Author: Gray Rollins

Interview each potential candidate to determine if they have proper experience with your type of job. Ask for references and follow up on those to ensure they have a sound customer base of happy clients. Ask to see pictures of work examples so you can visualize the type of work they perform.

If you have an older home, you may have lead paint. According to this is potentially hazardous but an experienced home painter will know what to do and how to dispose of materials to minimize risk. A painter will know how to avoid hazards to keep the family safe while completing a quality job. A painter should already have all the supplies and tools specific to house painting.

After interviewing and collecting quotes, decide on the painter to hire. Choose the painter who has the best combination of skill and price. You will work closely with this person to communicate color choices and specifications, so be sure you pick someone you are comfortable talking with. A quality painter will make sure the job is finished properly.

Word of mouth is the best way to get a quality painter. People who are satisfied with the type of work a painter has done for them in the past will be eager to refer them for other jobs. Once you have your painting project complete and you are satisfied with the quality, keep the painter’s details handy in case you have another project or a friend needs a referral.

Author: Brooke Sikula

Nothing can rejuvenate the exterior of a home quite like a fresh new coat of paint. A good paint job can make even the oldest home look like new, but it is important to make sure that the color you choose matches not only your sense of style but the surrounding landscape as well.

It is important to pay careful attention to the exterior landscape of your home when choosing the right color. It is also important to assess how you feel about the current color of your home. If you like the color of your home as it is, perhaps all you need to do is brighten it up a bit with a fresh coat of paint or a lighter shade.

If, however, you have always hated the exterior color of your home and wondered what the previous owners were thinking, it may be best to make a radical change. We have all seen those houses where everything is attractive except the color, and a radical departure may be in order. After all, if purple and pink is not your style it may be best to make a complete change, from the paint to the exterior landscape.

As you search for the perfect color for your home, it is a good idea to bring along a picture of your home and its current color scheme. Doing so will help you match your new exterior color to your existing landscape. For instance, if you have a dramatic landscape element like a red rosebush, you may want to accent that feature by using a contrasting color like yellow or white.

Likewise, if the exterior elements of your home are light, you may want to use a dramatic and dark color like brick red when remaking the exterior of your home. Either way, it is important to take the landscape elements of your home into account.

It is also important to shop carefully when buying your paint. It is important to buy the best quality paint you can afford. After all, no one wants to repaint their home every few years. If you skimp on the quality of the paint, you will end up repainting your home more quickly than you want. In addition, the color of poor quality paint will not hold up to sunlight, so your dramatic red house could end up looking somewhat pink in years to come.

Buying the best quality paint you can afford, and taking care to paint well, is the best way to improve both the beauty and the value of your home. Few home repairs are as effective, and as inexpensive, as a fresh new coat of paint.

For more information on home improvement and help with kitchen remodeling, take a look at our comprehensive home improvement guide.