Interior Painting Season has officially arrived in the PNW! Getting a fresh application of paint is always exciting; both for the crisp clean feel and for the change of color! You’ve had your home measured and you’ve signed the estimate! What happens next?!? Here are 5 things you can do to make your paint project go as smoothly as possible!
interior painting
1. Respond to Calls and Emails from your Painter
In many cases; your painter will have a calendar that they will want to schedule you into as soon as possible. The better you are at keeping in communication with them; the more quickly you can move through the interior painting process! If you work with Sir Paints A Lot, one of the first things you will need to schedule (if you want it) is your color consult! Making the time to have one of our color specialists come out and help you choose a color scheme can really help you feel confident and happy with the paint you choose! Also: the sooner your painter knows which colors you are using, the sooner they can order paint and get your project started! If you’re curious about the color consult; check out this blog: Pros and Cons of a Color Consult!
2. Mark Your Calendar!
Once you get the estimated date for your interior painting project, Mark Your Calendar! Paint companies do their best to keep in contact with you to let you know whether they are on schedule for your project or if they are ahead or behind. It is important that you also keep track of when your project is supposed to happen so that you don’t plan other events too close to the time of your job. Allow a little wiggle room before making plans to host a family dinner, for example, so that you do not end up disappointed if the painters run into a little setback. Even though the date may not be “exact”, keeping track of it will help you be more prepared.
Keeping track of your appointment time also prevents most complications where you would end up needing to reschedule. Not only does last minute rescheduling ruin other customer’s plans and schedules; but you also may end up having to wait longer than you expected, depending on how busy your painter is. No fun 🙁
3. Make Plans for Pets
Once you have a good idea of when your paint project will happen; make plans to keep your pets out of the area that will be painted. If your whole house will need painted and your pet cannot stay outside; ask a friend to help watch them or find an animal kennel you can bring them to. We have heard great things about Willamette Valley Dog and Cat Motel! No matter how friendly your pet is; paint is one thing you don’t want them getting into! The painters cannot be efficient at getting their work done if they are trying to keep your pets out of the paint. Or worse; cleaning up paint messes of cute paw prints tracked all over your floor! 😉
4. Remove Knick-Knacks and Pictures
To help us save time (and you money), you will want to remove all the pictures from your walls and any shelving or knick-knacks from the room. Also remove rugs, TV’s and other electronics. Large furniture should be moved to the center of the room, at least 3 feet away from each wall. The painter will cover it with plastic and drop cloths. Do not pile *all* of your things into a mountain in the middle of the room though; bring your things somewhere safe and make your walls ready for paint! You also need to remove clothes and other items from closets that need painted. You can expect painters to move large items for you like refrigerators, washers, dryers, couches etc… But please remove all your other belongings before the painters arrive. If your ceiling is being painted as well, the room will need to be 70% empty.
5. Go Enjoy A Vacation!
Not to be rude— Painters love to chat with customers and get to know you! If you only are having one or two rooms painted and you don’t need to be in them all the time; that’s different! We would love for you to stick around and tell us about your life and your adventures!
But!I If you have scheduled a full interior painting project, join me on this imaginary journey…
The painters have been in your house all day and you just return home from work.
You’re feeling like you need a snack so you try to get into your masked off freezer for some pizza rolls. You glance at your oven and see it is also covered in plastic. A moment of irritation passes… You decide to leave and get some food somewhere else. Your fingers peel at tape so you can make your way through the doorway of plastic.
You return with your food. The daylight has faded away and you need to turn on the light. The switch is covered in paper. The light is dim and covered in plastic. The drive-through forgot to give you a fork…You complete the obstacle course of getting into your silverware drawer.
Now you want to relax and watch some TV. Then you remember that your TV is in another room covered in a drop cloth and so is your couch. You decide to go to bed. If you are lucky; that won’t be covered yet… You stare into the hazy paint dust and wonder what you are doing here….
That was enjoyable right?! 😉
Your house is not the place you want to be when you are having interior painting done! Trust us! Once your appointment time is confirmed; make plans to go anywhere but home! Stay at the coast or in a fun air-bnb or even just a hotel or friend’s house for the duration of your project! Almost everyone loves coming home after a getaway! Imagine how much fun coming home will be after a fresh paint job!
