By True Shine Painters ·
The short version
- Clear small items, valuables, curtains and wall hangings from every room being painted.
- Large furniture can usually be pushed to the centre of the room and covered by the painters.
- Painters normally supply and lay drop sheets, do the masking and clean up as they go.
- Plan for pets and kids early, because wet paint, open doors and ladders do not mix with either.
- Homes built before the 1970s may have lead paint, so get it tested before anything is sanded.
What should I move before the painters arrive?
Start with the small stuff, because it is the stuff that gets lost, broken or covered in dust. Anything on a shelf, bench or windowsill should be boxed or moved to a room that is not being painted. That includes ornaments, photo frames, books, toiletries in bathrooms and the pile of things that lives on top of the fridge.
Take everything off the walls. Pictures, mirrors, clocks, shelves and hooks all need to come down so the walls can be patched and painted properly. Keep the screws and brackets in a zip bag taped to the back of each item, so hanging it again later is not a guessing game.
Curtains and blinds are worth taking down if you can. Painting around them leaves shadows and mess, and fabric holds onto dust from sanding.
- Empty shelves, wardrobes and drawers that sit against walls being painted.
- Take down pictures, mirrors, curtains and curtain rods where practical.
- Move valuables, medication, electronics and anything fragile to another room or offsite.
- Clear the floor space around the walls so the crew can work along the skirting.
What can I leave for the painters to handle?
A lot of homeowners over-prepare and burn a weekend doing jobs the painters would rather do themselves. Larger furniture such as beds, couches and dining tables can normally be moved to the middle of the room and covered with plastic and drop sheets. You do not need to carry a wardrobe down the hallway.
The painters should also handle the parts that make the difference to the finish. That means protecting floors and fittings, masking edges, filling nail holes and cracks, sanding patches flush, spot priming repairs and cleaning down before paint goes on. If you are getting quotes, ask each painter to confirm what is included so you are comparing like with like.
It is also fine to leave light switches and power point covers alone unless the painter asks. Some crews remove them for a cleaner result, and some tape them. Either way, it is their call and part of their process.
How do I prepare for painters with pets and kids at home?
Wet paint, open doors and ladders are a risky mix for curious kids and pets. The simplest fix is to plan a place for them before day one. A dog that is normally left inside might need to stay with a friend, in a room that is not being painted, or in the backyard if it is safe and the weather suits.
Cats are the usual escape artists. Painters going in and out with gear leave doors open, so keep cats shut in a room away from the work, with food, water and a litter tray, or arrange for them to be elsewhere for the day. Let the crew know which room is off limits so nobody opens the door by accident.
For kids, the main issues are wet paint on walls and doors, ladders, tools and paint tins. Explain the rules and set up a clear play area away from the work. Paint fumes from modern water-based products are usually mild, but ventilate the house and keep babies and anyone with breathing sensitivities away from freshly painted rooms. Follow the advice on the paint tin.
What access do painters need to get the job done?
Good access saves time, and time is a large part of what you pay for. Before the start date, make sure the painters can get in through the front door or a lockbox, and that you have agreed who is home and who is not.
They will need a place to park close to the house, a spot to stage drop sheets, ladders and paint, and access to power and water. If you live in a unit or a tight estate street, check visitor parking rules and tell the crew about them up front.
For exterior jobs, clear the garden beds, pot plants, outdoor furniture, bins and anything leaning on the walls. Trim back shrubs that touch the house so the crew can reach the surface. Move cars off the driveway if the painters will be working near it, and pull washing off the line. Overspray and dust do not respect the fence line, so it is worth giving neighbours a heads up too.
What if my home is older or the job is on the outside?
Older homes need one extra step. Paint used in Australian homes before the 1970s can contain lead, and that is common in older parts of Werribee, Footscray and Sunshine. Do not dry sand or scrape old paint in these homes until it has been tested. Test kits are available at hardware stores, and a lab test is the more certain option. If lead is present, the work needs to follow proper safe-handling guidance, and it is a good reason to raise the question with your painter at the quote stage.
For exteriors, check your gutters, downpipes and anything loose on the walls before painting starts. Leaks and loose fittings cause paint problems later. Tell the painters about any spots where water gets in, because they will want to know before they cover it up.
Finally, be realistic about weather. Exterior work moves around the forecast, so a start date is a plan rather than a promise. A good painter will explain that before the job starts.
Should I stay home while the painters work?
You do not have to be home all day, but it helps to be reachable. Painters often need a quick answer about colour, sheen or a repair they have found behind a piece of furniture. Being on the phone is usually enough.
If you are working from home, plan for noise from sanding and for the smell of paint, and set up a spare room or a different spot in the house. Many families work through the job room by room and use the rooms that are finished. Do a walk-through at the end with the painters, look at the walls in daylight, and point out anything you want touched up before the crew leaves.
If you would like a hand working out what to move for your specific house, True Shine Painters gives free quotes across Melbourne's west and can talk you through it on the day.