Home Improvement: Exterior Painting Tips and Techniques
Kaleidoscope Paint offers services from professional exterior house painters for the businesses and residents of Edmond Oklahoma. In 2014, the company’s founder, Dan Rusnack, recognized a need for quality exterior painting services in this area. The family-owned painting company handles condo painting, residential projects of all sizes and light commercial projects.
Over the years, clients have consistently asked questions about the difference between hiring professional exterior house painters and doing the work as an independent project. We compiled some answers for the convenience of readers who might be considering repainting their home or condominium.
Preparing the House
House preparation can take up a major chunk of time. This issue is complicated by the fact that not all houses will require the same amount or type of prep work. Cleaning and primer will take considerably longer on large homes, for example. Homes built before 1978 may have old lead paint that must be handled safely for removal. Even people with previous experience as exterior house painters might call a professional to handle lead paint removal.
Preparation includes work dealing with the following:
- Cracks on the window panes
- Loose or rotted caulking around trim lines
- Mildew, rotting wood and paint peeling
- Siding problems, odd angles and damaged areas
Risk, Labor and Equipment Rentals
Painting the outside of a house requires special tools and equipment. It is tempting to buy cheap supplies in order to save money, but this can be dangerous if the project puts too much stress on the supplies. To determine the degree of risk, combine the quality of the equipment with the specific attributes of the house. For example, a high-quality ladder will allow the painter to gain access to two or three-story windows, but an accident is more likely to happen on a cheap, unstable ladder.
In addition, homes that have complex structures and designs can pose serious challenges for amateur painters. Cheap equipment will also be more likely to catalyze an injury if the home was built on uneven grounds. Complicated projects generally require professional painters to perform the work safely. The more intricate and tall the home, the more it becomes likely that a professional should be involved. Professional exterior house painters can provide safe painting services for homeowners with multiple stories.
Painting Supplies and Equipment
The total costs depend on the scope of the project and the type of home. People who enjoy painting their home might not flinch when it comes to purchasing these items. For others, It is all too easy to start the house painting project with little more than enthusiasm, but eventually you will need to come to terms with how many supplies are needed.
Either way, compare professional rates to the cost of renting or buying supplies:
- Pressure washer
- Sanders and scrapers
- Ladder
- Paint brushes
- Angled trim brush
- Paint rollers, different sizes
- Drop cloths
- Painter’s tape
- Roller grate
- Caulk gun
- Painting clothes and cleaning supplies
Exterior House Paint and Primers
The type of paint and primer makes an impact on the overall project. This is something that amateur exterior house painters often get wrong. The drive to cut costs can be so strong that the homeowner will settle for cheap paint and primer. However, this will backfire in the long run. The quality of the primer can affect the final result. Latex-based paints are best for the exterior of the home, but they should never be applied on top of an oil-based coat of paint. Water-based paints dry faster than oil when time is an issue. Some homeowners will prefer a matte look while others want a polished finish. Consult with our experienced exterior house painters from Kaleidoscope Paint if you need assistance deciding what type of paint to use on your home or condo.
The issue of labor costs becomes more tricky when you account for the unique risk factors and the complexity of the home’s design. These two variables will drive up the labor cost to the point that it may no longer be practical to do it yourself. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the issue of labor costs. Some people enjoy this kind of work and have the physical capacity to do it; others do not. To make matters worse, the labor estimate will be different for each home. This one issue can tip the balance when deciding to hire a company or do it yourself. This is also why it may be helpful to start any project with a complete estimate from our exterior house painters.
DIY, Pros and Cons
Everyone will look at their painting project a little differently. For example, this might be the perfect weekend project if you have a simple home that is single-story and you enjoy physical work. However, you will also be willing and able to either rent or buy supplies, and you need to seriously consider the effects on your social life. If you get interrupted, the project could drag on for weeks unexpectedly. Cleaning is a major part of the prep work that must be done. This may include inspecting and removing mildew with an appropriate cleaning chemical. It also includes paint removal, which can be labor-intensive. Calculate the non-monetary costs before deciding if using our exterior painting services is the right choice for your project. You can contact our exterior house painting company at any time. Many people find that hiring professional painters will save them money and time, but this is an individual assessment. Professional exterior painting services from Kaleidoscope can always help you to complete your project in Edmond OK.