love to share with you to make the experience of redecorating as stress-free and rewarding as possible.
1. Picking the perfect colour scheme.
You’ll no doubt be going through home and décor magazines for ideas, and clipping out the rooms and colours that most appeal to you. After all, your home needs to reflect who you are and what you like, not just the latest trend.
Have you considered engaging an interior designer? Many of our clients have invested in professional assistance and agree it has been well worth it. Many interior designers also provide project management services. At Wall Treats we work with a network of interior designers, with an extensive range of experience and skills, and we would be more than happy to connect you.
2. Choosing the best tradespeople and other service providers.
Having the right person for the job makes a huge difference.Ask family, friends, colleagues and your interior designer who they would recommend. Find out why they recommend the people they do and call these professionals to ask for quotes.
In the months leading up to Christmas and beyond most good tradespeople and service providers, including house painters, are booked well in advance so, even if you are not starting your project for a while, book them in as soon as possible – that way you won’t be stuck hiring the only person available when you want the job done.
By appointing the right people, you can save yourself a lot of stress and heartache.
3. Book storage for your furniture and belongings and arrange alternative accommodation.
If you are planning to move out while the work is in progress, your furniture and belongings should go into storage. Your tradespeople and service providers will appreciate an empty room to work in and you can reduce the risk of damage to your possessions.
If you intend to stay in your house it will pay to have items that you rarely use stored away. This may also be a good opportunity to undertake some spring cleaning - after all, you won’t want clutter in your beautifully redecorated home!
4. Prepare for painting
Before the excitement of the new colour gets underway there may be some work to be done.
- Do you need to remove any wallpaper?
If there are layers of wallpaper or the wallpaper has been painted over, removal will invariably mean some of the underlying wallboards may be damaged.
The degree of damage will determine the extent of plastering work needed to ensure the walls are smooth prior to painting - painting will not hide any existing imperfections. You may decide to replace the wallboards and take the opportunity to improve the insulation in your home.
Your builder and painter will be able to advise on the best course of action.
- Do you need some repairs or want alterations?
Always talk to a builder about any renovations or repairs and if you are thinking of replacing any door and window fixtures you can do it at the same time. Ask the builder how long the work will take.
- Is there any electrical or plumbing work that needs to be done?
It is best to undertake this work prior to the plasterer arriving so any holes can be patched up.
- Are you painting windows and architraves?
If so all curtains and blinds will need to be removed, even if you are not replacing them.
If you are replacing your curtain rods their removal may leave large holes, make sure you ask your plasterer to patch them up as the interior painter will only be able to fill small holes.
If you are staying in your home while the work takes place some privacy issues may arise – communicating with your painter on the sequence of rooms you would like painted can help minimise this.
- Are you replacing the carpet?
If the carpet is being replaced but not removed before the work begins, the carpet layer will need to cut a strip around the skirting boards to ensure these surfaces can be thoroughly painted.
If you are not concerned with an empty strip for a length of time, the carpet layer can cut the edge off once the redecoration work starts. However, if you prefer to wait, ask the carpet layer how much notice he requires and coordinate with your painter.
5. Managing the contractors
Ensure there is clear, consistent communication between everyone involved. You will need to be advised of any delays or changes so that you can re-schedule or re-coordinate if required.
The plasterer should start after the builders, electricians or plumbers have completed their work. Alternatively, if more than one room is involved, the plasterer can start after the other contractors are finished, so the work occurs simultaneously but without anyone getting in each other’s way.
The same methodology can apply between the plasterer and the painter.
Tradespeople and service providers work more efficiently when they do not need to share spaces. As long as you are comfortable with it, they can all be in the house at the same time, but some planning needs to occur.
6. Adding the finishing touches
We recommend waiting 48 hours for freshly painted surfaces to cure before any carpet, furniture, light fittings, curtains and blinds are installed or returned, so work with your suppliers to coordinate accordingly.
If you would like to transform your home environment with colour, why not contact us today for a no obligation consultation? Wall Treats are award winning Auckland Master Painters with more than 10 years’ experience in painting the interiors and exteriors of some of Auckland’s most beautiful homes.
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