How to cut costs for your interior and exterior house painting
22nd Jul '22 • By Service.com.au
Here are our tips and tricks for saving money on your next interior or exterior house painting project.
A fresh coat of paint can completely transform the interiors and exteriors of your house. If painting your house is on your to-do list for a house makeover, you may have also done some research on painting costs for your house. As long as the paint job is easy and doesn't require painting any tricky spaces, you can DIY. But it's always advisable to get a professional painter for a job well done.
You don’t necessarily have to break the bank if you go with an expert. Here are our tips and tricks to cut costs on your next interior and exterior house painting project.
1. Get Multiple Quotes
If you are painting your entire house, interior or exterior, you might want to get some professional help. Some places in the house can be tricky to paint, and if you don’t have adequate experience, the paint job can go wrong, and your house might end up looking worse than it did to begin with. Don’t go for the cheapest option. It’s wise to get at least 3 painter quotes for your project. Remember to do your research and find trustworthy companies. Be certain to enquire about maintenance, cost, materials, and warranties, and don't be afraid to share the other quotation rates during the negotiation.
2. Choose Your Colours Wisely
Colour may have a significant impact on the cost of paint. For example, if you were to go from a dark colour to a lighter one, you'll probably need to add more coats of paint to avoid the darker colour showing through. If you plan to paint the outside of your house, you should try using a lighter colour. Dark colours look fantastic, but they fade much faster, particularly with the strong Aussie sun! By using a lighter colour, you would more likely have to paint less frequently, saving you money overall.
3. Plan Before Painting
Make sure you save time and money by arranging your furniture, cleaning the walls, using painter's tape, covering door knobs and floors, etc before your paint job begins. If a painter spends 5 hours prepping the interior and exterior of your house before they start, this will result in extra costs. You can save a considerable amount of money if you do the preparation yourself. Accidentally having colour where it doesn't belong may create a huge mess, and in some cases, it can require the purchase of new equipment. Take precautions to prevent such mishaps that will cause more to repair in case of paint damage.
4. Use Quality Material
One thing you do not want to do to save money is purchase low-quality paint. Of course, you can save money by keeping an eye out for paint deals or any discounts but do not settle for the cheapest option. High-quality paint can cover the walls better in less coats, saving both time and money. It has a longer lifespan too which means you can probably go years without needing any touch-ups or repainting. Make sure the colour of the walls does not stain or scuff easily. You can also save money by buying your own paint.
5. Don’t Get Extra Paint
Make sure you buy as much paint as you need. If you are painting only one wall or one room of your house, you don’t need gallons of paint. A little excess paint isn't a bad thing. It can be used to patch up cracks or scuffs later on but too much can be problematic to dispose of safely and difficult to store. Measure the amount of wall space that needs to be painted and calculate approximately how much paint you will need to finish your job. For example, if you have a large, open floor plan house, you’ll need more paint. So, think about buying it in bulk to save money.
6. Save On Supplies
Paint materials such as rollers, brushes, tarps, and painter's tape can be reused from one job to the next. They have no expiration date. Look for the supplies you used when you did your last paint job or consider asking a neighbour or friend who recently painted. Only buy the supplies you absolutely need for the project.
7. Don’t Forget to Use a Primer
Do not attempt to save money by skipping the primer coat before painting. It is less costly to apply one coat of primer before painting than to apply additional coats of paint. Primers are especially important when painting on raw drywall, rugged walls, raw wood, or painted surfaces. If you are making a significant difference in the colour of your wall paint, using primer will help avoid damage of former colours and the need for additional paint later on.
If you are undertaking an exterior or interior house painting project, the above tips will save you some time and money.