Has your home’s exterior or interior taken a severe beating from the sun, rain, or wear and tear over the years?
While many tend to remodel their homes, a cost-effective solution is to re-paint the interior or exterior. It’s cheaper, doesn’t require major construction, and can instantly boost the curb appeal of your home.
The biggest obstacle with painting a home, however, is finding the time and energy to do it. It can be an arduous process, but most importantly requires expertise and experience. As such, many opt to hire a professional painting service to take care of the job.
In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of hiring a professional painting service:
PROS: They’ll Deliver a Professional Finish Free of Defects
While this is the most obvious, many DIYers assume that painting is a straightforward affair. The result? They spiral out of control in the middle of a project, with uneven lines, sloppy corners, and visible drips. Overall, with the time and money required to repair these mistakes, DIYers often come out worse than when they started.
A professional painter will deliver the right results the first time around. They’ll properly prepare the surface, i.e sand and patch any holes, and prime your walls before they start painting. Once they begin work, they’ll apply multiple thin layers instead of a single thick one and use the right techniques to ensure a smooth finish with no drips or defects.
Overall, you’ll have picture-perfect walls that not only look the part but last for years. If you’re not confident in your painting skills, then hiring a professional is the way to go.
CONS: Expect to Pay a lot Upfront
Painting, like any professional service, isn’t cheap.
Why?
Because it’s a skillset not many people possess, and the price reflects that. Whether it’d be using unique techniques to paint feature walls i.e sponge rolling or faux painting, or covering more than one room, you’re paying for their expertise.
Furthermore, painters are more efficient in getting the job done. DIYers, unfortunately, tend to run into delays due to inexperience or lack of supplies, leading to an extended timeline. Professional painting services will be well-equipped and experienced enough to optimize their workflow, saving you time and money in the long run.
Ultimately, if you’re tight on budget, DYing can save you a lot of cash upfront. However, just be aware that a painted wall full of defects can cost more in the long run once you factor in all the supplies, time and energy.
PRO: Professional Painting Can be Cost-Effective
Every home improvement project you undertake comes with their ROI. ROI, basically means what you’ll get back from it in terms of value.
In the case of painting, professional services tend to be more cost-effective than DYing, most of the time. In fact, an interior paint job can provide an ROI of 107 percent – not bad!
If you’ve put your property on the market, it will probably require a fresh paint job. The better the condition of your home, the more you can sell for.
If your walls are painted poorly, potential buyers could be averse to purchasing it due to its poor aesthetics. This can lead to haggling over price, leading you to make less money than what you expected for the sale. Although poorly painted walls usually aren’t deal breakers, it can be enough to sway people away from it.
When potential buyers see beautifully painted walls that accentuate your interior’s exterior, however, they’ll be more likely to place a higher value on it. As such, the money you spend on hiring a professional painting service can potentially come back to you in the form of increased property value.
CONS: There’s Less Satisfaction in the Process
Many people love home improvement projects, due to a few reasons:
- It lets them design their homes according to their preferences.
- It’s a way of learning more about one’s strengths and weaknesses about DIY.
- It’s a challenge and a sense of accomplishment when it’s finished.
When you let a professional handle the work, it’s a lot less fun and rewarding. This is true with almost any service, as you’re entirely reliant on the contractor to get it done. And while the end result may be satisfactory, there’s less joy during and after the process.
It’s understandable if you’re not a painting enthusiast. But if you love getting your hands dirty and seeing the results right away, paying someone else to do it can be a letdown. Just be sure you know what you’re getting into before committing to a painting service.
PROS: A Professional Carries Insurance and a Satisfaction Guarantee
While everyone knows a professional painter’s skillset is superior to your average DIYer, they also have something else going for them: They’re licensed and insured.
Painters are legally obligated to carry insurance in case of any accidents or damages which occur on the job. For example, if your painter accidently damages your neighbor’s fence while painting your exterior, their insurance will cover the cost of repairs. This is beneficial as it prevents you from having to pay out-of-pocket for something that’s not your fault.
A satisfaction guarantee, meanwhile, ensures you actually receive what you paid for. In other words, if the job isn’t up to your standards, a professional painter will usually be willing to make it right. That’s not something you’re likely to get when hiring a neighbor, as they can easily disappear if things don’t go as planned.
When hiring a professional painter, ensure they have:
General liability insurance – This covers any property damage or bodily injury caused by their work.
Workers compensation insurance – This covers injuries that occur while they’re at your home.
A work warranty – This ensures your paint job is done to spec and will last a long time.
Conclusion
We could probably go on writing about the Pros and Cons of hiring a professional painting service. But it ultimately comes down to what you think is best for your specific situation.
If you’re comfortable doing the job yourself, then by all means go ahead. But for near guaranteed professional finish, your best bet is to hire a professional painter.
Always evaluate your situation, whether it’d be your budget, timeframe, or experience level. That way, you can make the most informed decision possible and get your walls painted with minimal stress and maximum satisfaction. Good luck!
