Your painter is generally a wealth of information about painting. Ask them questions!
House painting does not just involve a paintbrush or roller but rather paint scraping tools, sand paper etc. They say preparation is about 75% of the job and the 25% painting part is the easy bit !!. Expect this to be reflected in the cost of your job.
Preparation, preparation, preparation then paintHoles and cracks need proper filling
Old surfaces need good preparation
Appropriate safety and access equipment is essential.
Rotten or decaying surfaces (especially timber) may mean the surface needs work or the timber needs replacement.
Mould, water stains, wallpapers and glue, old plaster surfaces, rust, and flaky and powdery old paint are amongst the things that pose challenges. Old or raw surfaces often need cleaning and sealing. Rust needs treating. Old putties and fillers often need removing and replacing: cleaning and resealing with an appropriate product is often the key.
Filling and sanding takes time and the right products. Grime and dust may not be obvious but surfaces almost always need cleaning.
Blistering, flaking and peeling of paint on wooden surfaces is usually caused by moisture under paint. Painting over stains (for example, caused by water) can involve special steps, as can painting surfaces previously treated with stains and oils.
Water problems need proper fixing before you paint, and often another tradesman will need to do this for you. They are often a sign of a greater problem and your painter will rely on you if you say the problem is fixed. If its not, and the paint job then fails, your ability to complain will be limited. If inside, the problem may be condensation. Painting in wet areas requires special steps to be taken.
