Have you ever noticed how homes can be so different in their appearance – some are very stylish, but others appear worn out and out-of-date? Have you ever considered what makes a house visually appealing to prospective buyers? Maybe the difference is as simple as a new coat of paint?
Professional painting (interior and/or exterior) does much more than just change the colour of your walls; it totally transforms the liability of your property and can significantly increase value when compared to the same house without professional painting. Regardless of whether you plan on selling your property soon or are just wanting to have a beautiful home, investing in a professional painter will produce results that cannot be achieved through DIY means.
In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about using a professional painter and how that adds value to your home (real value). We will also discuss costs for Australian homeowners, the best colours to use for resale, and what to look for when hiring a professional painter for your project. Let’s begin!
What Does Professional House Painting Really Entail?
Preparation and Repair of Surfaces
“Many DIYers don’t realise this, however – preparation is critical to the entire project. When a professional painter begins working on your home, a significant amount of their time goes into preparing the surface prior to applying any paint to the wall. This involves removing and filling any cracks, sanding any rough areas and repairing any damage.
A qualified painter understands that paint can actually highlight imperfections rather than cover them up, and makes a point of thoroughly cleaning surfaces, stripping old paint that is pealing before preparing the surface for paint application, and ensuring that everything is smooth and has been sufficiently prepared, as all of the above will ultimately affect the end result.
High-Quality Paints and Materials.
In addition to using high quality paint and materials as a professional painter would use from a trade store, the professional painter also has a complete understanding of the different kinds of materials he has at his disposal and how to best use them relative to different surfaces and conditions and weather extremes, as is often the case in Australia.
Additionally, professional painters have the ability and experience to assist you in the decision making process when selecting colours, based on factors such as; the amount of natural light available, the size of the room, and your overall decorating scheme, thus avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring you have the colour you envisioned before rising to completion.”
Correct Techniques for Applying Paint
Reaching a perfect finish requires a special level of skill and experience. Professional painters know what type of brush or roller to use on a surface as well as what method to use to apply the paint. They are also familiar with how many coats of paint will be needed, how long the paint takes to dry between each coat and how to avoid getting drips, streaks and/or brush marks.
In the case of such skills, the professionals will produce clean, crisp lines around the edges; provide even coverage over all painted areas and have a paint finish that will stand up for many years.
How does Professional House Painting add Charitable Value?
Adding Value and Curb Appeal to Your Property
The most cost-effective way of increasing the value of your property is by applying a fresh coat of paint on the interior and exterior. According to Australian property valuers, a professionally painted house can add 5% increase to your home’s value. This is significant to any homeowner’s return on investment.
When home buyers view a home that has been recently painted, they usually see the property to be in good condition and ready for move-in. Home buyers will tend to purchase such properties generally for higher amounts and faster than those properties that need painting. Therefore, painting can be a home improvement that is likely to pay for itself over a period.
Kerb Appeal: Creating a Great First Impression
If you want someone to form a good opinion of your home when they see it for the first time, you only have one chance. What are potential buyers looking at when they drive by? When they see someone has a home and it’s faded and peeling paint; that tells them right away that they have not taken care of their home. If they see a well-maintained home that has been taken care of, that gives them a much higher level of confidence in purchasing a new home and they will be more likely to find out about a house inspection or a possible purchase.
Long-term cost savings: Professional Painters versus DIY Painters
Probably the biggest thing to know about DIY house painting is that while it is much cheaper to paint your home, it ends up costing you significantly more in the long run. You will need to spend money on brushes, rollers, drop sheets, painter’s tape, quality paint etc., which all add up very quickly. On top of that, it will take you some time to do it and if you make a mistake, you will have to pay to fix the mistake as well. If you hire a painter, they are much more efficient at painting your home, using fewer supplies and getting it done correctly the first time; they typically have much longer-lasting paint jobs, resulting in fewer ‘touch ups’ and repainting later.
Is It Worth Paying for a Professional Painter?
A Lot More Saved On Your Time & Efforts
Let’s be realistic! House painting is hard work. A single room may take you an entire long weekend to prep, paint, and get it cleaned back up. Now multiply that throughout the whole house.
Professional painters can finish most jobs in a fractional amount of time compared to doing it yourself. This way you can take the time saved to either have fun over the weekend, spend time with family, work on other things, etc. Your time is also worth something after all.
Quality and Longer Lasting
You can easily see the difference between a professional job and an average job. With a professional job, you will have a very smooth finish with no roller marks, drips, or missed spots. The end result will look a lot better than if you did it yourself.
