My DIY Paint Project – The Pros and Cons of Doing It Yourself

When it comes to doing a project in your home you are often faced with the decision to do it yourself or hire a professional. Both have pros and cons and there’s a lot more to consider than just the cost. Here’s everything you need to consider before starting a DIY paint project.

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DIY PAINT PROJECTS – PROS

First, let’s talk about the pros of doing your painting project yourself. 

• Cost: Obviously the first and most noticeable is going to be the cost of the project. It will definitely be cheaper to do it yourself. 
• Control: You can do it on your own time and at the pace that you want to complete it. You have the ability to go room by room and do things in the order that fits your life. 
• Satisfaction: There is a certain satisfaction that comes from completing a project by yourself. Painting is one home project that is very easy to see the change when you’re done. The satisfaction of seeing a freshly painted wall in a color that you love is unmatched. 

DIY PAINT PROJECTS – CONS

Now let’s talk about the not-so-fun things of doing a painting project yourself. Here are the cons.

• Skill: Let’s be honest, most of us don’t have the skill and experience of professional painters. Professional painters are more than just painters. They can help with color schemes and with problems that come up during a project that would be beyond your skills to address. You need to be honest with your own abilities and remember that it’s often better to hire a professional and make sure the job gets done right the first time rather than trying to keep fixing it yourself. You might not know if your walls need priming or how to properly prepare a wall, but a professional painter will. 
• Materials: To do a painting project right you need the right materials. Professionals know the right materials they need to complete a job. You could spend all day comparing the top paint products, but a professional painter will be able to look at a surface and tell you exactly what product is needed for the job. You will need a different type of paint depending on the surface and the current top coat of paint. While DIYers have to do copious research or trial and error work, a professional will know right away what the solution is.
• Equipment: You may find yourself standing in the hardware store staring at different brushes and rollers and have no idea where to begin. What brush is best for this material? What roller do I need for this? A professional will know and use the best tools and supplies. It is also a matter of cost. For the best results, you will want to rent a paint sprayer. However, that means additional time to learn how to use one, and they can be messy if used incorrectly. Commercial grade sprayers (i.e. the best) aren’t even available to rent and can cost upwards of $5,000. Even standard equipment like ladders and scaffolding often cost the same to purchase as to rent, and if you opt to buy them you will have a lot of extra equipment lying around after your project. In the long run, it can be more cost-effective to let professionals who already own and use this equipment do the job. 
• Prepping: Another thing to consider is prepping. Proper prepping is key to a successful project. (Take a look at our prepping blog to learn why) A professional will take the time to prep the area first, while as a DIY’er you may find yourself wanting to skip some of that as it’s time-consuming and tedious. 
• Time: I mentioned earlier that doing a DIY paint project yourself allots some freedom, but many times projects can drag on forever when you’re doing them on your own. If you’re anything like me and your life is busy, things can get pushed to the back burner. This can make projects last forever. With a professional painting company, they can complete the project quickly and efficiently. They do this day in and day out and know how to handle projects of all sizes, so they will be able to quickly finish the project. 

PROS WILL ALWAYS DO THE JOB BETTER

As you can tell there are advantages and disadvantages to trying to DIY your painting project. The most important thing you can do is evaluate the work you want to do and honestly gauge your skill for the project. If you feel like you can complete the project then go for it! There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a freshly painted wall that you did yourself. 

If you’re considering a paint project and it seems overwhelming, it may be time to call a professional. They know how to get the job done right for you, the first time. If you’re ready to learn more now, fill out the free form below for a free quote from Heritage Painting. 

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