The homeowner called us back three weeks after we finished painting her living room. She was frustrated - there was a crack showing through the new paint near the window. When we came out to look, we realized it wasn't a crack at all. It was the outline of a piece of tape she'd left on the wall when we arrived.
She'd taped a cord to the wall behind her TV, forgotten about it, and it had been there so long that when our crew removed it during prep, the old paint came with it. We'd patched and painted over the spot, but the repair didn't blend perfectly with the surrounding wall once everything dried.
The lesson: preparing a room for interior painting isn't complicated, but missing details creates problems that show up later. This guide covers what to do before professional painters arrive and what to expect from the process.
What You Should Handle Before Painters Arrive
Professional painters handle most prep work, but there are things you need to do first. Removing these items is always your responsibility because nobody knows your home and belongings like you do.
Take everything off the walls. Pictures, mirrors, clocks, decorations, curtain rods, shelving - all of it. You know where things hang and how to remove them without damage. We don't know that your grandmother's mirror has a tricky bracket that needs wiggling just right. Remove wall-mounted TVs if possible, or at minimum clear everything around them so we can protect them properly.
Clear the surfaces and shelves. Small furniture, lamps, decorations, plants, and anything sitting on shelves or mantels. Plants are particularly important - paint fumes can damage them, and they're better off in another room entirely during the project.
Remove all electronics. Computers, game systems, speakers, cable boxes - anything with sensitive components. Paint dust settles everywhere, even with careful containment. You don't want it inside your electronics.
Take out valuables and breakables. Anything irreplaceable or fragile needs to be in another room. Accidents happen, furniture gets bumped, and we'd rather your grandmother's vase be safely elsewhere.
Document the room before we arrive. Take photos of current wall conditions, any existing damage or imperfections, and the furniture arrangement. The photos help you return everything to the right spots afterward, and they establish baseline conditions if there are any questions later about existing versus new damage.
What Professional Painters Handle
Once you've cleared your part, professional prep work covers everything needed to paint properly.
We move large furniture to the room center and cover it with plastic sheeting. Some homeowners prefer to move furniture themselves to save a bit on the quote - that's fine, but confirm what works with your specific contractor.
Floor protection goes down next. Drop cloths cover the entire floor, overlapping by at least six inches at seams and tucked under baseboards to prevent paint seeping through. On hardwood floors, we use canvas cloths that absorb spills rather than plastic that lets paint puddle and potentially seep under edges.
Wall cleaning comes before any repair work. Dust, cobwebs, marks, and smudges all prevent paint from adhering properly. In kitchens, we wash walls with degreaser because cooking leaves an invisible film on surfaces that causes paint to peel. Bathroom walls get checked for mildew - painting over mold doesn't kill it.
Minor repairs are typically included in standard quotes. Nail holes, small cracks, and minor dings get filled with spackling compound, dried, sanded smooth, and primed. This is maintenance-level work that every painted room needs.
What usually costs extra includes heavy furniture moving (like moving a grand piano), extensive repairs (large holes, water damage, texture matching), wallpaper removal, and mold remediation. If your walls have issues beyond normal wear, discuss them before signing a contract so everyone understands the scope.
Wall Repairs: What to Expect
The difference between professional and amateur paint jobs often comes down to repair work.
Small holes from nails and picture hangers get lightweight spackling compound, dried per product instructions, sanded smooth, and potentially a second coat if there's shrinkage. It's tedious work done correctly - each hole needs attention.
Medium holes from accidents or failed wall anchors need self-adhesive mesh patches covered with joint compound. The compound gets feathered outward for invisible repairs, dried, sanded, and often needs two to three coats to build up properly. This takes time and patience.
Large holes or damaged areas may require actual drywall patching - cutting out the damaged section, fitting a new piece, taping seams, multiple coats of compound, and texture matching. This is significant work that substantially adds to project timeline and cost.
