If you’ve lived in your house for any length of time, say longer than 5 years, it’s probably time to paint the exterior.  Depending on your geographic location – we live in the so-called hi-desert of Temecula – the weather extremes can wreak havoc on the exterior surface of your home.  If you’re thinking about tackling the job yourself, here are some points to consider:

What tools do I need to complete the job?

The short list includes a ladder, several sized brushes, rollers, masking tape and some shrub covers.  It’s best, of course, to first decide on a color scheme (see “Coordinating Paint Colors: How to Choose Colors that Work Together!”).  Take square foot measurements and consult with your local paint store professional to find out the amount of paint you’ll need.  You may want to use stock colors.  If you choose specialty shades, make sure you mix enough for the entire job.

How much will it cost?

Whether you’ve decided to do the job yourself or hire a painter, it is a good idea to know the price of the paint before you make the final decision. Quality paint will cost around $30 to $35 per gallon. Watch for sales if you have the time; it can lower your overall cost 8% – 12%.  A gallon of paint will cover approximately 400 square feet. If you figure the normal wall is a little less than eight feet, then you’ll be able to paint about fifty feet of wall per gallon. To figure ceilings, multiply the length of the wall by the width and divide that by 400.  The result should give you the coverage you need.  Remember, though, those figures are calculated for a single coat.

Should I Hire Someone?

Only you know if you have the time, resources and talent to do the job effectively. If you cannot spare the time and detail to complete the job, consider hiring a professional painting contractor.   The best way to find a competent painter is through a word-of-mouth referral.  Happy customers are always happy to refer.  Try asking for referrals at your local paint store.  They interact daily with local painters and see which ones are busy. Busy oftentimes equates to happy customers as well.  Of course, when you do connect with a painter, check their resources and prior customers for past work results.

How Much Will It Cost?

A Professional that knows his craft can give you a fairly accurate estimate on the total cost of the job – providing, of course, that there are no additions of work before the job is complete. The cost that you figured for paint will be about 15% of the total cost of the painting job. The labor is where the 85% of the price comes from. This may seem like too much but don’t forget if you do the job you will have to take time away from some other commitment.  Calculate what your time is worth?

Other Things to Consider

Don’t forget to consider using high quality paint. Even if it costs you more, it is well worth the investment. The average house will start to show cracks in the exterior paint after 4 years with average quality paint. It can happen sooner with cheap paint. If you live in an area that doesn’t have harsh winter or sand storms and such, you may be able to stretch that to eight years if you purchase high grade paint. You’ll cut the cost of your paint job in half.

An easier way to paint a home exterior is by using a paint sprayer.  There are two types of sprayers: airless, for big jobs, and air-spray, for fine finishing.  It’s best to rent them from a local paint store.

Finally, years of dust and pollen can build up on your home’s exterior.  They can seep into surface pores.  For this reason, it’s important to wash the walls, eaves, and window casings before starting.  To get the job done right, rent a pressure washer before a paint sprayer.   Spray painting requires a lot or prep work. In the end, however, proper preparation saves time and produces the result you had in mind.