Painting your home is one of the best investments you can make and perhaps one of the least expensive. While it is not necessarily cheap, all things considered, it truly represents a big bang for your buck. The good news is that there are ways to paint your home on a budget.
Good as New
Daydreaming about a new color or simply a fresh coat of the current color is exciting. Fresh rich color can give a home a much needed facelift; making it look and feel new again. It is important to also remember that paint does not just serve an aesthetic purpose. It is critical to the protection, integrity and longevity of the structure. It serves as a largely impenetrable shield; safeguarding your home from the corrosive effects of weather and the elements, as well as pests. Giving priority consideration of these objectives will assist and make easy all other decisions regarding the process. It is also wise to make sure you are keeping with any and all requirements or benefits of your home warranty, if you have one.
Beautifying and protecting your home is not a one man job. There are some things you can do yourself, but this might not be one of them. In fact, it takes a combined effort to preserve your structure. The process must be completed with care and detail to be sure that your investment doesn't need to be duplicated sooner than later. A home's protection team consists of the siding material applied, any sealants or trims and last but not least--paint.
Small Efforts Big Rewards
There are two ways to paint your home; do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Hiring someone else to handle the job is always the easiest way, with budget being a big deciding factor. Allocate a reasonable amount of time for research; asking neighbors, friends and family if they have recommendations or connections that may offer special deals or discounts. Be up front with your painting contractor about your budget. Ask if you might be able to reduce the costs of the job by doing some of the prep work yourself.
HOA Referrals
Contacting some of the local homeowners associations will normally yield a list of trusted contractors with exceptionally low pricing that often parallels the costs of materials and equipment alone for the do-it-yourself-er. If it will cost the same, why not let the pro's handle the job while you sit back and relax?
Student Painters
Some areas have painting colleges who employ students. You get a great deal on paint and students gain the experience they need for a career in painting. Don't let the word student frighten you; these companies guarantee the workmanship of their crews, made up of students eager to prove themselves.
Avoid Temptation
If you've decided to go the project on your own, resist the temptation to skip critical steps that must occur prior to the application of paint. Any chipping or flaking paint must be removed. Generally, the entire home should be power washed, and any aged or damaged caulking or stucco would need to be replaced or repaired prior to beginning. This ensures that the paint will adhere well to the surface, helping to prevent issues later.
Don't Paint Your House with Water
Do ask lots of questions and get the facts before choosing a brand and grade of paint for the job. Take into consideration your climate, the exterior finish of your home and your budget. Buy the best quality of paint recommended that you can possibly afford, especially if you plan to live in your home for more than five years. The staff at the local paint or home improvement store is a great resource for tips and advice.
No matter what avenue you take you get your home painted, when the job is done, you'll feel so proud when pulling into your driveway.
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