If you are a homeowner, it makes sense to learn as much as you can about home repair and maintenance. Hiring someone every time something goes wrong or needs updating can cost a fortune. However, there are times when it makes sense to hire a professional, even though you can save money by doing it yourself. House painting is one such gray area. In theory, it can cost less to do it yourself, but it can make sense to rent it out.
In this article, we're going to cover some of the scenarios you might face when considering painting your home. This information should help you determine whether it is worth doing your own tinkering or hiring a professional.
The costs
It seems like it would cost less to paint by yourself, but it may not. There are some factors that make it expensive even if you do it yourself. First, the cost of hiring a painter will vary widely between regions in the country. Albuquerque painters, for example, cost far less than NYC. If you live in an area with a low cost of living, some of the prices may be low enough to warrant hiring. After all, time is money. So if you can work better and make money, it makes sense to pay a painter. Do a proper audit of what it takes to get yourself done in terms of materials and even hourly labor costs so that you can see whether or not your time is worth it. Then get a quote from a local painter and compare.
How difficult is the job?
Not all paint jobs are straightforward. There could be factors that make the job a lot harder than you think. The condition of the walls plays a big role in getting the chores done. Preparation is the most important part of the job. If you need to fix the walls before you can paint, this is the best job for professionals. You may also have wallpaper over the walls that needs to be removed. This requires special tools such as a steamer that you need to rent or buy.
There are some types of paint that also require special equipment to be used. For example, a paint can only be applied with a sprayer. If you've never used a paint sprayer before, it can be very difficult to find the right one. The cost of the paint and the time it would take to figure out you didn't get it right could make it a bad idea.
The time
If you have an important schedule to get the job done, that should also play a role in your decision. If you're trying to get the space painted before you move in and meet a strict deadline, it makes more sense to rent it out. A professional team can do in a few days what you would do alone in your spare time for a week or more.