How To Save Money Painting Your Home DIY

Are you considering whether to paint your home yourself vs. hiring a professional painter? Painting your home can be a daunting task, but with some preparation and the right tools, it’s not as hard as you may think. In addition to learning a new skill, it’s going to save you a lot of money! The most important thing to keep in mind is that painting isn’t just about slapping on a coat of paint-it’s about properly preparing the surface and then applying a layer or two (or three) of color.

Supplies That You Will Need

The supplies you need for painting your own home aren’t all that expensive. You can pick them up at your local home depot or order them off of Amazon.

You’ll need these supplies to get started:

• Paint – any type will do, although oil-based paints are usually best for large areas because they adhere better than latex paints.
• Primer – this is an optional step, but using primer before painting ensures that your fresh coats of paint won’t peel off later.
• Brushes – use synthetic bristles instead of natural ones when painting with oil-based paints. You’ll also need smoother brushes for trim and rolling surfaces, and smaller brushes for edging along baseboards and covering awkward spots like corners.
• Drop cloths – these coverings will help protect your floors from drips and spills, so you don’t have to worry about damaging them while you paint. >Sponges – a couple of sponges will come in handy for wiping up spills and smudges. >Paint tray – this is critical for dishes that you use to mix paints, thinners, and other chemicals.
• Painter’s tape – if using cutting-in around the edges of your walls isn’t something you’re comfortable doing, then you’ll need this tape to cover the edges of your trim.
• Plastic sheeting – this will protect floors and other surfaces when you’re painting around them with a roller.
• Heavy-duty drop cloths – these covers are great for protecting furniture and other pieces that don’t need to be covered with plastic sheeting.
• Paint roller – you’ll need one with a long handle for your walls, and a smaller one to paint the moldings.
• Paintbrush – this is good for cutting-in around any surfaces that are too difficult to cover with tape, like ceilings or high trim pieces.

Just remember to take your time with this project, because rushing through the prep work will just cause you more headaches in the future when you have to fix it all.

DIY Painting Tips:

1. Don’t skimp out on drop cloths and painter’s tape; they’re your best defense against messes.

2. Cover furniture, flooring, and other surfaces before you get started or else they’ll be coated in paint too!

3. Invest in good quality brushes for trim work to ensure that your cuts are clean with no bleed-through.

4. Test different paints by applying samples on the back of a closet door; you can always go back and touch them up later.

Bottom Line

You’ll save a lot of money by doing the work yourself. Trust me, if you have the time to spare, the cost savings is significant. Most professional painters would charge you between $200-$500 per room that you need to paint. The actual supply for needed for a DIY job may be less than $40 per room. On the flip side, saving money will cost you time and effort. When I first started painting walls at my home it took about 1 hour to prep, then 2 hours to finish applying primer and 2 coats of paint. So, in total 3-4 hours of labor can save you up to $500 compared to hiring a professional painter. Trust me, it’s not that hard. With the simple tips and supplies described above, your finished product will look great!