Painting: Complete Guide

Overview

• Typical Duration: 1-2 weeks
• DIY Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)
• Typical Cost: $5,000-$12,000 (2,000 sq ft house, labor if hired)
• When to Hire: Most DIY-able phase - great cost savings
• Required Inspection: No

Painting is one of the highest-return DIY tasks. Professional labor costs $2-$4 per square foot, while materials cost only $0.30-$0.60 per square foot. Owner-builders who paint themselves save $4,000-$8,000 while achieving professional results with patience and proper technique.

I always recommend owner-builders paint their own homes. It's tedious but straightforward, requires minimal tools, and dramatically impacts the final appearance while saving significant money.

When This Phase Happens

Painting happens after trim installation but often in two stages.

First coat (before trim installed):

• Prime all drywall
• First coat walls
• Makes trim installation cleaner

Final coats (after trim):

• Second coat walls
• Prime trim
• Paint trim
• Touch-ups

What comes after:

• Flooring (if trim-last method)
• Final fixtures
• Punch list

Should You DIY This Phase?

DIY If:

• Want to save $4,000-$8,000 in labor
• Can tolerate repetitive work
• Have time (takes 2-3x longer than pros)
• Can handle physical work (lots of up/down ladders)
• Want control over quality

Hire Out If:

• Very tall ceilings (20+ feet)
• Exterior only (if uncomfortable on ladders)
• Limited time
• Physical limitations
• Want absolute perfection without practice

My recommendation: DIY interior painting, consider hiring exterior (height and safety concerns). Interior painting is straightforward and saves massive money. Exterior involves heights, weatherproofing, and specialized equipment.

Most owner-builders successfully paint their interiors, saving $4,000-$6,000 in labor costs.

Materials Needed

Interior Paint (2,000 sq ft house)

Supplies

Tools Required

Essential:

• Roller frames (9" for walls, 4" for trim)
• Roller covers (various naps: 3/8" smooth walls, 1/2" textured)
• Quality brushes (2", 2.5", 3" angled)
• Paint trays with liners
• 6-foot ladder
• Extension pole for roller
• Painter's tape
• Drop cloths

Nice to have:

• Paint sprayer (for exteriors or large interiors)
• 5-gallon bucket with screen (faster than trays)
• Pole sander (prep work)
• Quality LED work lights (see missed spots)
• Trim guard (for cutting in)

Step-by-Step Process

Days 1-2: Preparation (Most Important Step!)

The saying is true: "90% prep, 10% paint."

Drywall prep:

1. Fill all nail holes with spackle
2. Sand any ridges or rough spots (120-grit)
3. Caulk gaps between trim and walls (paintable caulk)
4. Caulk gaps at corners and joints
5. Wipe down all surfaces (remove dust)
6. Vacuum thoroughly

Protecting:

1. Remove outlet and switch covers
2. Cover floors with drop cloths
3. Tape off areas you don't want painted:
   • Windows (tape glass edges)
   • Hardware
   • Floors if installed
4. Cover light fixtures with plastic bags

Days 3-4: Priming

Why primer is essential:

• Seals porous drywall
• Creates uniform surface
• Improves paint adhesion
• Reduces paint coats needed
• Reveals remaining imperfections

Primer application:

1. Start with ceiling
2. Cut in edges with brush (3-4" wide band)
3. Roll main areas with 9" roller
4. Use extension pole (saves ladder time)
5. Apply even coat (not too thick)
6. Let dry per manufacturer (usually 2-4 hours)
7. Spot prime any repairs or touch-ups

Walls:

1. Same process as ceiling
2. Work top to bottom
3. One room at a time (maintain wet edge)

Trim (if painted, not stained):

1. Lightly sand all trim (120 or 150-grit)
2. Wipe clean
3. Prime with quality trim primer
4. Fill any gaps or nail holes after priming
5. Spot prime filled areas

Days 5-8: First Coat

Painting technique basics:

Cutting in (edges with brush):

