A good painting crew will protect your home carefully, but the first morning goes far better when a few things are decided and handled ahead of time. Here is what helps, what to leave to us, and the decisions that should be made before the start date.
What to handle before the crew arrives
- Wall hangings and shelves. Take down art, mirrors, clocks, and anything on the walls being painted. Leave the nails if the item is going back in the same spot; tell us if you want holes filled.
- Small and fragile items. Clear tabletops, mantels, and shelves of breakables, plants, and electronics in the rooms being painted.
- Closets and built-ins. If the inside is being painted, it needs to be empty. If not, we mask the opening.
- Window treatments. Drapes and blinds are usually removed by the crew, but let us know about anything delicate or custom.
- Pets. Plan where they will be during work hours. Doors are open, floors are covered, and curious noses find wet paint.
- Access. Decide how the crew enters, where vehicles park, and where tools and materials can be staged.
What the crew handles
Large furniture is moved to the center of the room and fully covered. Floors are protected with the method the surface needs: rosin paper, drop cloths, or hard protection on finished hardwood. Fixtures, hardware, registers, and switches are masked or removed. The protection plan is written into your proposal so you know exactly what is covered.
Decisions to make before the start date
- Final colors and sheens. Drawdowns on the wall should be reviewed and approved before the crew is scheduled. Changing a color mid-project costs time and material.
- Ceilings and closets. Confirm what is in scope; these are the most common "I assumed" items.
- Hardware. New door hardware or hinges should be on site if they are being installed.
- Sequencing. Tell us which rooms you need usable and when, so the schedule works around your household.
During the project
You will know when the crew arrives each day, what stage the work is in, and what decisions remain. If something comes up, a repair that is larger than it looked or a surface that behaves differently once opened, it is documented and discussed before anything changes in scope.
At the end
The finish is reviewed in detail by us first, then walked with you. Furniture goes back, protection comes off, and you receive care guidance: cure times, cleaning methods, and how to store the touch-up paint we leave behind.
Questions about how a project runs are answered on our process page, and the FAQ covers the ones we hear most.
Questions on this topic
Do I need to be home while painters work?
Not usually. Many homeowners provide access and go about their day. Being reachable for questions and present for the walkthroughs is what matters.
Should I remove outlet covers and switch plates?
No. The crew removes and reinstalls them as part of preparation.
How long before I can hang pictures again?
Paint is dry to the touch quickly but cures over weeks. Light hanging is fine within a day or two; avoid heavy cleaning or scrubbing until the finish has cured. Care guidance is provided at closeout.
What if I change my mind on a color?
Before production starts, easily. After a room is coated, a color change is a repaint of that room and is documented as a scope change so there are no surprises on the invoice.