New Jersey Homeowners: Paint Your House Yourself Or Hire A Pro

Spring has been taking its time to make its way to New Jersey, but it finally seems to be here to stay. With that, there's no excuse to keep putting off your spring home improvement projects. If your home needs a new coat of paint, inside or out, now's the time.

But before you head to the home improvement store, you might want to consider the benefits of hiring a contractor. We've weighed the pros and cons to both scenarios.

Interior Painting Projects

Of the two, interior painting projects are definitely more manageable to DIY, since they aren’t subjected to the elements. That said, be sure to research your paint choice, proper wall preparation and good taping techniques before you get started. You also might consider renting a professional-grade paint sprayer for larger jobs.

Before you head to Home Depot, get estimates from a few local contractors and compare them to the hours and material expenses of doing it yourself. While of course there will be an added cost of labor, you might be surprised at just how reasonable a professional quote can be when you consider your time and materials.

Need a professional painter? Find one in your area.

Exterior Painting Projects

This is where DIYers can get into trouble. Paint and even color selection will play a role in how long your paint job lasts, and a few beginner errors can add up to premature aging and poor protection. (Exterior paint is your home’s first defense against the elements.)

While a large-scale exterior paint job may seem expensive, the cost of hiring a pro is more than justified. Their know-how on paint brands for your area, scaffolding, professional sanding and preparation techniques make the project safer and more effective. They’ll also get the job done faster than the huge time commitment it would require of you. When you consider all of these factors, hiring a pro makes a lot more sense.

How To Hire A Painting Contractor

Many companies specialize in interior or exterior painting, so ask your contractor which they are more comfortable with. You’ll want to get a few quotes to price shop, but beware of lowball estimates. The best companies often have to charge more to hire the best workers and obtain the best equipment.

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