When many people think about painting the exterior of their San Diego home, they think primarily about the process of paint application. They picture a group of San Diego painting contractors working diligently around the outside of the residence, professionally updating its exterior. However, that is just a portion of the process.
If you really want to ensure that you’re happy with the results of your professional painting job, there are certain steps that should be taken before a paint brush even touches your San Diego home’s exterior. The first is to make sure you choose the right color.
Choose the Right Color
Oftentimes, the color you choose for your home’s exterior depends largely on your personal preference and style.
If you like earthy tones, for instance, you may decide on a hue that is somewhere in the brown or green family. Conversely, if you want something a little more standout-ish, you may decide on a color that is a bit more eye-popping instead. Not sure what color you want or what will look good with the style of your home? Find a San Diego painting contractor that has a color consultant on staff who can help you choose.
Regardless of which color you want, before you get the exterior of your San Diego house painted by painting contractors, it’s important that you know whether any “rules” exist about your color choice.
For example, if you have a homeowner’s association or HOA, it may have some pretty strict guidelines about what colors are allowed in your neighborhood. Learning this before you apply the paint can save you a lot of time, frustration, and money.
Prep Your San Diego Home Before the House Painters Even Arrive
Another step you can take that can help improve the results of your San Diego home’s exterior paint job is to prep it before the professional house painters even arrive. What does this entail?
If you have any bushes or any trees that are touching your home’s walls, now is a good time to trim them. Not only does this give your San Diego painting contractors clear access to your home’s exterior, but taking this step has other benefits as well.
For instance, roof rats like to live in trees and overgrown shrubs and vines according to the University of California’s Agriculture & Natural Resources department. They’re also very good climbers, so allowing the vegetation around your house to touch your home’s exterior, gives them a bridge to your roof line, which is typically where these pests enter the home.
Also take the time to move any objects that are near the exterior of your San Diego home so the house painters have clearer access to it. This includes ladders, tables and chairs, and any outside décor that sits at or near your outside walls.
Hire San Diego House Painters that Provide Proper Prep & Cleanup Services
Finally, before you get the exterior of your San Diego home professionally painted, do your homework so you hire a painting contractor that will do the proper prep and cleanup work.
For example, PaintGreen has a very thorough process it uses prior to painting San Diego customers’ homes. This involves washing the homes exterior (either by hand or with a pressure washer), scraping away any existing paint that is peeling off, and applying caulk or patch where necessary. All of these actions can help prolong the life of your home’s paint job, while also providing the highest quality results possible.
Choosing a San Diego painting contractor that will perform the proper cleanup is equally as important. For instance, PaintGreen has a “leave no trace” policy, even doing a final walk-through with our customers before accepting final payment to ensure that they are thoroughly pleased with the finished product and the manner in which we left the outside of the home.
More Work Beforehand Means Less Work After the Fact
Yes, the actual painting of your San Diego home’s exterior is important too. At the same time, taking these three actions before a paint brush even touches your house’s outermost walls can help improve not only your satisfaction with the process, but also how happy you are with the results.
Additionally, the more work you do beforehand means the less work you have to do after the fact. By making sure your HOA is good with your color, you aren’t forced to go through a costly and time-intensive repaint. Taking the time to do your own prep also improves house painters’ access to your San Diego home’s exterior, and may even save you from pests. Finally, choosing a San Diego painting contractor that does the appropriate prep and cleanup means higher quality, longer lasting results.
That makes following these three basic guidelines beneficial to your pocketbook, and probably to your overall happiness as well.
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