The Journal · PlanningPlan it right the first time.
A painting project goes best when the scope is clear before anyone opens a can. These guides explain what drives cost and time, how to compare estimates line by line, and what to ask any painter before you hire.
8 guides
Prep is the paint job: what good preparation looks like
Paint is only as good as what it’s stuck to. Here’s what careful preparation involves, inside and out, and how to tell when it’s being skipped.
Read the guideHow to compare painting estimates, apples to apples
Three quotes to “paint the house” rarely describe the same job. Here’s how to line them up scope against scope and see what each number actually buys.
Read the guideWhat affects the cost of painting a house exterior, and why bids differ
The price of an exterior paint job follows the hours it takes. Here’s what drives those hours, why bids for one house can differ widely, and how to get an estimate that holds up.
Read the guideWhat affects the cost of interior painting, and how to get quotes you can compare
An interior paint job is priced by the hours it takes. Here’s what adds those hours, room by room, and how to describe your project so every painter quotes the same work.
Read the guideHow long does it take to paint a house, inside or out?
Rough timelines for a room and a whole exterior, what stretches them, and why paint that feels dry the same day often needs weeks to cure.
Read the guide15 questions to ask a house painter before you hire
An estimate tells you the price. The interview tells you how the job will actually go. Here are 15 questions, grouped by topic, with what a good answer sounds like.
Read the guideDIY painting vs. hiring a painter: an honest comparison
Plenty of rooms are fair game for a careful weekend painter. Some jobs aren’t. Here’s how to tell the difference, and what doing it yourself really involves.
Read the guidePainting before you sell: what’s worth doing (and what isn’t)
Before the listing photos, the right few days of painting matter more than a big project. Here’s what buyers notice first, and what you can leave alone.
Read the guideLet’s talk about your home.
Tell us a little about the project and we’ll be in touch to talk it through and set a time to see it.