Your exterior painting project is coming up. The crew arrives Monday. What should you actually be doing this weekend?
Here's the honest truth: professional painters handle most of the heavy lifting. We pressure wash, move patio furniture, cover everything that needs protecting, and manage the project from start to finish. But a few things on your end make the difference between a smooth project and unnecessary complications.
The HOA Conversation You Need to Have First
If you live in a deed-restricted community - Palmer Ranch, Lakewood Ranch, The Landings, or dozens of other Sarasota neighborhoods - you probably need approval before your exterior colors can change.
Check your community's approved color book first. Many HOAs maintain specific palettes, and your chosen colors might already be pre-approved. If you're going with something that requires review, submit your ARC (Architectural Review Committee) application early. These approvals can take two to four weeks, and nobody wants to delay a painting project because paperwork wasn't filed in time.
We've navigated hundreds of ARC applications. If you need help getting colors approved, we can provide paint swatches, digital renderings showing how your home will look, and documentation that satisfies even the pickiest review boards. The key is starting this conversation weeks before your project date, not the week of.
Landscaping Preparation
Florida foliage grows aggressively. That hedge that looked perfectly trimmed last month might already be brushing against your siding. Those palm fronds you meant to cut back have been rubbing the fascia for weeks.
The goal is 12 to 18 inches of clearance between any vegetation and your exterior walls. This gives painters room to work without fighting through branches, and it prevents wet paint from getting damaged before it cures. A fresh coat of paint with palm frond scratches running through it defeats the purpose.
Walk your property and identify problem areas. Bushes that have crept too close need cutting back. Tree branches touching the roof or siding need trimming. Any climbing vines or overgrown ground cover within the work zone needs attention.
Plants grow back. A paint job with compromised quality shows forever. Err on the side of more clearance rather than less.
Securing Your Pets
Our crews will be on your property for several days. Gates will be opened. Ladders will go up and come down. Workers will move around the perimeter of your home constantly.
Dogs need to stay inside or in a separate, secure area during the work days. An excited dog getting out through an open gate is a scenario everyone wants to avoid. Even friendly dogs create safety concerns around workers on ladders.
Let your crew lead know about any pets on the first day. We'll be extra careful with gate closures and alert you if there's ever a concern about animals getting into work areas.
Windows and Exterior Walls
We pressure wash your home before painting begins. This isn't a gentle rinse - it's industrial cleaning that removes years of dirt, mildew, and loose paint. Water finds any opening it can.
Walk through your home and make sure every window is fully closed and locked. Check sliding doors, jalousie windows, and any other exterior openings. Even windows that "seem fine" might have gaps that allow water intrusion under pressure washing conditions.
On the inside walls that face exterior work, consider moving fragile items temporarily. Picture frames, decorative items on mantels, anything that could be knocked loose by vibration from pressure washing or sanding. The chance is small, but precaution costs nothing.
What We Handle For You
The list of things you don't need to worry about is longer than you might expect.
Pressure washing happens before any paint goes on - we handle all of that. Patio furniture gets moved and protected or relocated entirely. Plants near the work zone get covered with drop cloths. Pavers, decking, pool areas, and driveways get protected from paint drips and overspray.
We trench around the foundation to paint below the soil line, which means your paint coverage extends where it should without leaving gaps at ground level. All protection gets laid down daily and removed for cleanup each evening, so your driveway is clear when you get home.
The "zero mess" standard means you shouldn't be cleaning up after us. If we create a mess, we fix it. That's not your job during an exterior painting project.
The Week Before
Seven days out is a good time to do a final walkthrough. Check that landscaping clearance one more time. Confirm all windows close properly. Make arrangements for pets during work days. Remove any wall-mounted items from exterior walls - hose reels, decorations, address numbers. Relocate cars if they're normally parked near the house.
If you have a sprinkler system, consider turning it off for the project duration or at least adjusting the schedule so it doesn't run during work hours or immediately after painting.
Day One
The first day involves the most disruption. Crews arrive, protection goes down, pressure washing happens, and your home looks like a construction zone for a few hours. This is normal.
After day one, the process becomes quieter and more routine. Painting progresses section by section. You'll notice progress each evening when you return home.
If you're working from home during the project, expect some noise but nothing overwhelming. Most of the work happens outside your walls, and our crews are conscious of keeping disruption reasonable.
Schedule Your Project
Ready to get your home's exterior refreshed? We handle the complexity - you handle a few simple prep steps, and the rest takes care of itself.
Schedule your walkthrough and we'll assess your home, discuss colors, and give you a clear picture of what to expect.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do before exterior painters arrive?
Clear items from exterior walls, trim back landscaping 12-18 inches from the house, secure pets inside, close all windows tightly, and remove fragile items from inside walls that will be pressure washed. Professional painters handle furniture moving and surface protection, but these prep steps ensure smooth work.
Do I need HOA approval before painting my house exterior?
If you live in a deed-restricted community like Palmer Ranch, Lakewood Ranch, or The Landings, you likely need ARC (Architectural Review Committee) approval before exterior color changes. Submit applications 2-4 weeks before your planned start date. We can provide color swatches and digital renderings to help your application.
How far should bushes be from exterior walls for painting?
Aim for 12-18 inches of clearance between landscaping and exterior walls. This allows painters proper access and prevents wet paint from being damaged by branches. Trim tree branches touching the roof or siding as well. Plants can grow back; rushed paint jobs show forever.