Nobody photographs prep. It is the least interesting day of any project and the one that decides whether your paint job looks right in three years or ten. When homeowners ask why two quotes are so far apart, the answer is usually hiding in this list.
Protection Comes First
Before anything else, floors and furniture get covered with drop cloths and plastic. We move what needs moving. We do ask that you take care of irreplaceable and fragile items yourself before we start, and that you point out anything we should be careful around.
Surfaces Get Cleaned, Not Just Painted Over
On exteriors, washing removes dirt, chalking, and mold so the new paint can bond to a clean surface. Inside, that means degreasing where it matters, particularly kitchens and around switches. Paint does not stick to grime, and no amount of quality product fixes a dirty surface.
Holes, Cracks, and Bad Drywall Get Fixed
Patching, sanding, and smoothing happen before the first coat, not after someone notices. On exteriors this is where scraping and caulking come in, sealing the places where water would otherwise get behind the finish.
Want to see what your project actually needs?
The estimate is free and there is no obligation. We look at the real surfaces and put the prep in writing.
The Prep You Should See in Writing
- Named prep steps: washing, scraping, caulking, patching, sanding. If the quote just says prep, ask what that means.
- A weather rule for exteriors: surfaces need to stay above 34 degrees for at least 24 hours after application.
- A schedule: we work consecutive days until your job is done, rather than starting and disappearing to another project.
- A named crew lead: so you know who is actually on site and who to raise something with.
Why This Is Where the Price Difference Lives
A cheaper quote is often a quote with less prep in it. That is a real choice, and sometimes it is the right one for a rental or a quick sale. For a home you are staying in, the prep is what you are actually buying. Preparation is what decides whether an exterior lands above or below the seven year average.
Our full process is laid out on the interior painting and exterior painting pages, and we handle drywall repair as part of the same visit when a wall needs it.