6 Painting Tips to Save on your Project

Painting a house is expensive, both mentally and monetarily. For the average 2,500-square-foot home that’s two stories, painting can cost several thousand for the exterior and even more on the interior. To help trim the price down, pitch in with some work. There are plenty of ways to reduce the scope of the project, thus reducing the price. Here are 6 painting tips to reduce your costs.

Regardless of your project, some planning will go along way. Each of these tasks can be accomplished with a little effort. You don’t need to be a professional painter to get good results.

Costs to Paint

When considering a paint job, there are two main categories the price comes from: materials and labor. While these are directly tied to the job itself and geographical location of your home, an estimate will cover both.

Labor

This is covering the cost of the painter’s time on your job site. This includes the preparation, repairs, painting and cleaning up afterward. Each hour at your home costs you money. You could save by contributing some of the preparation work yourself. This will reduce time on site and your bill.

Materials

Paint will be a portion of your estimate, but it’s far less expensive than the painter’s time. Typically, paint is $20-$70 per gallon. Costs depend on the grade, brand, sheen and features. Mold resistance and heat blocking cost more among other options. What you opt for is ultimately up to you.

Painters will have manufacturers that they lean on for their jobs. This will be a paint that they have used successfully on a good number of their projects. Use the painter’s knowledge but share your opinion as well.

In addition to the paint , you will likely find the supplies costs in this area. There are peripheral items the painters need to successfully complete your work. This includes brushes, roller, tarps, tapes and other items. While they might not be broken out individually by cost, but the amount expected will be there.

How to Save

Since labor is the biggest cost, work with your painting company to see if you can trim the scope of work. Don’t be surprised if you are met with some criticism. Some painting companies shy away from allowing the homeowner to contribute to the job. Others will just warn you that their guarantees may not stand. Mostly, painting crews are fine with you helping out.

Look for things on your estimate that you are comfortable with completing. For example, on an exterior job, the bushes will need to be trimmed away from walls. If you regularly take care of your lawn and have the tools, this could be an area where you can reduce the work for the crew. When it comes to  interiors, ask to reduce man hours by moving the furniture from the room and removing face plates and fixtures. These are items the crew normally does. By reducing their workload, you reduce the bottom line.

For more handy homeowners, take on prep work like sanding and patching, taping and draping or purchasing some supplies on your own. Keep in mind that not all of these will work out to big reductions in cost but it will help.

Paint Regularly

Painting more often means it will cost less per paint job but it’s true. If you proactively paint the exterior of your home before the paint fails, you are heading off what could be expensive repairs lying underneath the surface. Repairs mean more costs on a paint job, so if you can avoid them altogether, it’s worth it.

Trim Scope

It’s easy to talk in wishes and dreams with your estimator. Sure you need a room painted, but do you really need the ceiling, trim and windows done as well? Likely, some of it could wait until the next time around. By removing one area alone you’ll see big cost savings.

Consider Color Choices

Changing the color of a room dramatically can cost you money. By going from pastel to deep or back again, you’re looking at extra coatings and primer layers that need to be applied. Each time a painter opens a can, it costs you. To save , consider colors that are similar to what’s on the walls. The painters have an easier time changing a muted color to another muted color. You’ll still get great results but it will take far less coatings.

Reserve deep colors for accents or trim. If you are set on a dark wall, try to add it to smaller square footage. The vibrant color will look just as stunning as an accent wall as it does all over the room.

Get Estimates

If you’re ready for a paint job, we’re here to help. Our teams are comfortable working within requests and budgets to get you the look you dream of without making a nightmare for your wallet. Schedule a free, no-obligation estimate appointment today.