In addition, the professional paint job will last a lot longer than what you would have done yourself. There is a great deal of proper surface preparation and technique in the way the paint is applied so that it adheres better and holds up to wear longer. You won’t have to repaint in 2 years, either!
Peace of Mind and Warranty
Professional painters give a warranty on their work. If some defect happens after the job is completed (i.e., peeling paint, bubbling paint, fading paint, etc.), they will come back and fix it for you – something you won’t be able to receive via a do-it-yourself job.
Knowing that you have received a quality job will allow you to relax and take pleasure in a newly painted home without worry!
Receiving Accurate Quotes
Always request three detailed, written quotes before deciding. Each quote should have a breakdown of preparation work, crest quality, number of coats, and any incidental fees.
When you see quotes that are far less than others beware, as they are likely reflecting cutting costs related to the preparation work and/or the materials used.
Will House Painting Increase the Value of the Home Before Selling?
Fresh paint brings an emotional response to buyers. Buyers see a clean and neutral wall and can imagine themselves in the home with their own furniture and belongings. This wall is like an empty canvas with endless possibilities.
Whereas the use of bold personal colour choices or walls that are dirty, battered and marked will create a mental block for buyers. They begin to calculate the cost of any renovations which they may need to do, rather than feel they will start a new life in the home.
What are the Best Colours to Maximise Resale Value?
Neutral colours consistently sell best: Warm whites, soft greys, and gentle greiges will give you the maximum number of potential buyers and will also give the impression that they (the buyers) are being offered the maximum use of space and light.
When painting the outside of a house, you will get the best results using typical colour combinations. For example, use white for the trims with some muted colour for other parts of the building; both should complement the Australian landscape and architecture.
The value of your property can be improved through an investment in either interior or exterior painting jobs, They have different types of benefits to your home. Exterior painting protects the outside of your home from the harsh Australian sun, rain and humidity, while also representing the first impression someone gets when they view your property.
On the other hand, an interior painting project has the power to affect how potential buyers feel once they have entered your home and the ability for them to picture themselves living there. Therefore, if you are going to do one or the other, you should do both to provide maximum benefit to the sale of your home,
However, if money is tight, you should prioritize the areas of your home that are needing the most attention based on the current condition of these areas.
Signs Your Home Needs Painting
Watch out for fading, chalking, peeling or cracking paint, as well as musty or mildew growth especially in damp areas, are also indications that paint may need to be refreshed. Inside your home, if you have scratches or stains on your walls and or the general condition of the walls show signs of wear and tear then may be time to repaint your walls.
Climate Consideration for Australian Homes
The exterior climate in Australia can be very harsh on exterior coatings and can cause coatings to fade and deteriorate at a rapid rate due to the intense UV rays. For the majority of exterior surfaces you should expect to repaint every 7 to 10 years, but for most interior surfaces you could expect 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance.
Coastal properties may require more frequent maintenance due to salt air exposure, and homes that experience extreme heat conditions may present additional challenges for painting.
The Best Professional Painters: What to Look for When Hiring a Professional Painter
Licensing, Insurance, and Referrals
In Australia, painters require the licensing necessary for residential jobs exceeding a state-specific minimum amount. Always check for the proper licensing as per state laws, but they must also have public liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance.
Request references from previous clients and always follow up with the references provided. Review the reviews of their business or work on multiple websites so you can form an objective view.
Things to Ask for Before You Hire
You will want to ask them what they do to prepare for painting, what paint brands or products they may use, and how many coats of paint they will apply. You will want to be sure to ask, what is included in the quote and what may require extra charges.
You should ask about their timeline when they will clean up after the job is completed, and what the warranty is for their work. A professional painter will welcome these questions with answers that are clear and confident.
Invest in House Painting by a Professional for Longevity and Style
Having work done to your home by a professional painter is one of the best things you can do as a homeowner. Preparation, product quality, and expertise create a large value for what you are paying for. Whether you are selling your home, improving the overall look and feel of your home, or wanting to have a tremendous finish to your home, a professional painting contractor can produce a product that will make you happy.
The value of having your house painted goes beyond looks. You will be protecting your largest investment, providing yourself with more time and less trouble, and having a greater sense of comfort with the warranties and standards provided by the professional painting contractor. The application of fresh paint to the walls creates a dramatic impact on a home’s appearance, feel, and function.
If you have been putting off your house painting project or considering trying to do it yourself, it may be time to hire a professional contractor to do it for you. You’ll appreciate it when you see the end product and your bank account benefits from this purchase. What you do today will result in years of enjoyment, increased property value and pride associated with your home.