Keeping these steps in mind will make your interior painting experience much more pleasant! Don’t stress! Just remember to stay in contact with your painter so that you get updates regarding your project. Put your possessions somewhere safe and out of the way, and plan a fun getaway for yourselves and your pets! 😉
Thank you for taking the time to read this to be prepared for your upcoming interior painting project! If you have not scheduled with us yet and would like an estimate, click here, or call 541 600 2025! Have an Awesome Day!
You already fell for my cheesy title, so why stop there! We all know there are literally thousands of crafts and DIY projects you can do to help bring in the season. Stores are overflowing with things colored yellow and orange and rusty red. Throw-pillows and gourds and fake leaves abound! There are Soooooo many things you can make and buy and thoughtfully place in your home…annnnd then put into storage in 2 months….It is a bit overwhelming to some of us. These 5 ideas you can just throw away when the snow comes! You can watch them Fall right into the trash can alongside your moldy carved pumpkin that withered away by the front door…Ahhh I can smell it already 😉
Dried Corn Stalks are the perfect way to bring some fall feels to your front entry! If you grow your own corn, all you need to do is remove the corn from the plant and then cut the stalks at the base about 5 days before you decorate. Hang them upside down in the sun to dry until they are a nice golden brown! If you do not grow your own corn, you can usually find stalks at farmers markets. Sometimes they will even be dried already!
5 Creative ways to use for fall
1. Add Sunflowers or Cat- Tails or anything you like and place next to the front door!
2. Place inside in a tall, narrow planter pot and keep inside.
3. Use pieces of the dried leaves from the stalks to accent a wreath.
4. Decorate fence posts!
5. Use as kindling for Bonfire …saved the best for last 😉 Bonfires are Superior to trash cans. Tis the Season!
2. Mini Pumpkins
Fall Decor – Mini Pumpkins
These little guys are just required. You can put them anywhere and it just works. On the table, in the windowsill, even on the back of the toilet! Anywhere you can think of- it works!
5 Creative ways to use for fall
1. Make a centerpiece on your kitchen table using a variety of mini gourds and pumpkins and leaves.
2. Use outside on front steps or on hay bales.. The more the merrier!
3. Place on top of candle holders- You can spray paint them gold, black, and white for a different fall feel
4. Fill a large lantern, glass jar, or see through wire basket.
5. Make a fall game for trick or treaters and use them to hit targets/make baskets!
You probably don’t want to use these Indoors…but they provide a lot of character for your outdoor decor! I am pretty sure you can order fake hay bales online if you have an allergy, however that defeats the simplistic purpose of this article… But as someone who suffers from allergies- I won’t hold it against you 😉
5 Creative ways to use for fall
1. Use to add height near entry to emphasize other decorations such as pumpkins, lanterns, and wooden signs.
2. Place loose hay underneath pumpkin centerpiece. Use a large tray or bowl for less mess!
Personally, I always use pine cones in my decor. I just love them! But the best thing about them is that they can make the transition into winter decor no problem! That saves you having to think twice!
5 Creative ways to use for fall
1. A table centerpiece is a going theme for this blog.. what can I say!
2. Glue onto door wreath with sticks and herbs for a multi-seasonal effect.
3. Place near pumpkins, apples, sunflowers or hay bales for contrast and detail.
4. Dip in melted wax of any color and add glitter! (My grandmother’s project!)
5. Make Cinnamon Pine Cones!
5. Wheat
Fall Decor – Wheat
Wheat is an excellent way to bring a little bit of fall around without clashing with what you already have! This is probably the most versatile fall decoration of them all!
5 Creative ways to use for fall
1. Cut off the top of a pumpkin and use it as a vase for the wheat.
2. Make bundles of wheat and wrap a fall colored ribbon around them and put them anywhere!
3. Another easy way to make a wreath: glue on some leaves and flowers and wah-la!
4. Add Cat-tails to your arrangement for added interest!
5. Another excellent addition to the Bonfire!!!
Hopefully this article helps you find some fall decorations that don’t break the bank! That way you can spend more on Salted Caramel Lattes! 😉 Enjoy your Bonfire!!! (One more thing you can add to the bonfire is a Pumpkin Spice Latte! Bleh! 😉 )
If you have any house painting questions or needs please give us a call at 541-600-2025 or click here to book an estimate now!
