Lots of exterior house painters are out there, and each one has their unique skills and methods. The level of craftsmanship, preparation, and finishing touches they use can make a big difference in how long your home’s exterior lasts and how it looks.
These pros have different levels of experience with different materials. Some are better at matching colors and textures, while others are better at handling complex architectural features.
In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of exterior house painting, guide you through choosing the best professional painters by understanding their credentials, past work, and project management skills, and weigh the benefits and challenges of DIY versus hiring professionals.
We’ll explore the essential qualities to look for in painters, such as proper licensing, comprehensive insurance, and a history of satisfied customers.
So, before you commit, let’s dive into what makes an exterior house painter worthy of your home’s externals.
Why Exterior House Painting Matters
Exterior house painting is about more than just looks. It offers real, practical benefits for your property. The right paint can increase your home’s value by up to 10%, prevent mold growth, and improve energy efficiency by reflecting sunlight, thereby reducing cooling costs.
If you decide to paint, working with exterior house painters is the best way to get high-quality, long-lasting results. Exterior house painting can offer homeowners numerous benefits:
- Increases the home’s attractiveness: Fresh exterior paint can make your home look cleaner, more modern, and even larger. Moreover, real estate experts recommend curb appeal as a cost-effective way to improve a home’s marketability.
- Protects from the elements: Quality exterior paint creates a protective barrier against weather damage from rain, snow, and UV rays. Regularly maintaining your home’s surfaces can extend their lifespan and help you avoid expensive future repairs.
- Prevents mold and mildew: Exterior paint seals out moisture, which is particularly important in humid areas. This prevents the development of harmful mold and mildew that can damage your home’s structure and pose health hazards to you and your family.
- Increases energy efficiency: Light or reflective paint colors can help keep your home cooler in the summer by reflecting sunlight. This insulation effect also helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures year-round, potentially lowering your energy bills.
- Improves structural integrity: Painting can reveal and address structural issues like dry rot or termite damage early on, allowing you to preserve your home’s structural integrity and avoid major future repairs.
- Increases property value: As mentioned, experts estimate that a well-painted home can increase its value by 5-10%. A fresh paint job can lead to faster sales and higher market prices.
- Offers personal flair: Exterior painting lets you personalize your home’s appearance. By providing a wide variety of color and finish options, you can express your unique style and make your home stand out in the neighborhood.
- Extends siding lifespan: Paint is a protective layer for siding materials like wood and vinyl, extending their durability against external factors. This can reduce the frequency and cost of siding replacements down the line.
- Uplifts neighborhood aesthetics: When homeowners maintain well-painted homes, it can inspire neighborhood revitalization, foster community pride, and promote overall area property values.
Employing professional painters ensures the job is done safely and effectively, with high-quality results that DIY efforts might not match. Professionals can handle complex features and reach difficult areas, ensuring a thorough and lasting application.
In Kansas, Koehn Painting is a trusted local provider of exterior house painting services. Our team of skilled professionals brings extensive knowledge and dedication to every project, ensuring each job is completed with the highest precision and quality. When you choose Koehn Painting, you can have confidence that your investment is in good hands.
Contact us here if you would like to find the best exterior painting contractor for your residential or commercial painting needs.
How To Choose the Best Professional Exterior Painters: What To Look For
Choosing the right professional exterior painters means undergoing several background checks to ensure that they comply with general standards and can provide the best service.
You need to check the credentials and experience of exterior house painters, understand the importance of detailed written estimates, and ensure the use of high-quality materials.
Customers should follow several steps, from reviewing previous feedback to analyzing the company’s background and offer, before choosing the best painting contractors.
1. Start with referrals
Ask your friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations. Consult online forums and review sites, such as Yelp, to gather insights from the community about reputable local painters.
2. Compare multiple professionals
Schedule consultations with at least 3 different painters. This will give you a range of options and allow you to assess their professionalism and attention to detail.
3. Verify credentials and experience
Ensure the painters satisfy your requirements by:
- Searching for licenses and insurance;
- Looking for trade association membership, which reflects a commitment to industry standards
- Reviewing their portfolio and feedback to evaluate their experience.
It’s a good idea to research the contractor before hiring them. Check with the Better Business Bureau or a local consumer protection agency. This can help you find out if the contractor has a history of unresolved complaints from previous customers.
4. Detailed written estimates and scope of work
Obtain detailed estimates that break down the costs and include extensive preparation details. This includes knowing how long it will take from the beginning to the end of the project and the expected outcome.
5. Quality of materials
Confirm the painter plans to use high-quality paints and materials suitable for your home’s exterior. Premium products often provide better protection against weather elements.
6. Contract and guarantees
The agreement should comprehensively cover the job description, timelines, payment schedules, and any guarantees against paint failures.
7. Insurance and safety
Verify the painter’s insurance coverage, and if your home was built before 1978, ensure they have the required certifications to handle lead paint.
8. Communication and professionalism
Opt for a painter who communicates clearly and professionally, outlining the process, timeline, and potential challenges.
9. Payment terms and final walkthrough
Discuss payment terms based on completed milestones for phased payments. Conduct a final walkthrough to ensure the job meets your standards before making the final payment.
If you’re looking for professional exterior house painting services in Wichita, carefully check the painters’ qualifications, experience, and dedication to quality work. Confirm they’re licensed and insured and follow strict safety protocols, especially for older homes.
To get a solid understanding of how to improve your home’s exterior, check out different design ideas and professional guidance. Focus on adding useful and visually appealing features that work well with your new paint. This will help you create an attractive and well-rounded exterior design.
DIY vs. Hiring Professional Exterior House Painters
When deciding whether to paint your home’s exterior yourself or hire professional exterior house painters, there are pros and cons to consider.
Doing it yourself can be cost-effective and give you a sense of personal accomplishment. However, it requires a significant time commitment, specialized skills, and comfort working at heights with ladders and scaffolding. DIY painting also carries the risk of mistakes that could lead to additional costs or a bad result.
On the flip side, hiring professional exterior house painters offers many advantages. They bring expertise in surface preparation, painting techniques, and material selection to provide a high-quality, long-lasting finish.
Professionals also have the proper equipment and insurance to safely handle complex architecture and heights.
How much does a DIY exterior painting of a house cost?
DIY can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the size of your home, the condition of the surfaces, and the type and quality of paint you use. A basic job for a small 1,000 sq. ft. house might start around $2,800, while extensive work on a large 5,000+ sq. ft. house could cost up to $18,000.
If opting for DIY, initial savings from not paying for labor can be appealing; however, these can be offset by the costs of purchasing necessary equipment and high-quality paint—prices can range from $20 to $70 per gallon, depending on the type. Furthermore, factors like the complexity of the surface and the need for repairs or priming can also increase the total cost.
Exterior paint prices overview
| Paint Type | Suitable Surfaces | Price Range per Gallon | Estimated Cost for 5 Gallons |
| Acrylic Latex | Cement, Drywall | $20 – $50 | $100 – $250 |
| Water-based Latex | Cement, Drywall | $20 – $50 | $100 – $250 |
| Oil-based | Wood | $20 – $70 | $100 – $350 |
| Masonry | Brick, Stucco | $25 – $55 | $125 – $275 |
Hiring professional painters may have a higher upfront cost, but the potentially higher quality, efficiency, and reduced job hassle can justify the cost.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your budget, time availability, skill level, and comfort with the physical demands of exterior painting. Carefully weighing the tradeoffs can help you determine the best approach for your home.
Reach out today for a complimentary estimate and see how a vigorous, professionally painted home can remake your space.
