Should You Paint or Carpet a Space First?

This question comes up frequently when you’re planning to start an interior painting project. Unfortunately, there is no clear cut answer. That being said, there are advantages and disadvantages to painting first or carpeting first:

Pro’s and Con’s of Painting First

Pro’s:

• You will not get any wet paint on your new carpet (although this rarely happens and paint is always able to be removed).
• You are able to better paint your baseboards

Con’s:

• It is common for walls and/or trim to get damaged when laying down carpet, which can result in slight touch-ups or a full repainting of your wall. You may also have to repair your trim. With repairs and repainting, the cost of your interior painting project may drive up. This all being said, touch-ups aren’t very common, meaning you most likely will have to commit to a full repaint if you wall is damaged

Pro’s and Con’s of Carpeting First

Pro’s:

• You will not incur additional charges if you walls and trim are damaged by carpet installers since surfaces have to patched and prepared before painting anyways.

Con’s:

• Paint can get on your new carpet and ruin it. Although unlikely to happen, it is still possible and we have insurance to cover it if it does happen.
• Carpet can get in the way of painting trim. Usually, we pull the carpet back so we are able to paint behind. Unfortunately, this means its hard to paint the baseboard very well. This all being said, once the carpet is back in place, you won’t see the baseboard.

Whichever way you choose to to approach your interior painting project, CertaPro Painters® of Orland Park can help! Schedule a free estimate with a professional painter so they can evaluate your project.