1. Load brush 1/3 to 1/2 way up bristles
2. Start 2-3" from edge, brush toward edge
3. Smooth back toward center
4. Create 3-4" wide band along all edges
5. Do 4-6 feet at a time, then roll before it dries

Rolling (main areas):

1. Load roller evenly (not dripping)
2. Roll in "W" or "M" pattern
3. Fill in the pattern with parallel strokes
4. Maintain wet edge (work quickly enough that edges don't dry)
5. Don't press too hard (creates texture)
6. Back-roll lightly to even out

Sequence:

1. Ceiling first (work toward light source)
2. Walls second (top to bottom)
3. Trim last (after walls dry)

Common painting errors to avoid:

• Overloading brush or roller (drips and runs)
• Letting edges dry before rolling (lap marks)
• Painting over wet paint (texture buildup)
• Skipping corners and edges (unprofessional)
• Uneven pressure (visible roller marks)

Days 9-12: Second Coat and Trim

Second coat walls (after 4-24 hours drying):

1. Same process as first coat
2. Should cover much better (primer sealed surface)
3. May only need one coat of quality paint
4. Touch up any missed spots

Ceiling (if needed):

• Usually one coat over primer sufficient
• Two coats if color change or coverage issues

Trim painting (semi-gloss usually):

1. Lightly sand between coats (220-grit)
2. Cut in at edges carefully
3. Use smooth strokes following grain
4. Two coats typical for trim
5. Let first coat dry 4-6 hours minimum

Doors:

1. Remove doors from hinges (easier to paint flat)
2. Paint panels first, then stiles and rails
3. Long smooth strokes
4. No heavy brush marks
5. Let dry horizontal (prevents runs)

Days 13-14: Touch-ups and Cleanup

Touch-ups:

1. Inspect all walls with bright light (raking angle shows imperfections)
2. Touch up any holidays (missed spots)
3. Fix any drips or runs
4. Touch up any damage from trim installation

Remove tape:

• Remove painter's tape before paint fully dries (1-2 hours after painting)
• Pull at 45° angle slowly
• If paint dried, score edge with knife first

Cleanup:

1. Remove all drop cloths
2. Reinstall outlet and switch covers
3. Remove protective coverings
4. Touch up any paint on windows or hardware
5. Wash brushes and rollers (or dispose of cheap ones)
6. Dispose of paint responsibly (dried out or recycling center)

Paint Quality and Selection

Paint quality matters:

Budget paint ($20-$25/gallon):

• Requires 3+ coats for coverage
• Poor durability
• Difficult to clean
• Total cost higher (more coats needed)

Mid-grade paint ($35-$50/gallon):

• Good coverage (2 coats typical)
• Washable
• Good durability
• Best value for most homes

Premium paint ($50-$80/gallon):

• Excellent coverage (1-2 coats)
• Very durable
• Easy to clean
• Worth it for high-traffic areas

Sheen selection:

• Flat: Ceilings, low-traffic walls (hides imperfections, not washable)
• Eggshell: Most walls (slight sheen, washable, good for drywall level 4)
• Satin: High-traffic walls, hallways (more sheen, very washable)
• Semi-gloss: Trim, doors, kitchens, baths (shiny, very washable, durable)
• Gloss: Cabinets, furniture (very shiny, shows all imperfections)

Exterior Painting

Exterior is more complex:

• Height and safety concerns
• Weather dependent
• Surface prep critical (pressure washing, scraping, sanding)
• Proper priming essential
• Must follow weather windows
• Often involves specialized equipment

If DIY exterior:

1. Pressure wash entire house
2. Scrape loose paint
3. Sand rough areas
4. Prime bare wood and stains
5. Caulk all gaps and joints
6. Apply 2 coats quality exterior paint
7. Work in shade (paint won't dry properly in direct sun)

Exterior timeline: 1-3 weeks depending on house size and complexity

My recommendation: Hire exterior painting unless you're comfortable on tall ladders and have scaffolding access. The $3,000-$6,000 cost includes all prep, equipment, and expertise.

