Painting can make or break a sale, a rental, or even hosting plans this holiday season. The key is knowing which spaces deserve attention, how to prepare surfaces properly, and the importance of choosing colours that flatter the space. Click this link for more details.
When the Deadline Changes the Priorities
The following are some handy pointers on how to plan for a few of the most common scenarios where a paint job is needed before a looming deadline.
Sellers and landlords in Canada know that paint is an easy way to polish up tired spaces before showing them off, especially around the holidays. However, last-minute timelines can complicate planning and execution. Whether a home will be on the market within two weeks, a tenant is scheduled to move out imminently, or there’s a holiday get-together coming up that deserves better than those scuffed-up dining room walls, a solid game plan is critical to completing painting projects on schedule.
Selling a Home Within Two Weeks
Nothing ruins a good first impression faster than scuffed-up walls and worn-out paint in high-traffic spaces. Even if your place is sparkling and expertly staged, yellowed trim, dated colours, scuffed-up hallways, and mismatched paint can turn buyers away. But does that mean that you need to paint the entire house before selling? Absolutely not.
When time is tight, paint strategically, focusing on high-traffic spaces. Painting only what’s necessary will save you time and money. Entryways, hallways, kitchens, living rooms, and the master bedroom are all high-impact spaces that buyers will be drawn to. Trim can make or break older spaces; freshened-up trim can make dated rooms seem polished and intentional. Consider painting several living spaces in a single colour; buyers will love how spacious and intentional it is.
Colours for sale should be inviting and comfortable. Soft whites, both warm and cool, and taupes, greiges, and grey-greens all perform well in homes for sale. Narrowing in on the perfect colour for sale depends on room-by-room factors such as natural light, flooring, countertops, tile, appliances, etc. Colours appear differently in various spaces; what appears to be beige in one room might look bluer next to oak flooring.
Once the colour and scope of work are nailed down, it’s important to hire a professional who understands how to get the job done efficiently and correctly. A residential painting company with multiple franchise locations may have established processes, trained crews, and access to resources that help keep projects on schedule. Professional crews are better equipped to make accurate estimates in a timely manner and have access to colour and product options that will get the job done correctly. It’s also important to factor in paint drying and curing times – check https://britannica.com/technology/paint for more details; painting teams understand how long before staging, art, décor, and other items can touch walls again.
Turning Over a Rental Without Leaving Loose Ends
Landlords and property managers know that painting is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to make sure units are move-in ready. Painting doesn’t need to be as cut-and-polished as it is for staging and showings, but high-traffic spaces still matter. Doors, hallways, kitchen walls, bathroom ceilings, bedrooms, and closet trim are high-contact spaces that should be considered for repainting.
Similar to homes for sale, surface prep is essential to painting rentals. Patching, stain-blocking, caulking, sanding, and filling in nail holes are critical to getting a long-lasting paint job. Patched-up spaces need to be blended into walls so repairs aren’t as noticeable.
Colour choice in rentals should be durable and comfortable. Keeping a consistent colour or a handful of go-to colours throughout properties makes touch-ups and repairs easier down the road. Neutral colours are a favourite for rentals, and washable sheens are helpful, especially on trim and doors. Doors see their share of scuff marks from shoes, vacuum cleaners, moving gear, suitcases, etc.
Deadlines require streamlined communication. Professional painters are accustomed to working around other contractors, trades, cleaners, photographers, movers, stagers, and other teams to get jobs done efficiently. Good painting companies have processes in place to make estimates quickly, narrow down colour selections efficiently, choose durable paint for lived-in spaces, and can work around other contractors and trades.
Getting Ready for Holiday Guests
Waterborne paint (click for more info) formulas have advanced so far in recent years that low-odour options are the norm. Matte/eggshell paints are easier to keep clean and maintain a softness than ever. Colour-wise, neutrals are a smart bet if you’re unsure. Before settling on a colour, always test it on a wall and observe it in daylight before making a decision. It’s easy to fall in love with a colour under artificial lighting only to be surprised when you see it in natural light. Take time to see how a test square reacts to natural light during different times of day.
The Details That Prevent a Rushed Look
Painters have more options and resources than ever to deliver quality work on-time. Professional painters are more efficient than ever with estimating and scheduling tools, and colour technology has come a long way in recent years. However, prep is king, and colour/sheen coordination is what separates a job that looks good from a job that looks intentional. Here are a few pointers:
- Prep is critical. Walls need to be prepared before they’re painted. Washing away years of grease and oil, patching holes until they’re flush with the walls, replacing cracked and crumbling caulk, and sealing stains: this is what sets up a successful paint job.
- Neutrals are timeless, but they need to look crisp. Crisp cut lines against ceilings, windows, and baseboards go a long way to elevating a paint project and make colours feel intentional.
- Plan for doors/trim to be painted alongside walls. Painting just walls will throw off dingy baseboards.
- Choose a sheen and stick with it. Different sheens can be intentional, but it’s not an effect to be trifled with. Rooms can clash if sheens don’t match.
Start With the Rooms That Carry the Most Weight
Time is of the essence for many Halifax homeowners as they prepare their homes for sale or prepare to have guests over during the holidays. If you have a deadline approaching, we’d encourage you to walk through your house with a notepad in hand, get a sense of what rooms draw attention, make a list of repairs that need to be made, and get a sense of what would make a meaningful impact.
