Save on the Cost to Paint your House

A house painting job can run you in the thousands. Over pay and it hurts your wallet; under pay and it hurts the job outcome. Here are some tips to save on the cost to paint your house.

Going into an estimate armed with information is the best thing you can do for your job. Be aware of any repairs you home needs and what services your contractor provides prior to the contractor leaving the estimate. Make sure you receive a written estimate either at the appointment or after, but definitely before the work begins. It should have two parts included: labor and materials.

Get estimates

You should have estimates from several contractors. Don’t select the first one that shows up. Confirm they are all carrying licensing and insurance. Important questions to ask at your estimate appointment are:

• What prep needs to be done? Do you do it?
• Can you tell me what products you use?
• How many coats do you anticipate?
• Could additional costs arise during the work?
• Contracts

Most contractors are able to provide you with a contract, beyond the estimate, that will tell you exactly what will be done, when, and how and when payments are due. If it’s all written down, it’s easier for both parties to understand what is expected.

Prep work

A little work on your part can save your wallet a lot. If you are comfortable doing some of the prep work, it could save you big on your painting project. Little tasks add up quickly. Consider caulking cracks, removing furniture and fixtures and other small tasks before the crew arrives. A handy homeowner can take care of patching, sanding and scraping, saving money and time with the professional crew.

Trim

Look at the full project and decide if there are items you could cut out without the finished project suffering. It’s budget friendly to remove a ceiling painting or trim painting. The scope of work is smaller, meaning your final bill will be too.

Colors

Less coats = less costs. That’s not to say you should ask your crew to skip coats. Changing colors takes more paint. If you pick a color that is similar to what’s on the walls now, your job will require less coats. Keep in mind, bright, dark and vibrant hues will require more upkeep and touch ups more often.

Going into your painting estimate knowing these things, you can feel confident with your choice in painting professionals. Most importantly, you should feel comfortable with the scope of work, painter and job.