Painting FAQs

Painting your home can be a fun and rewarding experience but most do-it-yourselfers underestimate the skill and time it takes to achieve a professional high-quality finish (see "Doing It Yourself"). Some things to consider include:

• Health and Safety: Painting can be hazardous work, whether its working on ladder or dealing with solvents and dust. Professional painters have the appropriate safety equipment to keep you and your family and themselves safe.
  
• Preparation: Professional painters know how to properly prepare the surface. Preparation can be more than 50 percent of the time of a paint job - scraping, sanding, caulking, cleaning and priming.
• Which paints and how to apply them: paint choice is not just about colour, professional painters know which paints to use in each situation and the tools to use to get the best results.
• Clean-up and disposal - professional painters take care of these tasks as part of their service.
  

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Not all painting contractors are the same. There are several key things to look for when choosing a painter (read "Choosing a Painter, Paperhanger (Wallpaper Installer) or Colour Consultant") including ensuring they have the relevant licenses, experience and capability to complete work to your satisfaction. You might want to consider using our painting referral service to find a pre-screened painter in your local area; visit our Painting Quotes Registration Form Page.

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No. You should always meet with the painter face-to-face and discuss the project. Give each contractor a copy of a detailed brief which outlines your requirements (see "Painting Specification Checklist"). Someone who quotes over the phone may underestimate the amount of work or preparation required and you could be hit with extra charges or a low-quality paint job.

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There are many factors to consider when determining painting costs - condition of the surface, size of the project, and the complexity of the refinishing. Painting is a service industry, so you are mainly paying for labour. Less than 25 percent of the total cost of a painting job will go towards paints, materials and scaffolding. Don't skimp on paint. Quality paint last longer and provide better durability and performance. By spending more on your paint you will be saving money in the long run as you will not have to paint as frequently.

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The cost of a job is usually determined by the level of preparation, attention to detail and quality desired. Typically you will get what you pay for. Accepting a low-bid or negotiating a lower rate may be false economy if the painter cuts corners to get the job done. Give each painter an identical brief and ask them painter to itemise the expenses so that you can compare how the money is being spent. You don't have to accept the highest bid but never select a painter solely on price either. You need to feel confident and informed about what you are getting for the money you are being asked to pay.

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A good quality paint job should last a long time. Interior and exterior paints will have different lifespan's depending on exposure to the elements and the type of surface to be painted. As a general rule most exterior paints will last on average 7 - 10 years. The minimum durability is 2 - 3 years for exterior paints, and 3 years for interior finishes. The keys to good paint performance are proper surface preparation, high quality materials and quality application.

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Firstly, you should discuss any issues with your paint contractor and ask that they be fixed. Master Painters Australia offers a technical inspection service. They will make a detailed inspection and point out any important issues. You may use this report to resolve the dispute, either in face-to-face discussions with your painter or as evidence at a legal hearing.

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Your painter will supply all paint and materials. The quotation provided to you by your painter will list the paint brand and colour that will be used. Customers may supply their own paint but this will rarely offer any real savings. Painters will usually not guarantee paints that have not been purchased by them or provide warranties on workmanship for non-premium paints.

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It will vary from paint to paint and the weather conditions. Expected drying times are listed on the paint can. It generally takes two weeks for paint to fully cure and before a newly painted surface can be scrubbed. For more information, head over to "Maintenance Care Tips - Interior Paint, Exterior Paint and Wallpaper".

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It will depend on your home's condition, the colours you choose and the scope of work required. Your painting contractor will give you an estimate start and finish date when they provide you with a quotation. It is generally not necessary to seek alternative accommodation while the work is being done, but painting can be messy. Expect there to be lots of dust and noise. Professional painters will clean-up at the end of each day and make sure that your furniture is placed in its original condition when the job is done. If you have small children or pets, it is advisable to keep them out of the home while the work is being done for safety reasons. Ask your contractor for advice.

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Read our "Interior Painting Preparation Checklist" and "Exterior Painting Preparation Checklist". For interior work, most painters ask that you remove knick-knacks and valuables from the room and ensure that pets are safely contained. For exterior jobs, trim scrubs and bushes close to the house and remove potted plants, bbqs or sporting equipment that may pose a hazard. Professional painters generally expect to move furniture, window treatments and fixtures. On completion of the painting they will place all items back in their correct location.

