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Choosing the best professional painter for your project

Even the keenest DIYers need a little help sometimes. Whether you’ve got a tricky external paint project or you simply don’t have the time – or the desire – to do the job yourself, there are many advantages to calling in the pros. But not all professional painters are created equal. Here’s how to make sure you employ the best person for the job.

Where to start

If you need help finding a painter in your area, simply fill in the handy Resene Find-A-Painter form at your local Resene ColorShop or online, including details for the decorating job you need assistance with. Your details will be passed on to up to three professional painters who will contact you for a quote. Resene recommends that you meet all three painters, compare the quotes and select the professional who is best suited to the job.

If sustainability is high on your list of must-haves, consider a Resene Eco.Decorator, a programme which recognises environmentally responsible, quality-focused painting contractors. They not only use Eco Choice-approved Resene paints, but also make sure paint is applied in a sustainable way and waste materials are cleaned up in a responsible manner. Only contractors who successfully meet these standards can promote themselves as an authentic Resene Eco.Decorator.

What questions should I ask my painter?

Never pick a painter based on price alone. If there is huge variation in the quotes you receive, ask each painter to break down the price.

“This will also give you an idea of the extra work that they are preparing to do that you may not have thought about,” says Ashleigh Strange, Resene ColorShop support. “A very cheap quote might indicate a painter is cutting corners with prep work or the quality of the job.”

Meet with your painter in person in daylight to discuss the job and show them the areas that need painting. If repainting the exterior of your house, the painter will need to assess the condition of the original finish and the level of prep required. Popular exterior paint Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen does not require pre-priming, but if the builder is painting over existing paint that is flaking or peeling, significant sanding and priming may be required with a product such as Resene Quick Dry.

“Appoint one person in the household to be the main contact with the painter,” says Ashleigh.
“This will minimise confusion when perhaps one person asks for work to be done that is contrary to what the other person has already requested.”

Before your painter gets started, confirm the scope of the job up front, address the estimated time frames or deadlines, the predicted amount of paint, whether scaffolding will be required, whether any furniture needs to be moved, and who will be in charge of clean up at the end of the job.

Like any relationship, Johnny Warwick from Profile Painters says good communication is very important. He suggests that you write down any changes or special requests to help keep track of these as the project progresses.

When choosing a professional painter, it’s a good idea to elect one person in the household to be the sole point of contact. This will eliminate any potential issues that might arise around instructions and paint finishes, etc.

What type of paint?

Resene has paint options suitable for every surface, and your painter or the paint experts at your Resene ColorShop will be able to make recommendations on the type of paint you should use for your project. Be prepared to have a discussion about the level of sheen you desire as this is a personal choice.

“The painter will have their recommendation and know what the popular choices are, and can describe the pros and cons of each to you. But at the end of the day you get to decide the sheen level,” says Ashleigh. “If you want full gloss, have a full gloss.”

Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is a popular waterborne paint suitable for a wide range of exterior surfaces. Resene Sonyx 101 is a semi-gloss exterior paint that can be good for highlighting architectural features or for villas. Surfaces painted in gloss or semi-gloss paints tend to be easier to clean but can show up imperfections already present on the surface and can produce glare.

Inside the home, Resene SpaceCote is a popular durable finish available in a matte finish (Resene SpaceCote Flat) and a low sheen finish (Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen). Matte or flat paints are more forgiving when painting over imperfections, but they are harder to clean. If scuffing is likely, a low sheen or semi-gloss finish may be more appropriate – that’s why trims, wainscoting and front doors are usually painted in semi-gloss or gloss paints such as Resene Lustacryl and Resene Enamacryl.

Resene Ceiling Paint is a popular flat paint designed for – you guessed it – ceilings. If flies are a problem in your home, you may wish to ask your painter to add Resene Fly Deterrent to Resene SpaceCote Flat to prevent fly spots. If you are houseproud and like to be able to wipe your ceilings, definitely choose Resene SpaceCote Flat as it is much more washable than normal ceiling paints.

If you need extra advice, you can also use the free Resene Ask a Paint Expert service.

Johnny recommends you make sure you clear rooms of as much clutter as possible before your painter arrives and keep pets and kids well away from the areas being painted – before, during and after.

Pick your colours in advance and grab some Resene testpots and paint your colour options onto pieces of card so you can try them around your home and see them in different lights.

What about colours?

Colours are another personal preference, but no matter what colour you choose, “make sure your painter is using Resene paint so the colour looks right” says Ashleigh.

“And don’t accept less expensive colour ‘matches’,” she adds.

Resene paints use specific tinters and base colours that only Resene has, and colour matches with other brands will not produce a true colour or have the same durability.

To pick your colours, use Resene testpots to paint an A3 or larger piece of cardboard in two coats, leaving an unpainted border around the edge, and test the colour in different parts of your home and at different times of the day, to see how the colour looks in different lighting.

If you’re having trouble choosing colours for your project, you may wish to consider using a Resene Colour Consultant.

“A good time to use a Resene Colour Consultant is when you are feeling overwhelmed, or if you have a specific query about historic architectural features, or council requirements in your area,” advises Ashleigh. You can request a colour consultation by filling in this form. For other colour questions you can ask a colour expert at your local Resene ColorShop or use the free Resene Ask a Colour Expert service online.

Top tip:

Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is a waterborne exterior paint based on a tough 100 per cent acrylic resin to ensure maximum durability in all exposed conditions. This Eco Choice-approved paint is ideal for many exterior surfaces, including weatherboards, timber fences, bricks, blockwork and stucco. It’s also now available in a matt finish for weatherboards and fences if you need a lower sheen option.