How to Book a Painting Service

01At a glance

When you hire a house painter, most of what decides the result happens before a brush touches the wall: patching, sanding, caulking, priming and protecting floors and furniture. Two quotes that look far apart are often describing very different amounts of prep. A detailed written scope lets you compare them fairly.

This guide covers interior and exterior jobs for homeowners, and renters who have the landlord’s written permission to paint. It includes the lead-safety rules that matter for older homes.

02Signs it’s time to book

• Peeling, blistering or cracking paint on siding, trim or window frames.
• Bare wood showing on exterior trim, which can let moisture in.
• Scuffed, stained or faded interior walls before a sale or move-in.
• Water stains on ceilings, after the leak has been fixed.
• Mildew that keeps returning on a bathroom ceiling.
• Planned color changes, a nursery, or a refresh after renovation.
• Important: if your home was built before 1978 and the work will disturb painted surfaces, lead-based paint may be present. Do not dry-sand or scrape it yourself; hire a lead-safe certified firm.

03Booking the appointment, step by step

1. Check the year your home was built. Property records, closing papers or your county assessor’s website usually show it.
2. Decide the scope: which rooms or sides of the house, walls only or also ceilings, trim, doors, cabinets, or decks.
3. Pick colors and test samples. Paint large swatches on two walls and look at them in morning and evening light.
4. Fix the cause of any water stain first. If the roof is the source, see the roof inspection guide.
5. Invite two or three painters to see the job in person, and give each the same written scope.
6. Compare written estimates line by line: prep, primer, number of coats, products, cleanup.
7. Agree on dates, weather contingencies for exterior work, and a payment schedule.

04Picking the right provider

Some states and cities license painting contractors and others do not; check with your state or local licensing authority. Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation if they have employees.

Lead-safe work in older homes. Under the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, firms paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 generally must be EPA lead-safe certified (or certified by an authorized state program) and follow lead-safe work practices. Ask for the firm’s certification and the name of the certified renovator on your job.

Ask what paint brand and product line will be used, how many coats are included, and what the warranty covers. Read reviews on several sites and ask to see recent work similar to yours.

Red flags: a quote with no mention of prep, refusal to provide proof of insurance, a large deposit demanded before any materials are bought, and a painter who brushes off questions about lead in an older home.

05Your pre-visit checklist

• Year the house was built, and any lead test results.
• Chosen colors with brand, name and sheen, written down.
• Furniture moved to the center or out of the room, unless the painter handles it.
• Wall art, curtains, outlet covers and fragile items removed if agreed.
• Pets and young children kept away from work areas and fresh paint.
• Exterior plants, vehicles and outdoor furniture moved clear of the walls.
• A plan for ventilation and for rooms you need to use during the job.

06Questions worth asking

1. Is your firm EPA lead-safe certified? Required for most paid work disturbing paint in pre-1978 homes.
2. What prep is included? Patching, sanding, caulking and priming make a big difference.
3. How many coats, and which products? Cheaper quotes may mean fewer coats or lower-grade paint.
4. Who moves furniture and protects floors? Avoid surprise charges or damage.
5. What does your warranty cover, and for how long? Get it in writing.
6. How do you handle cleanup and leftover paint? Leftover paint is useful for touch-ups; disposal rules vary locally.

07How the visit usually goes

For the estimate visit, the painter walks the rooms or exterior, measures, checks the condition of surfaces and asks about colors. For the job itself, crews usually start by protecting floors and furniture, then do repairs and prep, prime where needed, cut in edges and apply coats with drying time between them.

In pre-1978 homes, a certified firm may set up plastic sheeting, warning signs and special cleanup. At the end, walk through with the painter in good light, mark touch-ups with painter’s tape, and keep a record of the colors used. Exterior work depends on weather and temperature, so schedules can move.

08Mistakes that cost time or money

• Choosing a color from a tiny chip. Large samples in your own light avoid a repaint.
• Comparing quotes with different scopes. The cheaper one may skip prep or a coat.
• Ignoring lead in an older home. Unsafe sanding or scraping can create hazardous dust.
• Painting over a stain before fixing the leak. The stain returns.
• Paying most of the price up front. Tie payments to progress.
• Skipping the final walk-through. Touch-ups are easier while the crew is still there.

09FAQ

What should I ask before I hire a house painter?

Ask about license and insurance, lead-safe certification for pre-1978 homes, prep work, products, number of coats, warranty and payment schedule.

Does my home need a lead-safe painter?

If it was built before 1978 and the job disturbs painted surfaces, the EPA’s RRP Rule generally requires a certified firm for paid work. The EPA site explains the details and exceptions.

Should I buy the paint myself?

Some painters prefer to supply it; others accept customer-supplied paint. Agree in writing so there is no confusion about quality or quantity.

Do I need to clean before painters arrive?

Painters usually clean surfaces as part of prep, but clearing clutter helps. After the job, the house cleaning guide covers post-project cleaning.

How long does interior paint take to dry?

It varies by product, humidity and temperature. Follow the label and the painter’s advice before hanging pictures or pushing furniture back.