19 Jun The Pros and Cons of DIY Exterior Painting

The Pros and Cons of DIY Exterior Painting

Painting the exterior of your home is a great way to give it a fresh, new look and increase its value. When you arrive back home, and it looks great the moment you get out of your car, you can relax in your sanctuary and decompress. But should you take on this job yourself or hire a professional? DIY exterior painting can save you money in the short term, but some potential drawbacks must be considered. Before taking on an exterior painting project yourself, weigh the pros and cons carefully so that you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you.

Should You Paint Your Home Yourself or Hire a Professional?

One of the biggest advantages of DIY exterior painting is that it can save you a lot of money. A professional paint job can easily run into thousands of dollars, but if you do it yourself, you can often get the job done at a fraction of the cost. One of the downsides to DIY exterior painting is the amount of time it takes. Most individual homeowners don’t want to spend one or two weeks of their vacation time to paint their house. Professional painters can usually complete a job in a much shorter timeframe than an amateur, especially if they have several people on their team.

Additionally, unless you have prior experience with exterior painting, you may be less able to detect and repair potential issues, such as peeling paint or loose siding. Not preparing the surface first is a very common mistake by homeowners that leads to paint not adhering to the surface properly. The equipment needed such as specialty brushes, rollers, and preparatory tools are something you will need to purchase yourself, taking time to select, source and space to store. Also, professional painters are trained to clean, prep, and paint systematically which decreases common errors and increases the consistency of paint quality. The taping and masking of doors, windows, and surfaces is a timely labor-intensive process. They also take on the liability of climbing up and down ladders, and getting on and off the roof. It could be very painful and costly if you were to fall off your house while painting.

If You Choose to Paint Your House Exterior Yourself, Here Are a Few DIY Tips:

1. Choose the Right Type of Paint – Use a high-quality, weather-resistant exterior paint that is suitable for the type of surface you are painting. Some paints are better for UV protection which is important if your house gets a lot of sun exposure.
2. Clean and Prep Your Surface – Thoroughly clean and dry your siding before you start to paint so that the new coat will adhere properly. After washing, scrape peeling paint and prime areas that show exposed wood. Treat areas that have organic growth such as mold or mildew.
3. Protect Your Home’s Exterior Surfaces – Use plastic sheeting or drop cloths when necessary to keep them free from spills or splatters of paint. Garden beds, bushes, flowers, vehicles, and walkways should be protected against falling paint and overspray.
4. Wear Protective Gear – Put on safety goggles, gloves, and other protective clothing while painting the exterior of your house. If using a sprayer, wear a respirator to protect yourself from inhaling paint fumes.
5. Prepare Ladders Safely – Make sure any ladders used are secured in place with either sandbags or wood blocks at their base before climbing up it to reach higher areas on your house’s walls or roof line. Ladders should be tall enough so that you don’t stand on any of the last four rungs. If your home is more than 2 stories, you may want to rent a lift.
6. Test Out Colors Beforehand – Don’t commit to a color scheme without first testing small swatches in inconspicuous places of your home’s exterior. That way you know you love your paint colors before starting your project.
7. Take Breaks Often – Painting can be tiring work; give yourself regular rests throughout the day by taking breaks every few hours.
8. Move Furniture Indoors or Far Out of The Way – Remove outdoor furnishings indoors, or at least away from the building and cover them for protection.
9. Consult an Expert – If you are unsure of any portion of the painting process, from cleaning to preparing the surfaces and masking to applying the paint, it may be best to seek professional help.

Even though you can save money by painting your house exterior by yourself. It may be risky and not be worth it in the long run. If you would like to take on the challenge, then do your research ahead of time so that you can make an informed decision and complete the job safely. Professional painters have the experience and know-how to get it done right with as little disruption as possible. In any case, weigh your options carefully before selecting either option.

If you would like help with your exterior painting project we are happy to provide you with a free, no obligation estimate! Contact us today to schedule a time for one of our estimators to meet with you.

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