To keep your home’s exterior looking its best, one of the most common tasks is painting. Before picking up that paint brush, the important first step is preparation. It can be surprisingly intensive, depending on the existing conditions. It is, however, integral and necessary to the success of any painting project.

Protecting your home by sealing around doors, windows, trim, etc. is an often overlooked undertaking the significance of which cannot be over-emphasized. Without proper caulking, moisture may penetrate cracks around windows, doors, trim, etc. and cause  significant and costly concealed damage, even rotting. Moisture may also wick inside the walls and create mold conditions. Therefore, check the condition of your caulking often, even if you are not planning to paint anytime soon.

COLOR ME!

I love to think outside the box when considering new color schemes. When changing colors, remove the guesswork from selection by preparing an on-site sample. Those tiny paint chips are very deceiving, the look of which can change dramatically when applied to your home. This little extra step could potentially avoid a costly mistake. Many manufacturers offer economical, small quantity sampling. High quality paint, even though more costly up front, lasts longer, uses fewer coats to cover, and reduces labor and overall expenses.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

It is always important to know your limitations. There may be pitfalls for the do-it-yourselfer, and avoiding them insures your efforts and dollars are put in the right place. There is no substitute for hiring a professional with the right expertise when the project is beyond your comfort zone. When hiring a professional, always get more than one opinion and estimate and verify warranty information. Ask for a business license and insurance information, check references, and possibly go see a completed project similar to yours. Although a down payment may be required, never pay in full for work before it is completed.