Undergoing a home painting project can be time consuming and at times expensive. Taking on a do-it-yourself project is one way to save money, but the tradeoff is the investment of your time. Here are some supplies and tips to help you save money on your project:

Edger – Typically masking tape or painters’ tape has been used to tape off trim; however, it isn’t the cheapest nor the most efficient method. A paint edger is a simple, low-cost tool that allows you to paint close to trim without going over it. The pad is washable so it can be used over and over again, and there is no need to remove tape when the job is done.

Metal Paint Tray – Buying a bunch of disposable paint trays can get costly. By purchasing a metal paint tray, you will only need to purchase cheap plastic liners for each paint project. It will also save you clean-up, as you can just toss the inexpensive liner after use.

Quality Paint –  It can be very tempting to purchase the cheapest paint available, but it isn’t really the bargain that it appears to be. Low quality paint generally requires multiple applications to cover a surface, which will likely result in you using more paint. It’s better to purchase quality one-coat paint. You pay more per gallon, but you won’t need as much of it compared to a cheaper paint and you will save time on the job as well.

Precise Prep – Take the time to prep the area you’re going to be painting thoroughly. This will require some scrubbing and possibly scraping, but you need to make sure there is no dirt or grime on the surface that will cause your paint to flake off shortly after. It’s worth it in the long run.

No time to paint your whole house yourself?  Contact the Atkinson Painters at CertaPro for a free house painting estimate.