What does it take to be a professional house painter? There’s not much required beyond basic art skills. However, if you think you have what it takes, it helps to have a few credentials. House painters are usually called upon to do several tasks during a home renovation or building project, including painting, stucco or siding, caulking, and even finishing plaster on the walls.
Painting is one of the more enjoyable, low-key, but critical duties of house painters. It is an essential aspect of the process for the painter to know where to go and what to do. The work usually takes place on the first visit to the house after the painting has begun. Painters will need to access all the work areas and determine where the image is to be done, whether on the interior or exterior walls. When doing interior wall painting, painters will generally start with an area with a uniform color or shade.
Painting finishes vary depending on the quality of the paint chosen. For example, some paints dry somewhat quickly and harden a bit, while others take much longer to dry. Some surfaces may even need to be pre-primed before painters can begin. With painting on the outside of a home, painters must often protect the house from weather conditions. Many times this can be accomplished by sealing the surfaces to make them resistant to water damage. Once the painting is completed, the job becomes “done,” The job painters return to the site for another application or cleanup.
Other duties of house painters include caulking and siding. Caulking prevents water from reaching the underlying materials of a house and allows for a sturdier roof. Siding is similar to siding done on the outside of a home. It seals siding to prevent moisture from penetrating inside a house and affecting the structure. Many house painters also do roof painting because it is a difficult task for most painters.
Some house painters specialize in only a particular type of painting. For example, some specialize in interior house painters, while others will do exterior house painting. If a homeowner is considering hiring painters to do a specific job, ask to see examples of their work. Find out if they have experience doing the job in your style of building. This will help you choose the appropriate painter.
Ask house painters about the types of equipment they use. Some painters work with sprayers, while others may work with touch equipment. There are pros and cons to using each type of equipment. For example, when a painter is spraying a room inside a home, he will need to bring in a portable sprayer; however, the homeowner doesn’t need to bring any additional equipment when doing exterior painting.
Find out the cost of hiring house painters. Although the cost of some painting jobs will be higher than others, many house painters will price their services competitively. This is good news for busy working individuals or those who have tight budgets. For those who can’t afford to hire professional painters, many times hiring a reliable friend or family member is the best alternative.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for references. This will help you get a better idea of how well the house painters do their job. A friend or family member will usually be more honest with these types of jobs than a house painter who isn’t a regular customer. This will make it easier to find the best painters to hire for any job.