Booking painters is exciting. Fresh walls can make a home feel new again. When you put some time into preparing your home for interior painting, the job is more likely to start on time, keeps your belongings safe and lets the painters focus on the work you are paying for.
This guide explains what to do in the days before interior painters arrive, what you can usually leave to them, and how to make the week easier for everyone in the house. Common questions include what to move, what painters move themselves and whether you need to leave the house. If you have not booked yet, contact us to request a free quote.
A Week or Two Before
Confirm the scope
Walk through each room and make a list of what you want painted. Walls, ceilings, doors, skirting boards, window frames and cornices are often quoted separately, so check that everything you expect is in the written quote. Our page on interior painting services in Adelaide explains what is commonly included, and our interior painting cost per room guide explains what affects a quote.
Lock in colours
Changing colours at the last minute can delay the start. Try sample pots on a couple of walls and look at them at different times of day. If you need help matching an existing colour, ask us about colour matching.
Note any repairs
Point out cracks, holes, water stains or damaged plaster before the job starts. Some repairs are simple and can be done as part of the prep. Larger damage may need extra time. Mention them when you request your quote.
Plan around your household
Think about where everyone will sleep, work and eat while rooms are being painted. If someone in the house is sensitive to smells, ask about low odour paint options and plan to keep windows open.
A Few Days Before
Clear small items
Pack away ornaments, books, photos, lamps and anything breakable. Empty shelves and bookcases that sit against walls being painted. Painters can move heavy furniture, but it is quicker and safer if the small things are already out of the way.
Take down wall items
Remove pictures, mirrors, clocks, wall hooks and curtains. Keep screws and fittings in labelled bags so they are easy to put back. Let the painters know whether you want existing hooks and nail holes filled or left alone.
Make space around the walls
Ideally, leave about a metre of clear space along each wall. Large items can be grouped in the middle of the room. If a piece is too heavy or fragile to move, mention it when you confirm the booking.
Sort out valuables and electronics
Move computers, TVs and anything valuable to a room that is not being painted. Dust from sanding is fine and light, but it travels. Have questions about your rooms? Contact us to request a free quote.
The Day Before
Clean where needed
Paint sticks best to clean surfaces. Wipe greasy areas in kitchens and hallways, and dust skirting boards. Painters normally do surface prep as part of the job, but a quick clean of very dirty areas helps.
Plan pets and children
Wet paint and curious pets or kids are not a good mix. Plan for pets to stay outside, with a friend or in a closed room. Keep children away from work areas, ladders and open tins.
Arrange access and parking
Let the painters know where they can park, where to set up equipment and which bathroom they can use. If you will be at work, agree on how they will get in and how to lock up.
What the Painters Usually Handle
Most painters cover floors and furniture, mask fittings, fill small holes and clean up each day. Ask what your quote includes so you know what to do yourself. Our guide to the interior painting process walks through what happens once the job is under way.
During the Job
- Keep rooms ventilated. Open windows where you can and leave the doors open to rooms that are drying.
- Avoid touching fresh paint. It may feel dry within hours but take longer to harden fully.
- Hold off on rehanging. Wait until the painters say the walls are ready before putting pictures back.
- Raise questions early. If something does not look right, mention it on the day so it can be sorted while the painters are still there.
Preparing Different Rooms
Each room has its own quirks. In kitchens, clear benchtops and wipe down splashback areas where grease builds up. In bathrooms, remove towels, bath mats and toiletries, and run the exhaust fan beforehand to dry out any damp. In bedrooms, strip beds and cover mattresses if furniture is staying in the room. Hallways and stairwells often need the most clearance, because ladders take up space and painters will be moving through them all day.
If you work from home, set up a temporary desk in a room that is being painted last, or plan to work elsewhere for a day or two.
After the Painters Finish
Do a walk-through with the painter before they leave. Look at the walls in good light and point out any touch-ups. Ask for the name and code of each colour used, and keep a little leftover paint, labelled by room, for small marks later on.
Give fresh paint time to cure before scrubbing it. Wait for the cure time on the paint tin before scrubbing, and use a soft cloth for gentle cleaning.
Ready to Book Your Interior Painting?
A little preparation makes painting day easier for everyone. If you are planning to refresh rooms in your Adelaide home, call us on 0415 605 744 or contact us to request a free quote. Planning outside work too? Our home painting checklist can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to move furniture before the painters arrive?
It helps to clear small items and move what you can into the middle of the room. Painters can usually help with heavy pieces, but mention anything fragile or very heavy when you book.
Should I take pictures and curtains down myself?
Yes, removing pictures, mirrors, hooks and curtains before the painters arrive saves time. Keep screws and fittings in labelled bags so they are easy to put back.
Can I stay at home while the inside is being painted?
Many people do. Plan which rooms you will use each day, keep painted rooms ventilated and ask about low odour paint if anyone in the house is sensitive to smells.
What should I do with pets during interior painting?
Keep pets out of rooms being painted, either outside, with a friend or in a closed room, so they do not touch wet paint or knock over equipment.
Do painters clean walls before painting?
Surface prep is usually part of the job, but giving very greasy or dusty areas a quick wipe beforehand helps. Ask your painter what their prep includes.
How do I book interior painters in Adelaide?
Contact us with the rooms you want painted and a few photos, and we will arrange a time to talk about the job and give you a free quote.