When it comes time to paint our home’s interior; the first decision we have to make is whether to hire a professional house painter or just do it ourselves. For some of us it is an easy choice! But if you fall into the “others of us” category….keep reading! There are pros and cons to both- so let’s jump into it!
Price Point: Doing the work yourself will cost less money. Usually this is still the case even if you have to buy a ladder or tools!
Your Time: You can do the work on your schedule, whenever it is convenient for you. No rush. No strangers in your house!
End Result: You can be as picky as you want to be! The job is not done until you say it is done! 😉
You Da Boss: You’re in charge of everything: surface prep, masking, paint selection, material costs, you name it! You want to skip a step? No one can stop you!!! Muahaha!
Cons
Price Point: Doing the work yourself will cost more time. Which currency is more important to you? Time or Money?
Your Time: Youwill spend more time on this project than a professional will, due to lack of experience and efficient tools.
End Result: Moooost of the time the end result is not going to be as nice as it would be if a professional were to paint for you.
You Da Boss: It can be a lot to make sense of: which materials, how much material, and where to even begin! Don’t forget to give yourself a good warranty! …wait! 😉
While the painting itself might be totally up your alley; a lot of other work goes into an interior painting project that often gets overlooked… at first… Things like moving or covering furniture, masking or removing light fixtures, sanding and cleaning trim…. Knowing which materials are going to work best for you is a whole other pile of research you will need to do if you don’t want to waste money on things you don’t need. However, some people really enjoy this process and love the sense accomplishment and capability at the end! And then there are the “others of us” again…. hahah Just keep reading if that is you!
Interior Painting by Professional
Pros
Efficiency: Professionals have a system they follow day to day. They will get a lot of work done in a short amount of time.
Knowledge: They already know which methods and products will work best for reaching your project goals.
Experience: Skills improve with consistency! You get good at painting in a straight line when you do it every day!
Tools: Ladders, Paint Sprayers, Hand Maskers, Extension Poles, Vacuum Sanders, Drop Cloths…. They have what they need to do the job right. This is Especially beneficial if your home has tall walls and ceilings or other challenging obstacles.
Warranty: Most professionals have a warranty on their work, and if something goes wrong they will take care of it- sometimes for years!
End Result: Crisp and Clean! (disclaimer: it DOES matter WHO you hire – if you’d like some tips about that click here!)
Cons
Price Point: It will cost you some dollars. You could probably try and fail to paint your own house a couple times before it cost the same amount of money.
Personal Space: You will have painters and plastic all up in your face and in your doorways. You might not have doorknobs. This doesn’t have to be a con though… Its an excellent time for a vacation!!! Or fun conversations with painters!
You Da Boss… with limitations: You and the contractor will put together a plan based on what your goals are. You still get to make decisions but there is a point at which you can no longer change your mind “for free”. They have a schedule to stick to; and as much as they will try to accommodate you, they have already made and agreed upon plans with other customers too. If you have big changes or additions, they might have to be scheduled at a separate time.
When you hire a professional to do your painting, there are a lot less things you have to figure out alone! Some professionals will even send out a color consultant to help you choose your paint colors. They have everything they need to come in and do the job efficiently and effectively. They have insurance in case anything Were to happen (idk about you but I (the wife) am much more likely to spill paint on the floor than my husband, the painter 😉 ).
Either choice can be a good one depending on what your goals are and who You are. If you have a particularly challenging job with damaged walls or peeling paint or some other obstacle that makes it so you can’t just roll it out; give us a call at 541-600-2025. We would love to come out and give you an estimate so you can make the decision that is best for you! If you’d like to book an estimate with us online- click here!
If you’re planning to sell a home in spring, prepare now for the crucial job of luring home shoppers. Homes that look loved and well-maintained get more attention — and first impressions matter: Most buyers will make their buying decision as they are coming up the front walk.
