10 Things to Watch for During a Painting Final Walkthrough

Your house is in upheaval. Before you usher your painters out, make sure you do a painting final walkthrough of the job; it will save you heartache in the end.

The furniture is all over and packing a lunch for the kids is more than you can bare. That’s right, you’re living in a construction zone. A small painting project can really turn your home upside down. So when it’s completed, you may be excited to push your painters out the front door.

Here are 10 things to watch for during a painting final walkthrough.

1. Inspection

It should be a last step of any project in your home. Do a final inspection of the work that was completed. Blemishes and minor repairs can be addressed before the contractors leave. If you neglect to take care of this while they are in your home, the company may be hesitant to set up another appointment to complete repairs. It’s best to bring up issues at the time of the work.

2. Foundations

Foundations are literally the foundation of the project. Minor preparations can make the difference in a project looking professional or messy. If the project is an exterior against the ground, the contractor should shovel rocks away from the wall so they do not get overspray on the rocks. In contrast, there should be no patches missed in painting to avoid the ground.

3. Peeling

Check the project area prior to the job and make a note of paint that is gouged or peeling. You’ll want to pay particular attention to these areas at the end of the project. Is the peeling still there? How about that divot? The imperfections should not have been painted over without prior repair. Good prep work means a good outcome in the end.

4. Cracked stucco

Any outside cracks in your home should be properly repaired prior to a paint job. Cracks in stucco should not be filled in with sealer, but with a full masonry patch. If it’s just painted over, you will be able to see the crack in the wall after painting.

5. See all sides

Make sure you walk around the project, viewing it from different sides. With any painting project, you’ll want to observe the work from close up, far away, and different angles to make sure no places that were missed with paint. This is particularly important if your new color is close to the old.

6. Trim

If your painting contractors are painting over wood trim, make sure that cracks are sealed prior to painting. If the paint is put on over a crack, it’s sure to show through after the project is completed. For small cracks, a caulk seal is appropriate, while larger cracks may require a new piece of wood to be put in.

7. Gates and fences

Rust in metal gates and fences can be especially problematic when painting. Any deficiencies in the metal need to be addressed prior to painting. For sure it will be a problem in the long run if it’s just painted over. When the painting is complete, there should be no rust and no imperfections showing through.

8. Clean up

Any mess that wasn’t there when you started should not be there when the work is done. Trash should be removed, paint should be labeled and given to you, the ground and any drips should be cleaned up. No garbage should be left behind and the job site should be left in better shape than it was to begin – you just had painting done after all!

9. Baseboard

Cut lines around the baseboards are a particular concern. Whether painting came up to them or they were painted too, check for straight lines and make sure corners were caulked to give a clean edge.

10. Sills

Window sills are easily forgotten during a job when it comes to prep work or a second coat. Make sure dust is gone before the paint is put down or you will be left with a sticky mess. Check the area to make sure there are no missed areas and the color is vibrant and even.