You have some painting to be done. The only question now is whether you should hire someone to come in and do the work for you or do it yourself.

Sure, doing it yourself will save you some money, but you can’t beat the finish that a professional gets, especially on the more difficult jobs. The truth is, there are some paint jobs that you can do yourself and some that are best left to the professionals.

Let’s find out which is which. 

3 Projects It’s OK To DIY

Interior Rooms

If you have a simple room to paint, then you can probably get the job done yourself. However, you can’t beat the results that a professional will give you, so you should take your time when you are painting. 

Decks

As long as you don’t have a tall or complex deck, you should be able to take on the task. The key here is to find the right equipment, especially a brush that can deal with exterior wood without breaking up.  

Fences

Painting a fence uses much the same equipment as a deck, so why not do them at the same time. You might even find it fun to rent a paint sprayer and have the deck done in no time. Just be careful not to spray any plants or flowers. 

When NOT To DIY

High Ceilings

High ceilings can be a real problem. Even if you have everything covered, there is still paint that is going to be dripping on you, and you are likely to end with an uneven finish. Professionals have the right equipment to get closer to the ceiling and to paint a perfect finish that is not going to draw the eye to any flaws. 

Cabinets

While painting cabinets may seem like a small job, it is hard to get a professional finish without lots of experience. Cabinets are usually a focal point, and the slightest flaw can ruin them. A professional contractor will have the patience and skills to get the best finish, creating a room where you will be proud to host. 

Exterior

Painting the exterior of your home may seem like a rugged and simple task, but it takes more skill for a couple of reasons. First, there are often heights involved. Whenever there are heights, there are risks. A professional has the equipment to mitigate those risks. Second, painting your exterior is as much about protection as it is about beauty. If not done well, your home is not going to be protected.

Feature Walls

You want to add a special wall in your home and make it the focal point of your room, and this seems like something that you should be able to do yourself, but we recommend leaving that to the professionals too. That wall is going to draw the eye, and the slightest imperfection can ruin the room. A professional touch will give you a professional finish. 

Molding

This may seem like another small job, but it is always the finicky jobs that should be left to the professionals. There is a lot of preparation needed to ensure that you do not get any paint on anything else, lots of transitioning between areas and rooms, and detailed work that can easily go wrong. The molding is usually a lighter color than the walls, and any drips or paint marks left in the finish will be very noticeable. 

Prepping For DIY

If you are planning on doing the work yourself, then there is some prep work that you should do before you get started. This will help to speed up the painting process and ensure that the work is the best that it can be.

Gather Materials

This is the most important part of the process. If you have to run out for extra supplies in the middle of your paint job, you are only going to be taking up your own valuable time. Be sure that you have all of the paint that you need, accurately calculating your coverage, and have enough primer too. 

You will need paintbrushes, rollers, rags, drop cloths, paint thinner, painters tape, and coveralls. Depending on the type of project, you might need more specific equipment. 

Take Your Time

Now that you are started, take your time. Professionals get a professional finish through experience. You will need to take your time to achieve the same result (unless you have extensive painting experience). 

Cleanup

The cleanup is an important part of the process. Make sure to clean up any drips or spills immediately, and clean all of your equipment when you are done so that it can be reused.

3 Pros of DIY

Cost

When you do the job yourself, you are not spending any money on labor. This is the main reason why people choose to do the work themselves, and you can save a lot, up to 40% on some jobs, and that allows you to invest in better paint or professional equipment. 

Flexibility

Sometimes, you don’t know when you are free to have the work done, or it might be hard to commit to a certain time for someone else to come into your home. By doing it yourself, you can do the work whenever you want. You also have the flexibility to change the work once started. If you put some paint on and don’t like it, you have the option of starting again. 

Control

When you have someone in to do the painting, you relinquish some of your control. If you decide to go it alone, you are the one in charge. If you don’t like a color, you can change it; if you want an extra coat of paint, you can have that; and if you want additional painting done, there is no problem adding it to the work. 

3 Pros Of Hiring A Professional

Professional Finish

When you call in the professionals, you get a professional finish that you cannot replicate yourself. That means flawless walls, attention to detail, and experienced problem-solving. You also have insurance in the case that something goes wrong, and that comes in the form of the insurance that contractors carry. Mistakes or not, you are going to end with a professional job.

Save Time

The main benefit of letting someone else do the work is that you have that time to do something else. You could have the professionals paint while you are working, or you could just relax instead. Painting can take time, especially if it is a large job or something more difficult like cabinet work. Let the pros do the work and you can kick back. 

Professional Tools

You may have heard the phrase that a worker is only as good as their tools. Instead of investing in professional tools, you could enlist the professionals who come with their own professional tools. The better your tools, the better the finish is going to be. Even investing in a decent paintbrush is going to make a difference in how the finished paint job looks. Pay a professional and don’t worry about the tools. 

Average Cost Of Hiring A Painter

Interior Room

The average cost for interior rooms is $2-$4 per square foot, so much of the final cost will depend on the size of the room. You also need to take into account the contractor. More experience will mean more cost, but you can find deals if you shop around. For a single room, expect to pay anywhere between $200-$1,000.

Cabinets

The average cost of cabinet painting for a kitchen is between $400 and $1,200. The bulk of the cost is the labor, and this comes in between $20-$50 per hour, so the more cabinets you have to paint, the higher the cost. Around $200-$600 will be spent on the materials. The best way to save money when you are having your cabinets painted is to combine it with another painting job. 

Exterior

Look to spend $2-$6 per square foot or $20-$50 per hour, for a total cost of $1,000-$6,000 for your entire exterior. Once again, the size of the house will make a difference, but you also have to think of any obstacles. If the house is extremely tall, then extra expenses will be needed to cover any erected scaffolding.