A new coat of paint on your home's interior walls freshens up a room. To ensure the best experience with your painters, take some time to prepare ahead of the work beginning.

1. Clear the Walls  

Of course, pictures and wall art must be removed and stashed away safely before the painters arrive, but it is easy to overlook other items on the walls. Curtains and window coverings, along with any valances or installation hardware, should also be removed. Remove any hooks, nails and switch covers as well, unless your painters specify that they will complete these tasks.

2. Move Furniture

Unless the painters specify otherwise or the space is very small, you don't typically need to remove all the furniture from a room. You may need to move the furniture out if you are having the ceiling painted and there isn't a lot of room to set up scaffolding due to the amount of furniture. Generally, you can just move it to the centre of the room so that the walls are easily accessible. The painters will use drop cloths to cover and protect the furniture as they work. 

3. Clean Thoroughly

Find out if the painters clean the walls or leave that up to the homeowner. A diluted vinegar or bleach solution works well for getting skin oils and grime off the walls so the paint adheres properly. It's also a good idea to sweep and mop floors, vacuum carpets and dust thoroughly before the painters arrive. This cuts down on the amount of dust and dirt that can get into the paint and ruin the finish as it dries.

4. Note Any Damages

Chips and cracks in the wall or trim will need to be filled and sanded smooth before painting begins. Most painters are prepared to make minor repairs before painting, but greater damages may need to be fixed well in advance. If you uncover any major damage, contact your painters to find out how they would like you to proceed with repairs. For example, will they handle it or is it your responsibility?

5. Moderate Temperature

Paint may not dry well if temperatures are too hot or too cold. Excess humidity in a house can also affect drying quality. Your painters can inform you of the optimal drying conditions for the paint they are using so you can adjust your home's heating or cooling system to function in this sweet spot. If humidity is particularly high, then running the heater for a short time or using a dehumidifier may be necessary to dry things out. 

Contact a house painting service to make any further inquiries about the process.