How to Get Your Home Ready for Painters

A little preparation before the painters arrive makes the job faster, cleaner and less disruptive for your household. You do not need to empty your rooms or move heavy furniture: a professional crew handles that. This checklist covers what helps, room by room, for houses and condos across Toronto and the GTA.

A week before

• Confirm colours and finishes. Changing a colour on the first morning can delay the whole schedule.
• Book the elevator if you live in a condo. Most buildings need notice for contractors and a protected route through the lobby.
• Plan parking. Crews arrive with ladders, drop sheets and paint. A driveway spot or a visitor permit saves time.
• Tell the painter about anything unusual: a fragile antique, a piano, a home office you need on certain days.

The day before

Focus on small things that only you should handle:

• Take down pictures, mirrors, curtains and wall-mounted decor you would rather remove yourself.
• Put away small valuables, breakables, electronics and anything on shelves or dressers.
• Clear the tops of furniture and empty closets that are being painted.
• Unplug electronics near the walls and back up anything you are worried about.

At Lumen Painting the crew moves furniture to the middle of the room, covers it, protects floors and fixtures, and puts everything back when the room is finished.

Pets, kids and daily routines

Wet paint, open paint cans and ladders do not mix well with curious pets or small children. Plan a room where pets can stay comfortably, or arrange a day at a friend's place. Let the crew know your morning routine, school pick-up times and any rooms you need at a certain time of day, so the schedule can work around them.

Ventilation and odour

Modern interior paints are much lower in odour than older ones, but fresh air still helps paint dry and clears the smell faster. Open windows when the weather allows, and keep bedroom doors open during the day if those rooms are being painted. If anyone in your home is sensitive to smells, mention it at the estimate so low-odour products can be planned.

During the job

• Expect the crew to work room by room, with clear paths kept open through the house.
• Ask which rooms will be off-limits each day; a good painter tells you in advance.
• Avoid hanging pictures or pushing furniture against fresh walls for a day or two.
• Point out anything you want touched up as you go; it is easier to fix while the crew is there.

After the walkthrough

At the end of the job, walk through each room in good daylight with the crew lead. Keep the leftover paint, labelled by room, for future touch-ups. At Lumen Painting we also record the colour, product and finish used in each area, so future work matches.

Room by room

• Kitchen: clear the counters and the tops of the fridge and cabinets, and empty anything stored on open shelves.
• Bathrooms: put away toiletries, towels and anything on the vanity or the back of the toilet.
• Bedrooms: strip the bed if you prefer, and empty the closets that are being painted.
• Living room and office: unplug and move electronics away from the walls, and pack away books and ornaments from shelves on painted walls.

Getting ready for exterior painting

Outside work needs a different kind of preparation. Move patio furniture, barbecues and planters a few feet away from the house, and trim back shrubs and branches that touch the walls. Keep cars out of the driveway if the crew is painting the garage or the front of the house, and make sure an outdoor tap and an outlet are available. If you have a dog, plan for gates being opened and closed during the day.

Questions to ask before day one

• What time will the crew arrive and leave each day?
• Which rooms or sides of the house will be done first?
• Where will the crew set up paint and equipment?
• How is clean-up handled at the end of each day?
• Who is the contact person if something comes up?

Clear answers to these questions are a good sign. A professional painter is happy to plan the details with you before work starts.

Ready to plan your project? Book a free estimate, or see what our residential painting service includes.

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