by michael daigle · 9 Jan 2024Have you ever taken on an ambitious DIY project only to end up frustrated, exhausted, and wishing you had called in the pros? Painting a room can seem deceptively simple. After all, how hard can it be to roll some color onto walls, right? The truth is, for many homeowners, painting ends up being trickier than anticipated. Before you decide to tackle painting yourself to save some cash, consider whether your skills and time are up to the challenge. If any of the following situations apply, you’ll likely benefit from hiring professional painters to handle the job.
Painting Your Home? Consider DIY vs Professional
If you're not the DIY type or have a large house, hiring professionals is probably your best bet. Painting an entire home interior can be a big project and professionals have the proper equipment and experience to do it efficiently and effectively.
Cost
Professional painting services aren’t cheap, but they’re often worth the investment. Painters charge between $25 to $70 per hour depending on experience and the job specifics. They can also get discounts on high-quality paint and supplies, so you may end up spending less overall versus a DIY job.
Quality Results
Professionals have an eye for detail and can achieve a flawless, high-quality finish. They’re skilled at cutting in edges and corners, applying an even coat, and fixing any imperfections. Your home will look professionally done when they’re finished.
Convenience
Hiring painters means no hassle for you. You won’t have to spend your free time prepping, painting, and cleaning up. Professionals handle it all efficiently while you relax. They can also finish the job much faster than a DIY attempt.
Experience
Professional painters are trained and experienced in the latest techniques and tools. They know what works well for different surfaces and how to properly prepare and paint to get the best results. Their experience means better results and a longer-lasting finish.
While DIY painting can save you money, for a big job or if quality is important, professional painters are well worth considering. They have the skills, experience, tools, and workforce to transform your home with gorgeous, lasting results. Sometimes paying a little more upfront is worth it for a job well done.
Pros of DIY Painting: Save Money and Learn New Skills
When it comes to DIY painting, the biggest benefit is saving money. Professional painters charge between $25 to $50 per hour, and a whole house interior or exterior paint job can cost $5,000-$10,000 or more. Doing it yourself cuts out the labor fees, dropping the total cost to around $500-$3,000 for supplies.
Another perk of DIY painting is gaining useful skills. You'll become proficient with essential tools like rollers, brushes, trays, tape, drop cloths, and paint sprayers. You'll discover proper techniques for priming, patching holes, achieving an even coat, and clean-up. These new abilities will come in handy for future DIY projects around your home.
However, DIY painting does have some downsides. It's time-consuming, often taking 30-50 hours for a whole house. It can be frustrating if you're inexperienced. The results may look amateurish with visible brush strokes, drips, or uneven coverage. Doing it yourself also means assuming liability if anything goes wrong or anyone gets hurt.
For many homeowners, the pros of lower cost and learning opportunities outweigh the cons. But if time is limited, quality is critical, or the job seems too complicated, hiring professional painters is worth considering. They have the expertise, proper equipment, and work efficiently. Professionals also provide guarantees, insurance, and peace of mind that the job will be done right.
In the end, evaluate your needs, skills, and priorities to determine if DIY painting or calling in the experts is the best choice for your project. And if opting to hire professionals, get multiple estimates to find affordable, high-quality work. With the right approach, you'll end up with results that make you proud.
Cons of DIY Painting: Time-Consuming and Physically Demanding
Painting a house yourself to save money seems like a good idea in theory. However, many homeowners quickly realize that DIY painting is extremely time-consuming and physically taxing. The amount of effort and energy required often ends up costing more than the expense of hiring professional painters.
It’s Hard Work
Painting a home involves a lot of demanding tasks like climbing up and down ladders, scraping off old paint, priming bare spots, applying 2-3 coats of paint, and cleanup. All of this difficult work can take a major toll on your body, leaving you with aches, pains, and little energy to do much else. For older homeowners or those in poor health, the physical challenge can be too much to handle.
It Takes Forever
As a DIY project, painting a house typically drags on for weeks or even months. First, you have to spend time pressure washing, patching holes, priming, and preparing the surfaces. Then applying multiple coats with drying time in between can feel like a never-ending cycle. The longer the job continues the more your motivation and morale drop. Hiring pros allows the work to get done efficiently in a few days so you can get back to enjoying your home.
Frustration Builds
Doing it yourself often leads to frustration over imperfect results, mess-ups that need re-doing, and a lack of experience. Professionals have the skills, tools, and practice to achieve high-quality, uniform results without hassle. They can also offer guidance on choosing complementary colors and the latest painting techniques.
Opportunity Cost
The long hours spent painting your home means time lost engaging in hobbies, socializing, exercising or other priorities. For many, the opportunity cost of taking on such an intensive DIY project is just too great. Calling in the experts allows you to make the most of your free time rather than be tied up with a paintbrush in your hand.
In the end, while the upfront cost of professional painters may be higher, the benefits to your time, health, and sanity can make it worthwhile. For some, paying a bit more for a high-quality job done right is a price worth paying.
When to Call in the Pros: High or Dangerous Areas
Painting high areas like ceilings, stairways, and trim or areas that require scaffolding or ladders can be difficult and even dangerous as a DIY project. It often makes sense to hire professional painters for these types of jobs.
