We all wish that once a home was painted, we never had to touch that project again. Sadly, Mother Nature isn’t so friendly to paint, and almost every home will need new exterior paint around the 10-12 year mark. If your community is in need of a good paint job, don’t sweat! While painting is a big project, these steps outline the process so everyone can tackle it.

1. Plan

Every good project starts with planning. Exterior paint is best applied when temperatures are mild and rain is unlikely. Depending on where you live, your window of opportunity may be limited by season. If you know your community needs painting, start researching colors and companies in advance. If the HOA is responsible for painting, make sure to prioritize what gets painted when, especially if your budget won’t cover all the work at once.

Related: Do you Know Your HOA Guidelines on Barbeques and Grills?

2. Negotiate

Regardless of whether your community is condos or single-family homes, painters are likely to offer a price cut. Find a reputable painter and see if you can secure a discount. Anything that helps ease the hurt of an expensive project will help incentivize residents to take action and get their homes painted. If your community is townhomes or condos, or if HOA dues cover paint, make sure to ask for the following:

    • An itemized bid, as it will help you track where your money is going
    • A color board identifying recommendations for body and trim colors
    • Recommendations on types of paints that are best suited for your homes and your weather

3. Inspect! Inspect! Inspect!

We all want to trust that the work we’re paying for is being done correctly, but don’t. Even if your painter is excellent, painting a home is a big job and things can get overlooked. Do a thorough walk-through with the painter and get all the details fixed before you pay the bill. And then, even if everything looks good at completion, make sure to inspect the work over the next few months. A good paint job lasts years. If you notice any issues, especially after the winter months, make sure you contact the painter immediately. When inspecting, pay close attention for any chipping, cracking, or bubbling paint – especially on surfaces that get direct sunlight or rain.

Don’t let the size of your painting project scare you off. With the right plan and crew, a good paint job is just a few brush strokes away. Happy painting!