Painting your home's exterior is an intensive project that requires careful planning and detail-oriented execution. In some cases, it may be best to hire a trained painting contractor, as they'll have received the proper training and should have valuable experience to get the job done right. To find the right contractor, asking around and asking potential contractors for references may be a good start. Also search the Internet for reviews from trustworthy sources and past clients. If you decide to go it alone, be sure to carefully plan the project, as this is the first step in a successful paint job.

The first thing you'll have to do is decide what color scheme you'd like to use for your home's exterior. Keep your eyes open when you're out and about for ideas, or search the Internet for homes you like. Consider the color scheme of your neighbors' homes, and try to avoid colors that clash while choosing colors that complement other homes in the area.

Once you've decided on a color scheme, estimate the amount of paint that you'll need to finish the job. Figure out the area of ​​the walls to be painted and be sure to buy plenty of extra paint. It's better to have too much paint than too little, as unused paint is good to have for touch-ups through the years. Do not skimp on the quality of paint, either. It's better to purchase quality paint at a higher price than purchase cheap paint at a lower price, as the high quality paint will likely look better and should last longer.

Next, make sure that you have all of the appropriate equipment. This includes brushes, rollers, ladders, buckets, etc. Make a checklist before heading to the home improvement store. Also be sure to pick up some caulk to make sure your home is sealed properly. Drop clothes and painter tape is also important to cover the ground and other items to protect them from accidental spills. Be considerate to your neighbors as well and cover their bushhes and property to avoid awkward situations.

Once you're ready to go, go through your preparations one more time. Be sure to take your time, consider practicing before beginning if you've never painted before, and make sure you pay attention to the details. Careful planning and patience is often the difference between a finely painted exterior and a shoddy job that requires either a redo or the hiring of a painting contractor to fix the job.

Article originally published at Source by David Fregosi