Ceilings
Painting ceilings yourself requires contorting your body into awkward positions for long periods while trying to get an even coat of paint. Pros have the proper equipment like extension poles, scaffolding, and sprayers to paint ceilings efficiently and without strain. They also have more experience painting ceilings and can get the job done faster with better results.
Trim and Molding
The trim around doors, windows, baseboards, and crown molding requires a steady hand and precision to get clean, crisp lines. Professionals have a lot of practice tackling trim and have the right brushes and tape to do the job well. They can also caulk and fill any cracks or holes in the trim before painting for a smooth finish.
Staircases
Staircases present safety issues for DIYers on ladders and require special techniques to get coverage on spindles and railings. Pros have specialized equipment to access and paint staircases and know how to protect carpeting and avoid drips. They are also experienced with the extra prep work staircases may need like sanding, priming, and caulking.
Exterior Areas
Some exterior areas like gables, trim, and shutters may require ladders, scaffolding, or extension equipment to reach. These can be difficult and dangerous for DIYers to maneuver. Professional painters have the proper safety equipment, harnesses, and experience working at heights to access hard to reach exterior areas. They can also advise on the best paints and techniques for your home's exterior surfaces.
In summary, it's best to hire professional painters for high, awkward, or dangerous areas of your home. Their experience, equipment, and skills will allow them to complete the work efficiently and safely with superior results. Focus your DIY efforts on areas within easy reach, and you'll achieve the perfect balance of saving money and professional quality.
Hiring a Pro for Complex Paint Projects
Some paint jobs are just too complicated for the average DIYer to tackle. If you have an intricate project with lots of detail work, it’s best left to the professionals.
Trim and molding
Painting trim, baseboards, windows, doors and crown molding requires a skilled hand and an eye for detail. Professionals have the proper tools and techniques to get crisp lines and an even coat. They can also remove hardware, patch imperfections, and reinstall everything so it looks seamless.
Staircases
Staircases, banisters and railings involve painting spindles, balusters, posts and angled surfaces. This demands precision to avoid drips, uneven coverage and brush marks. Professionals have strategies for navigating tight spaces and the experience to handle the challenges stairs present.
Repainting kitchen or bath cabinets
Cabinets require knowledge of the proper primers, paints and techniques for a durable finish. Professionals will thoroughly clean, lightly sand, and apply 2-3 coats of paint for a professional looking finish that will stand up to high traffic and humidity. They can also re-hang cabinet doors and re-install hardware so everything is aligned perfectly.
Exterior painting
The outside of a home presents many difficulties for DIYers like navigating heights, proper surface preparation, and choosing weather-resistant products. Professionals have the proper safety gear, scaffolding, and experience with exterior paint and the elements. They know how to properly patch cracks, prime, and apply 2-3 coats of high quality paint for maximum protection.
Faux finishes
Creating decorative faux finishes like color washing, rag rolling, streaking or marbleizing requires an artistic eye and specialized skills. Professionals study techniques to replicate natural materials and textures. They have the tools, experience and patience to experiment and achieve the desired effect. Leave the faux finishing to the experts for authentic, professional results.
For any paint job more complex than a basic room, the pros are worth the investment. They have the proper training, tools and experience to handle the challenges and nuances that most DIYers don’t. Sit back and enjoy the results without the stress and mess of attempting it yourself!
Signs You Need a Professional Painter
There are certain signs that signal it’s time to call in the professionals for a paint job. DIY painting may seem like an easy way to save money, but for some projects, it pays to hire an expert.
Uneven or streaky walls
If you’ve tried painting walls yourself but are left with an uneven, blotchy or streaky finish, it’s best to hire a pro. Professional painters have the proper techniques, tools and experience to apply paint smoothly and evenly for a flawless look.
High ceilings or staircases
Painting ceilings, especially high ceilings, or staircases can be difficult to do yourself. Professionals have the proper equipment like extension poles, scaffolding or lifts to reach high places and the skills to navigate tricky areas. They can also cut in edges and corners cleanly without drips or smudges.
Intricate trim or paneling
If you have decorative trim, wainscoting, crown molding or other woodwork, it’s easy for an amateur to make mistakes. Professionals know how to properly prepare the wood, apply primer and paint carefully without getting drips or brush marks on the wood. They also have a steadier hand to paint straight, crisp lines.
Time constraints
If you simply don’t have the time to dedicate to a full paint job yourself, hire a professional. They can complete an entire house in a fraction of the time it would take an amateur, with a team of experienced painters and the proper tools and equipment for the job.
Hazardous conditions
In some cases, DIY painting may not even be an option if there are hazardous conditions like lead paint, asbestos or other issues. Professionals have the proper certifications, protective equipment and procedures to handle these scenarios safely according to regulations.
Rather than settling for a mediocre result or risking damage, hire a professional for challenging paint projects. Their experience, skills and quality work will give you a flawless, long-lasting finish and added value to your home.
Questions to Ask Prospective Painters
When hiring a professional painter, asking the right questions upfront will help ensure you end up with quality results. Here are some key questions to ask prospective painters:
How long have you been in business?
