How to Prepare Your Home for Interior Painters: A Checklist

What should you do before painters arrive?

Handle the personal items and decisions; leave the protection and surface preparation to the crew.

Start with the things only you can do. Pack away small decorative items, photos, books on open shelves, electronics and anything fragile or valuable. Take down artwork, mirrors, curtains and wall-mounted TVs if you are comfortable doing so, or ask at the estimate whether the crew can help with specific items. Empty closets that are being painted.

Then make the decisions that keep the job moving: final colors, sheens for walls, ceilings and trim, and which rooms come first. A change of color after the first coat is on costs time. If you are unsure, test samples on two or three walls a few days before the start date.

What does a professional painting crew take care of?

Protection and preparation: floors, furniture, fixtures and the surfaces themselves.

On our jobs, before any work begins, floors are covered, furniture is moved and draped, fixtures are masked and surfaces are prepared for proper adhesion. Preparation includes filling holes, repairing cracks, sanding glossy areas and priming repairs so they do not show through the finish coat. We tidy up as we go, because you live in your home while we work in it.

Heavy or delicate furniture such as pianos, large antiques or loaded bookcases should be discussed at the estimate. Sometimes it makes sense to work around them in place with careful protection rather than moving them.

For the bigger picture, read our guide: How Much Does Interior Painting Cost per Room in Massachusetts?

How do you prepare pets and kids for interior painting?

Keep them out of active work areas and away from open paint, ladders and wet surfaces.

Choose a closed room or area of the house that is not being painted that day, and let the crew know where pets will be so doors are not left open by mistake. Wet paint and curious paws or small hands do not mix. If someone in the home is sensitive to odors, ask about low-odor product options and plan for ventilation.

What should you agree on before the first day?

Start and finish times, parking, access to water and a bathroom, and how you will communicate during the job.

A short conversation prevents most first-day friction. Confirm what time the crew arrives, where the work vehicle can park, which door they should use and whether they can use a utility sink for cleanup. Agree on who the point of contact is for questions and how updates will be shared.

Finally, confirm the scope in writing: rooms, surfaces, number of coats, repairs included and colors. A clear scope protects both you and the contractor. Our post on comparing painting estimates explains what a complete scope should include.

What should you check at the end of the job?

Walk each room in good light with the crew and point out anything you want looked at.

When the work is done, we walk through it with you and go over anything you would like us to look at. Check edges along ceilings and trim, patched areas, door edges and closet interiors if they were included. Ask for leftover paint to be labeled by room so future touch-ups are simple.

Pre-painting checklist

• Final colors and sheens chosen and written down.
• Small items, electronics and valuables packed away.
• Art, mirrors and curtains taken down.
• Closets being painted emptied.
• Pets and kids planned for on work days.
• Parking, entry door and start time confirmed.
• Scope confirmed in writing.