The eternal dilemma when it comes to painting the house - should we take care of the process ourselves, or is it better to pay a specialist. However, the answer is quite simple.
If time is more important than money, it is wise to hire a professional painter. On the other hand, if money is more important than time, certain painting works can be done by yourself and thus save money.
In case of painting by yourself
In general, you can paint yourself if the surface you want to paint is small (one or two rooms), the walls or surface are in good condition, and you just want to refresh or change the colour.
You can paint yourself if the surface you want to paint is small.
In this case, allocate enough time for preparation, buy quality paint and equipment, and don't forget that multiple layers of paint are necessary. Before starting to paint, cover or move the furniture and protect the floors and edges where the walls meet the floor with painter's tape.
Don't rush things. Start first with painting the edges, then the ceiling and, finally, the walls. Always finish one wall first before moving on to the next one. Paint from top to bottom. Air out the room during painting. After finishing the work, wash the brushes and clean up.
When to look for a painter?
Find a painter if you want to repaint the entire house or flat, if the walls and surfaces are in poor condition and require filling, sanding or smoothing, if you need to remove old paint or wallpaper, if you have high ceilings or want special decorative colours, finishes, and techniques.
Painting is a skill that requires training and experience - professionals know how to properly prepare the surface, what colours to use in each situation, and how to perform the work efficiently and quickly.
Professional painters also have all the necessary tools to achieve a quality finish. Painting can be a physically demanding task and can take a long time, especially for larger projects. Working on ladders and handling solutions and dust can also be dangerous.
How to find a good painter?
Get a recommendation from friends or acquaintances who have needed the services of a painter in the past and have been satisfied with the work done. You can also search for painting services on Google, but make sure they are qualified to do their job. The easiest way to do this is to check their previous customer reviews and ratings.
In any case, make a list of the most suitable painters in the area and request quotes from them. These quotes should be written as specifically as possible; they should include the quantities of paints that will be used and their prices, as well as all labour costs. Check if the final price includes surface protection before painting and cleaning and disposing of waste after finishing the work, and ask about a possible warranty.
Procompare has a range of experienced and vetted painters across South Africa. To get started:
- Go to the form for submitting a request for a painter in your area.
- Provide your contact details and information about your painting job.
- Wait for the painters to get in touch with you.
- Read reviews of the painters you're connected with.
How much will the painting job cost you?
The price of painting the walls can vary significantly depending on the size of the project, the type of paint, and the material used. A painter will cost you between R50 to R80 per square meter.
If you intend to paint yourself, the costs will only be for purchasing paint and painting equipment. However, don't forget about your free time that you will spend painting.