An established company with several years of experience will likely do higher quality work and be more reliable. They’ll also have a proven track record of satisfied customers.
Are you insured and licensed?
Proper licensing and insurance shows the painter takes their business seriously. Insurance also protects you in the event of any damage. Make sure any subcontractors they use are also properly insured.
Can you provide references from previous clients?
Speaking with former customers is one of the best ways to gage the quality of a painter’s work and their level of service. Ask for references from jobs similar to yours.
How do you prepare the surfaces?
Surface preparation is key to getting long-lasting, professional-looking results. Ask about the steps they take to clean, patch, prime, and sand the surfaces to be painted. Proper prep work takes time but is well worth it.
What kind of paint do you use?
Higher quality paint will provide better coverage and last longer. Ask the painter if they use commercial-grade or budget paints and about the specific brands and product lines they prefer to use.
What is your warranty or guarantee?
A reputable painting company will stand behind their work. Ask about details of their warranty or guarantee, including what is covered and for how long. Also inquire about their policy for touch-ups or fixing problems that come up after the job is done.
Can I see photos of your work?
Photos of completed jobs will give you an idea of the painter’s style and the quality of work they produce. Look for photos of projects similar to your own.
How much will it cost and how long will it take?
Get a detailed written estimate that includes prep work, number of coats, and projected completion date. Compare estimates from different painters to determine who offers the best value.
Asking the right questions will give you confidence in the professional you hire to tackle your painting project. Do your due diligence to find a reputable pro and you’ll end up with results that make a lasting impression.
Estimating the Cost of Professional Painting
When estimating the cost of professional painting, several factors come into play. DIY painting may seem like an easy way to save money, but for many painting projects, hiring pros is worth the investment.
Scope of the project
The size and complexity of the job will significantly impact the overall cost. Painting a few rooms or exterior trim will likely be on the lower end of the price spectrum. A whole interior repaint or exterior repaint of a large house will be much more. Professional painters are also better equipped to handle challenges like high ceilings, staircases, and trimwork.
Quality of paint
Higher quality paint, especially if using a brand like Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams, will increase the price. Professionals also have access to commercial grade paints not available to consumers. These paints often provide better coverage in fewer coats.
Prep work
Proper surface preparation is key to a quality, long-lasting paint job. Professionals will thoroughly clean walls and trim, repair any damage, fill holes and imperfections, and apply a primer for the best results. This meticulous prep work requires more time and labor, impacting the overall cost.
Experience and expertise
Seasoned professional painters have years of experience and expertise that translate to a higher quality job. They are skilled at cutting in edges, applying an even coat, and properly rolling out walls and ceilings. They also know the proper techniques for your specific paint and wall type. An experienced pro can often complete the job in less time, reducing labor costs.
In the end, for a large or complicated paint project, professional painting is typically worth the investment. While DIY painting may seem budget-friendly, you’ll likely end up with an inferior result that requires more time, money, and frustration to fix. When in doubt, get estimates from reputable local painting companies to determine if the pros are right for your needs.
DIY vs Professional Painting FAQ
DIY painting can save you money, but some jobs are better left to the professionals. Here are some questions to help determine if you should call in expert help for your painting project.
Do you have the proper equipment?
Painting requires more than just brushes and rollers. You’ll need drop cloths, tape, sandpaper, primer, paint trays, and more. Professionals have high-quality gear designed for the job.
Do you have enough time?
Painting is time-consuming. It can take days or weeks for a large project. Pros work efficiently and have the staff to complete jobs quickly. They also have the experience to avoid mistakes that add time.
Are you physically able?
Painting involves climbing ladders, stretching, and repetitive motions. Professionals are accustomed to the demands and have the proper safety equipment and training.
Is the surface in good condition?
If walls or trim need repairs like patching holes, caulking cracks, or sanding rough spots, it’s best to hire a pro. They have the skills and materials to properly prepare surfaces before painting.
Do you want a professional finish?
DIY painting may look amateurish, especially for tricky techniques like stenciling or faux finishes. Professionals have years of experience and training to provide flawless, high-quality results.
Is it an indoor or outdoor job?
Exterior painting requires knowledge of paint types and how to properly apply them. Professionals also have access to equipment like scaffolding, pressure washers, and sprayers to efficiently cover large outdoor surfaces.
If you answered “yes” to multiple questions, professional painting help is probably your best choice. For smaller indoor jobs or if you’re on a tight budget, DIY painting can work with proper preparation and patience. But when in doubt, call in the experts—your walls will thank you!
Final Thoughts
After reading through the pros and cons, you now have a better sense of whether a DIY paint job is realistic for your situation or if calling in the big guns is the way to go. If you have more money than time or patience, hiring professionals is probably your best bet. They have the skills, tools, and experience to get the job done quickly and ensure a high-quality result. However, if you're on a tight budget or want the satisfaction of doing it yourself, a DIY paint project could be rewarding. Just be sure to do plenty of prep work, use high quality paint and tools, and take your time. At the end of the day, you have to weigh all the factors and go with what will give you the end result you want within the constraints you have. Either way, a fresh coat of paint will make a world of difference! Now go forth and get your paint on - you've got this!