DIY vs. Professional Exterior House Painting

Unlike DIY, professional exterior house painting services are not prone to errors.

When it’s time to paint the exterior of a house, homeowners have a dilemma about whether to do it as a DIY project or hire a professional. On one hand, DIY house exterior painting might seem plausible. On the other hand, the worry of failing to achieve a professional look makes expert services sound better.

Here are the pros and cons of DIY and professional exterior house painting:

DIY exterior house painting

A DIY exterior house painting project can give a homeowner a sense of accomplishment when completed. However, painting a home’s exterior is never easy, and a homeowner needs to make the following considerations before choosing this method:

• Prior exterior house painting experience: To take on this project, a homeowner should have prior experience to help them prepare the exterior surface for painting, protect adjacent surfaces that don’t need painting, coat the base, and clean up after painting. If homeowners can comfortably carry out these tasks, they can proceed with the DIY project.

• Upfront costs: A DIY project won’t incur labor costs, but a homeowner will need paint, brushes, sprayers, scaffoldings, a ladder, and drop cloths. If these items aren’t readily available, the homeowner must buy them. It would be worthwhile to proceed with a DIY project if the cost of the items is much lower than that of hiring a professional.

• House size and design: DIY exterior painting is appropriate for a small to medium-sized house without a sophisticated design.

Pros

• Budget-friendly when tools are available

• Offers the opportunity to learn or perfect skills

• Complete control over color customization

Cons

• It might take too long to complete

• Unavailability of specialized tools

• High chance of making mistakes

• Professional exterior house painting

Unlike DIY, professional exterior house painting services are not prone to errors. Plus, the services have a warranty if the paint wears within a specified time. Here are some other considerations:

• A homeowner intends to sell the house: A property’s external appearance significantly influences its value because it’s the first thing potential buyers see. Since professionals have the skills and knowledge to give a house an appealing look without blemishes, they’re better suited for the work in this case.

• The house exterior is damaged: If a house has areas needing repair, leaving the work to a professional can prevent further damage.

• A house has intricate details: Since professionals have the tools and prior experience, they can handle houses with intricate designs to give a consistent look.

• There are safety hazards: When a house has hazardous exposure that a homeowner has never encountered, it’s not worth risking injury. Professionals know how to handle such areas. Besides, they have insurance coverage should accidents occur.

Pros

• Unmatched exterior painting results

• Saves time because of collaboration

• Offers warranty

Cons

• Costs more than a DIY

• Limited customization control

• Requires research to find the best service provider

The verdict

Unless a homeowner has budget constraints, choosing professional exterior house painting services is better than DIY. They have the tools and expertise to complete the painting quickly without compromising quality.