Cracks require judgment about what's causing them. Surface cracks from normal settling get filled with joint compound. Cracks that keep reappearing might need flexible caulk that can move with the building. Cracks associated with structural issues need assessment before painting - there's no point painting over a problem that's going to crack through again.
In Florida specifically, check for humidity-related damage before painting. Moisture problems show up as peeling, soft spots, or bubbling under old paint. Painting over moisture issues seals in the problem. The source needs addressing first.
Day-Of Preparation
When painters arrive, the focus shifts to final setup and actual work.
Clear a pathway from the entrance to the work area. If painters are hauling equipment through your home, they need an unobstructed route. Move anything fragile from hallways and entryways.
Make sure the workspace has what professionals need. Bathroom access, water source for cleanup, electricity for lights if painting a room with windows blocked - these basics need to be available.
Keep children and pets away from the work area. Wet paint, equipment, and drop cloths create hazards for curious kids and animals. Set up pet gates or close doors to keep them safe.
Be available for questions but don't hover. Painters might need clarification on color placement, which areas to paint versus leave, or decisions about unexpected issues discovered during prep. Being reachable helps the project move smoothly.
Florida-Specific Considerations
Florida homes have prep needs that homes elsewhere don't.
Run your air conditioning before and during painting. Lower humidity helps paint dry properly and reduces the risk of trapping moisture in the paint film. The AC also keeps surface temperatures stable - important for proper adhesion and cure.
Check for mildew before work begins, especially in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Florida humidity makes mildew inevitable in poorly ventilated spaces. It needs killing and treatment before painting, not painting over.
Don't open windows thinking you're helping with ventilation. Florida's humid air can actually slow drying and introduce moisture problems. Trust the AC to manage air quality.
If painting during hurricane season, have a contingency plan for weather delays. An approaching storm means exterior doors need to stay closed, which affects ventilation and dry times.
After Painting: What to Know
Fresh paint needs time to cure fully, and treating it right during this period affects long-term durability.
Paint is touch-dry within an hour or two, ready for a second coat in 2 to 4 hours, and safe for light use in 24 hours. But full cure takes about 30 days. During this period, paint is vulnerable.
Wait at least 24 hours before hanging anything on walls. Wait 2 to 3 days before pushing furniture against freshly painted surfaces. Wait the full 30 days before washing painted walls with anything more than a damp cloth.
Before your painters leave, inspect the work together. Check for missed spots, drips, clean lines at edges, and even coverage. Issues are easiest to fix immediately while paint is fresh and the crew is on site.
When returning the room to normal, start with small items after 24 hours - switch plates, outlet covers, light curtain hardware. Heavier items and furniture can return after 48 to 72 hours. Anything pressing against the walls should wait until you're confident the paint has hardened enough to resist marking.
Getting Ready for Your Project
The short version: clear small items and wall decorations before painters arrive. Document existing conditions with photos. Note any repairs you've noticed that need attention. Then let professionals handle the technical prep work.
Our interior painting services include thorough preparation for lasting results. You handle clearing your personal items; we handle everything needed to paint properly.
Get a free estimate and we'll walk through exactly what's included and what you need to do before we arrive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long before painting should I prepare a room?
For professional painting, complete basic preparation 24-48 hours before painters arrive. This includes removing wall decor, clearing surfaces, and noting any repairs needed. Professionals handle furniture moving, floor protection, and detailed prep work. For DIY, start prep 1-2 days before painting to allow time for repairs to dry.
Do painters move furniture or should I do it?
Most professional painters move furniture to the room center and cover it with plastic. However, you should remove small items, valuables, electronics, and wall decorations before they arrive. Confirm with your painter what they handle versus what you should do. Moving furniture yourself may reduce your quote slightly.
What prep work is included in a professional painting quote?
Standard professional prep includes furniture moving to center, floor protection with drop cloths, wall cleaning, minor crack and nail hole repair, sanding, and taping. Major repairs, wallpaper removal, and extensive surface preparation typically cost extra. Always confirm what's included in your specific quote.