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How do I choose paint colours?

Many professional painters will help you select colours but remember they are experts at painting not choosing colours (see "Colour Basics - Choosing Colours, Colour Schemes and more"). It is a good idea to look through magazines, make a list of the colours of your furnishings, go to your local paint store and get colour swatches and test pots. If you want a complicated colour scheme, it may be a good idea to hire a colour consultant (read "Choosing a Painter, Paperhanger (Wallpaper Installer) or Colour Consultant"). Many professional painters and paint manufactures offer this service.

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For interior surfaces, dirt and scuff marks should be cleaned immediately with soap and water. Don't use abrasive cleaners or scrub newly painted surfaces before the paint has cured (usually two weeks). Make sure your painter leaves you with some touch up paint and the details of the brand of paint used, colour number etc so that when it comes to repaint you can match colours.

On a regular basis you should walk around the exterior of your home looking for dryrot, water penetration, cracks, and chalking. Once a year it is a good idea to wash your home to remove the accumulation of surface dirt. High-pressure washes shouldn't be used more than once every 12-18 months.

For more information, click on the following:

• Maintenance Care Tips - Interior Paint, Exterior Paint and Wallpaper
• Common Paint Problems and Solutions
  

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Some manufacturers make low odour paints. Generally water-based (latex or acrylic) paints will have less odour than solvent-based paints as they do not have the same chemical composition. Latex paints are safe to use for people who suffer from latex allergies. Latex paint is not made from latex rubber.

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If your house was built before 1970 there is a chance that lead-based paint may be present. The presence of lead does not necessarily mean that it presents a hazard unless it is inhaled or ingested. If you are renovating or the paint is chipping then lead-contaminated dust is a serious concern. Home test kits are available but the surest method is to use the services of a lead certified contractor. For more information about lead see our health and safety section.

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There are a number of
health and
safety issues (see "Health
and Safety Tips - Paint Disposal, Fumes, etc") to take into
consideration when painting. Always ensure rooms are well ventilated,
paint lids are placed on paint cans and ladders are stored away after
use.  Of particular concern for pregnant women and children is
lead based paint and lead-contaminated dust. It is best to leave
painting to the professionals and have them do it while you are out of
the house. Read "Choosing
a Painter, Paperhanger (Wallpaper Installer) or Colour Consultant".

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You can choose to hang wallpaper, also called wallcoverings yourself but like most do-it-yourself home improvement projects you will need to make sure you have the time, right equipment and patience needed. Professional wallpaper installers:

• know how to properly prepare wall surfaces. This includes: removing nails, switches, cleaning walls, patching cracks and using a primer or sealer to make sure that you get the best results.
• have the skills, tools and experience to complete the job with best-results and minimal disruption
• know what wallpaper types work best where
• handle all aspects of clean-up and rubbish disposal
• have expertise in all aspects of wallpaper from removal through to hanging.

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Try our FREE wallpaper installer referral service; visit our Painting Quotes Registration Form Page. All installers in our network have been prescreened so you can be confident in your selection.

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Your installer will measure the room and advise you on how much wallpaper you will need to buy for your project. Most wallpaper rolls are about half a metre wide and 10 metres long which roughly equates to about 5 square metres a roll. Once you have your room estimates ask your retailer when you place your order.

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This will depend on the size of the room, the layout of the room, the wallpaper itself and the skill of the installer or paperhanger. It is not a quick DYI job.

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Most installers will charge by the job not the roll. In addition to hanging the new wallcovering, a professional paperhanger will properly prepare the surface, protect your household belongings during the job, and clean-up and dispose of rubbish safely as part of their service.

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Many of today's wallpaper varieties have a life of 7 - 10 years depending on where they are installed in the home. Wallpaper in kitchens and bathroom need to be able to resist moisture and scrubable.For more information about the benefits of wallcoverings read "A look at wallpaper and wall coverings".

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Wallpaper is extremely durable. Dirt and grease should be removed with gentle soap and water. For more detailed maintenance tips click on "Maintenance Care Tips - Interior Paint, Exterior Paint and Wallpaper".

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