Code Requirements

No code requirements for painting colors or sheens. Very minimal regulation:

• IRC R302.9 - Flame spread: Interior finish materials including paint must meet flame spread ratings

Subcontractor Considerations

Typical pricing:

• Interior walls and ceilings: $2-$4 per sq ft (floor area)
• Trim and doors: $1-$2 per LF or $50-$100 per door
• Exterior: $2-$5 per sq ft (wall area)
• Total interior (2,000 sq ft): $4,000-$8,000
• Total exterior (2,000 sq ft): $3,000-$8,000

Timeline:

• Interior: 3-7 days
• Exterior: 5-10 days
• Weather dependent for exterior

What's included:

• All prep work (filling, sanding, caulking)
• Primer coat
• 2 finish coats walls/ceilings
• 2 coats trim
• All materials
• Cleanup
• Usually NOT included: Wall repair beyond minor holes

Common Mistakes

1. Skipping Primer

Why it's a problem: Poor coverage, more coats needed, uneven finish, paint peeling. How to avoid: Always prime new drywall, bare wood, and repairs. No exceptions. Cost if you don't: Extra paint coats, poor results, potential repainting.

2. Cheap Paint

Why it's a problem: Poor coverage, requires many coats, doesn't last, looks bad. How to avoid: Buy quality paint ($35-$50/gallon minimum). It's worth it. Cost if you don't: More coats needed, earlier repainting, poor appearance.

3. Inadequate Prep

Why it's a problem: Paint doesn't adhere, bumps and ridges show through, unprofessional results. How to avoid: Fill all holes, sand smooth, clean thoroughly before painting. Cost if you don't: Amateur appearance, may need to sand and repaint.

4. Wrong Roller Nap

Why it's a problem: Poor coverage, texture issues, visible roller marks. How to avoid: 3/8" for smooth walls, 1/2" for light texture, 3/4" for heavy texture. Cost if you don't: Extra coats needed, texture issues.

5. Not Maintaining Wet Edge

Why it's a problem: Lap marks visible (dried paint edge shows through). How to avoid: Work quickly enough to keep edge wet. Don't let cut-in edges dry before rolling. Cost if you don't: Visible lap marks, may need extra coat.

6. Painting Over Dirty Surfaces

Why it's a problem: Paint doesn't adhere, peels later. How to avoid: Clean all surfaces before painting. Wipe down drywall dust, grease, etc. Cost if you don't: Peeling paint, repainting needed.

7. Wrong Sheen Selection

Why it's a problem: Sheen too high shows imperfections, too low isn't washable. How to avoid: Flat ceilings, eggshell/satin walls, semi-gloss trim. Standard formula that works. Cost if you don't: Repainting with correct sheen.

8. Not Enough Coats

Why it's a problem: Old color or primer shows through, uneven appearance. How to avoid: Two coats minimum for walls, check coverage before declaring complete. Cost if you don't: Amateur appearance, need to repaint.

Quality Checkpoints

• [ ] All surfaces cleaned and prepped
• [ ] All holes filled and sanded
• [ ] All gaps caulked
• [ ] Primer applied to all new drywall
• [ ] Two coats on all walls
• [ ] Two coats on all trim and doors
• [ ] Ceiling painted (one or two coats)
• [ ] No holidays (missed spots)
• [ ] No drips or runs
• [ ] Clean lines at edges
• [ ] Even sheen throughout
• [ ] All touch-ups complete
• [ ] Paint cleaned from windows, hardware, floors
• [ ] Outlet and switch covers reinstalled

Budget Breakdown

Example for 2,000 sq ft house interior:

Timeline Tips

Scheduling:

• Interior any season (climate controlled)
• Exterior spring or fall (60-85°F ideal, dry weather)
• Allow drying time between coats (4-24 hours)
• Work room by room for satisfaction

What Comes Next

After painting complete:

1. Final finishes and fixtures
2. Punch list completion
3. Final cleaning

Link to: Final Finishes Phase

Related Resources

• Color Selection Guide
• Painting Techniques
• Paint Calculator

Need Painting Help?

Painting is very DIY-able and saves significant money. If you're unsure about techniques or color selection, a consultation can help you achieve professional results.