Is It Worth It To Paint Your Own House

June 29, 2021

Should You DIY Paint The Exterior Of Your House?

Some house-owners think it's worth the time and effort to paint their house themselves, while others would rather hire a professional. In this blog post, we will explore both sides of the house painting debate and help you decide if it is worth painting your house yourself.


The house painting debate is very much a personal preference. Some people enjoy the DIY project of house-painting, while others prefer to save their time and hire a professional. There are pros and cons for both sides, but deciding if it's worth paint your own house yourself will depend on what you value more: saving money or saving your own time.

DIY House Painting Pros:

Here are some pros to painting your own house. First, homeowners can save a significant amount of money. If they paint their house themselves. Homeowners do not pay for labor costs in dollars, and the painting materials may cost less when you buy direct. House painting will also provide owners with some personal satisfaction knowing that they completed this project on their own. Lastly, house painting is something that most homeowners can complete on their own since it doesn't require a license or specialized training.

DIY House Painting

DIY House Painting Cons:

Here are some cons to DIY house painting: DIY house painting will often take more time than the professional painter spends on a paint job. And the pros also typically have their own tricks for speeding up the process. Homeowners may find it difficult or impossible to to paint their house in the same manner that a professional painter would. Many pro painters also now how to avoid mistakes and minimize issues that could trip up a DIYer.


Consider this aspect - the tools. Professional painters already have the necessary tools to paint the exterior of a house. They have a spray painter (an extremely useful and efficient tool), brushes, drop cloths, mixing materials and more. Renting or purchasing these materials is certainly easy for the DIYer, but then what will you do with them after you buy them? And can you accurately predict how long you'd need them if you rented? Remember, you don't control the weather which may increase your rental time.

If You DIY Paint Your House - Preparation Is The Key

Many DIY painters want to "save" some money and time but often go too far in their efforts to save. The biggest item that a DIY painter should remember is to invest the time and money in preparation. Here's a few things that must be done before painting:


  • The house needs to be thoroughly cleaned before painting. A pressure washer is easiest for most homes.
  • If you're not sure how to clean your house first, hire a professional cleaner or read the instructions on paint can labels about what is needed for cleaning and prepping ahead of time.
  • Invest in good quality brushes, rollers, and other tools because they will make all the difference in your house painting project.
  • If you are using a roller, make sure to use the right kind of paint too. Flat paints work better with rollers and brushes than semi-glosses or glosses will--which can "paint themselves" onto the surface because they're so glossy!
  • It's also important to prepare the surface effectively by sanding and sealing areas that need it. Paint will not stick to peeling places and using caulk to seal any leaky areas is very effective.
  • Check the house for any imperfections, loose nails, or holes and fix them. These things can be troublesome down the line, so it's best to get rid of them before you start painting!
  • When choosing a color scheme for your house paint job make sure that all colors are compatible with each other. If one is too bold or bright, it can be be an eyesore and cause you to repaint.


What Weather Is Best To DIY Paint The Outside Of Your House?

The best weather to paint the exterior of your house is either in fall or spring because these are typically mild and dry seasons with no snow. In winter, it's hard for contractors to work on house painting projects due to ice and snow and there may be additional costs associated with cleanup if rain washes away some of the paint. Ideally, you want the outside temperate to be to be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.


The best time to get any home improvement project done is when the temperature and humidity are relatively low, as these conditions make it easier for materials to adhere properly without cracking or peeling off prematurely. The worst weather condition for exterior painting is  high humidity, which can result in chalking and premature paint failure.

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