We put a little guide together to for a quick fix to getting the front of the home ready to sell.
4. Pressure-wash the walls
Mold, mildew, cobwebs, wasp nests, dead bugs, and gutter run-off are all the beginning of a long list of things buyers aren’t excited to see when viewing a home. You want to make sure your careful when you do this because too much pressure and you could damage the paint finish or the siding but, if not enough then the walls won’t look clean. Paying a professional to wash the home pictured would cost around $350
3. Clean the windows
If you’ve got kids in the home, as I do, then you probably know where this is going. As cute as those little buggers are the fingerprints on the window have got to go. If the outsides didn’t get clean during a pressure wash. There are affordable solutions that can be bought at a hardware store for quick and easy cleaning.
A professional can clean the windows on this home above for about $10/per window
2. Repaint the front door
There aren’t many places in the home that get as much attention as the front door. Painting really does rise or fall on the prep work. Be sure to sand the door to a dull finish before applying a paint product. Usually, the safest bet is to go with a neutral color and semi-gloss sheen. The semi-gloss is important when it comes to clean up. Satin or flat paint doesn’t clean as well and with many potential buyers coming through that door you want to keep it clean.
Typically a Professional painter has a minimum charge of $400 per day + materials. They have the right tools to get a smooth sprayed finish on the door that’ll definitely score points with prospective buyers. To make sure you get your value with them add a bedroom, bathroom, or ceiling to maximize the 8 hours you paid for.
1.Clean or replace exterior lighting
New porch lights will go a long way. Nearly every paint job we do ends up with repainted, cleaned, or new light fixtures. Many of the motion sensing lights have plastic covers over the “eye” that get brittle and crack over time leaving you with a very worn and tired appearance.
New lights could run $30 or more.
Repainting the lights starts at $20 based on complexity
Cleaning the lights could be free depending on the condition of the metals or plastics on the light
Overall this is definitely a valuable change to increase the curb appeal.
I hope you found this helpful in planning to put your home up for sale. If you are in the area and would like help getting this done we can refer skilled professionals for each step of the process and even a listing agent if need be.
Painting the inside of your home is an interesting undertaking. There are two sorts of people out there.
The first, they think the house is near empty, we live pretty minimalistic and it should be quick and easy.
The Second, we think our house is a disaster zone, a minefield of legos and half-eaten chicken nuggets(maybe?) and the thought of painting seems an insurmountable task.
For either scenario, we have outlined a few of the major details to help prepare you for a project. These tips will ensure things are done right, with little risk, and massive reward. Finally, you can move those pictures. This will help you as much as the painter. Those pictures are going to have to move right? Now is the time to redecorate the walls. New pictures can go up after painting and the holes from the old hangings will be gone. Think about what will go back up on the wall and what will be relocated or removed. Our standard that we practice with our current customers is very simple. “If it’s going back up leave the nails because open holes get filled.” Less is more. This isn’t cleaning necessarily, this is sort of like excavation for group two. The painter values your belonging and space as much as you do. The fewer items left in an area the better. The more you can move out of a space the less the painter has to cover. The painter gets more room to work and you have fewer valuables at risk during the project. This is what we call a win-win. Make a plan for your furry friends. Have you ever seen a blue painted heeler? How about alabaster feline paw prints across the wood floor? We haven’t figured out what it is that attracts pets or small children to wet paint but we have seen how far they can spread that paint. In most cases, the furry companion gets shut in a room not included in the project or put in a backyard but depending on your project you may need a more robust solution Choose your color. Have you ever had that color anxiety? You picked out a color on a tiny little panel and this is supposed to give you a vision of what your entire home will look like. If you are like most people you are in a sort of paralysis until the color starts to go on the wall. That’s when panic hits! Is that the right color? Should it look like that? Am i thinking clearly? If you struggle with color selection, ask your painter for a color consultation. Some painters do this themselves for a fee or will refer you to a designer that can help you narrow the field and find a range that suits your taste.
I hope you found this an interesting project and please contact me with questions or comments.
Shawn Derby, owner
Sir Paints A Lot
sirpaints.com
Sir Paints A Lot