How to Prep Your Home for a Professional Painter
Interior Painting Prep Checklist
You’ve booked the crew, picked the colors, and cleared your schedule. Now what? Before the first brushstroke hits your wall, a little preparation on your end can go a long way.
At Custom Paint & Finish, we take pride in doing things the right way - with clean lines, crisp edges, and no shortcuts. But that level of craftsmanship works best when the home is set up for success.
Here’s a no-fluff guide to getting your space ready for a smooth, efficient, and stress-free professional paint job.
Make Room to Work Magic
Our interior painters in Indiana are good, but we’re not magicians. We still need room to move. The first step in any paint prep plan is to clear out the space. That means shifting furniture away from the walls and, if possible, relocating smaller items to another room altogether. Bulky pieces, such as sofas or beds, can remain, but push them to the center of the room and cover them with a drop cloth or sheet to protect them from floating dust or stray droplets.
We don’t mind helping with heavy lifting, especially when it helps us work more efficiently. But let us know in advance so we can arrive with extra muscle or straps.
Give Your Walls and Floors Some Breathing Room
Before we start painting, your walls need to be free from clutter, and your floors must be protected. A little prep goes a long way toward a better, faster finish.
Here’s how you can help…
Take everything off the walls, photos, artwork, shelves, and even temporary hooks. They get in the way and may leave residue.
Remove or tie back curtains and blinds to give us access to trim and keep fabric clean.
Leave switch plates and thermostat covers to us, or get a head start if you’d like.
Cover any furniture that stays put. We’ll bring drop cloths, but double up on anything fragile or valuable.
Clear the floors. We’ll protect them, but less clutter means fewer hazards and a smoother workflow.
Dust It, Don’t Paint It
One of the really important steps in getting ready, but sometimes skipped, is cleaning the walls. Yes, we mean cleaning! Over time, walls gather dust, fingerprints, cobwebs, and oils.
Even if they don’t seem dirty, these little residues can make a difference in how well the paint will stick. Taking a moment to give your walls a good clean can make all the difference for a beautifully finished job.
Give the walls a once-over with a dry cloth or a gentle cleaner, especially in kitchens and bathrooms where grease and humidity are more common. If you’ve got kids or pets, pay close attention to areas at “tail height” and toddler level.
Clean walls make for clean paint, and we’re all about keeping things clean.
Patch What You Can, Flag What You Can’t
When you take down wall décor, you’ll probably notice a few dings or holes. If you’re comfortable using spackle and sandpaper, patching minor imperfections ahead of time can speed up the process. But don’t worry, our team is happy to handle wall repairs as part of your project.
If you’ve anything larger than a nail hole, such as water damage, stress cracks, or old patches that never quite blended, flag it for us. We’ll make sure it gets the attention it needs before we break out the roller.
Painting Outside? Prep the Yard First
If we’re painting your home’s exterior, outdoor prep is just as important. Clear access helps us work faster and keeps your property safe.
Here’s what to take care of:
Move furniture, planters, hoses, and grills away from the house so we have room to work.
Take down flags, wall décor, or anything mounted that could block ladders or catch paint.
Trim back bushes, vines, or tree branches. We need about two feet of clearance for a clean finish.
Keep kids and pets away from work zones. Set up a play area or arrange care to avoid surprise paw prints and paint mishaps.
The Power of a Quick Conversation
The best paint jobs start with a little communication. Before we begin, we’ll review project details, including room order, color placement, trim work, and any special requests. But if there’s anything you’d like us to know ahead of time, such as sensitive surfaces, antique furniture, doors that stick, or pets that sneak out, say the word.
Even something as small as knowing which bathroom is available or where we can park can make the day smoother for everyone involved.
A Little Prep Goes a Long Way
Prepping your home doesn’t have to be stressful. A few simple steps can make a big difference in the quality, speed, and success of your paint project. It also allows our team to focus on what we do best: clean lines, even coats, and a finish that lasts for years.
At Custom Paint & Finish, we treat every home like it’s our own. We know how much trust it takes to let a crew into your space, and we take that seriously from the first tarp down to the final walkthrough. By taking the time to prep your home, you’re helping us deliver the high-caliber work we’re known for across Elkhart, Goshen, Granger, and beyond.
Ready for a fresh coat of color? Let’s make it stand out together. Contact us now for a free quote!
