How to Prepare Your Home for Professional Painters: The Ultimate Guide
Giving your home a makeover with new paint is certainly a satisfying project—one that can make you feel quite accomplished when the summer is gone. Hiring a professional house painter will revive your dull walls, reinvigorate your tired spaces, and add more value to your home. However, before the painters enter your house and touch your walls, you have an important task to complete: get your home ready.
Now, many homeowners assume their house’s mess is the painters’ responsibility. That is not the case. Professional painters have no clue what things you consider treasure or trash in your home, so only you can put them in the right place. Proper preparation not only safeguards your belongings but also helps ensure a seamless, high-quality, and timely completion of the project.
This blog will outline everything you need to do before the painting job starts, saving you time and money and from unnecessary stress.
General Preparation: Set the Stage for Success
Professional painters are always careful, but accidents can still happen. It’s best to take a proactive approach to safeguard furniture and decor that might be damaged. Doing so makes the room clutter-free, which is essential in a house painting project.
Clear and Clean the Space
Before the painters arrive, remove clutter and create a clear work area.
Remove or cover furniture pieces and home decor.
Dust and vacuum the room to remove or reduce airborne particles that can ruin the paint finish.
Wipe the walls with a damp cloth or one dipped into a mild soap solution to remove dust, fingerprints, and grease—especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and near light switches. Clean walls provide better adhesion and a smoother finish, ultimately improving the longevity of the paint job.
Communicate Instructions Clearly
If you have special requests, such as specific colors for each room or areas to avoid, make these instructions explicit. Put up signs that are visible and easy to reference.
Label rooms or walls with taped notes.
Provide a written checklist if there are multiple instructions or preferences.
Clarify access points, pet considerations, or any off-limits zones.
This level of communication ensures that painters deliver the results you expect—without second guesses.
Protecting Your Property: What to Remove or Secure
Even the most trusted painting contractor in your area is still a stranger in your home. To avoid later conflicts about missing or damaged items, homeowners are advised to secure their belongings.
Remove Fragile and Decorative Items
Take down all items hanging on or near the walls:
Artwork, mirrors, and photographs
Shelves, wall hooks, and decorative pieces
Window treatments (curtains, rods, blinds)
Place them in a separate room or storage bin to prevent accidental damage.
Secure Personal and Valuable Items
Lock away jewelry, electronics, and important documents.
Remove small electronics like speakers or routers that may interfere with the work.
Protecting your possessions allows you to focus on the project without worrying about potential mishaps.
Items to Buy That Help with Preparation
Even though your painter might bring drop cloths and masking tape, having a few items on hand can go a long way in keeping your home in order.
Here are some items that may come in handy when repainting a home:
Painter’s tape: To label things or mark areas not to paint
Ziploc bags or small containers: To store screws, nails, and hardware from removed fixtures
Plastic or drop cloths: For covering furniture or floors
Cleaning wipes or a mild soap solution: Can be used when wiping the walls before painting
A step ladder: For removing curtains or wall hangings
Large boxes or bins: As temporary storage for loose items. It also helps that they are transparent, so you can locate your things easily after the paint job.
Think of these items as tools to help you stay organized and efficient throughout the prep process.
Prepare the Walls and Floors
While your painters usually do the bulk of surface prepping like sanding and priming, a few steps on your part can make their job easier and can help them focus on the painting itself.
Walls: Ensure a Paint-Ready Surface
Spot-clean problem areas like smudges or grease spots.
Remove adhesives, stickers, or tape residue.
Patch minor holes if you feel comfortable doing so—or point them out to your painter.
A clean, even surface helps the paint adhere properly and dry evenly.
Floors: Prevent Spills and Scuffs
Sweep or vacuum floors to remove dirt and debris.
Remove area rugs and mats.
Lay additional protective coverings over sensitive flooring (e.g., hardwood, tile).
When floors are clean and well-covered, painters can move confidently—and your home stays protected.
Light Fixtures and Switch Plates: Avoid Paint Splashes
If not included in your painter’s scope, you can:
Unscrew and label light switch and outlet covers.
Remove light fixtures or cover them with plastic to avoid paint splatter.
These small tasks help create cleaner edges and a more polished result.
Planning Your Day-to-Day During the Project
If the household decides to stay in while the project is ongoing, there are adjustments to be made, and you must communicate them with everyone in your house before the painting day. Painting, especially interior painting, can interrupt your routines. You need to:
Relocate pets to a quiet room or have them stay with a friend during the project.
Inform children about areas considered off-limits so they will not accidentally knock off painters’ tools.
Let children and other family members with respiratory problems stay out of the house if the paint smell becomes unbearable.
Prepare alternate spaces for activities normally done in the affected rooms.
By planning your movements during the project, you avoid unnecessary stress and help the painters stay on schedule.
Confirm Expectations with Your Painter
Professional painters appreciate informed and proactive clients. Before painting begins:
Walk through the home together and clarify your expectations.
Ask what prep work they will handle and what they recommend you do.
Review the timeline, start and end dates, and any access needs (e.g., keys, alarms, parking, gate passes).
Establishing clear communication leads to better outcomes and mutual respect throughout the project.
Why Preparation Matters
Investing time in preparation is one of the smartest things you can do before hiring a painter. A well-prepared home:
Speeds up the painting process
Reduces the risk of damage or error
Enhances the quality and durability of the paint finish
Saves you money in the long run
At the end of the day, painting is a collaborative effort. Your painting crew brings the expertise, and your thoughtful preparation ensures an optimal environment for their best work.
Get Ready to Transform Your Space
Planning to paint your home? Your role in getting it ready is just as crucial as your painters’ brushstrokes. Take these steps to prep with confidence and set the stage for a successful project. If you’re looking for a trusted house painter in Washington State, Queen Anne Painting is a local contractor that values communication, cleanliness, and craftsmanship.
Reach out for a consultation, and let’s make your home look its absolute best.