You've heard the expression, "The devil's in the details." Well when it comes to painting, the devil's in the prep work. And it can be a heck of a job. Repairing damaged walls, filling holes, spackling, sanding and priming are all important steps to a perfect paint job. Be realistic about your abilities. If you're not comfortable with these chores, consider hiring a professional. A painting contractor will take care of choosing the right paint and prepping the surfaces.

Pros of Do-it-Yourself Painting
Without question, the primary advantage to DIY painting is a large cut in the cost of getting the job done. The only expenses are the supplies, such as primer, paint, paintbrushes, drop clothes, etc. The distinct downside is that saving money may be the only valid argument for DIY painting that belongs in the pro column.

Pros of Hiring a Professional Painter
• Painting takes time. Whereas a homeowner can get stuck in the middle of a paint project due to lack of time, professionals are able to focus on the task at hand and get the job done, often in just one to two days. The average homeowner who works a full-time job takes, on average, up to a month to complete an exterior paint job. In addition, one company kept records which indicated that one out of five people who tackle do-it-yourself paint jobs end up hiring a professional to finish the work.

• If something goes wrong with the paint job, most professional painters are covered by insurance and can make things right.

• In theory, painting is easy. Reality is a different story, however. It requires skill, the proper tools, and the right paint to accomplish a professional-quality paint job.

• Allowing professionals to do your painting can mean that you have saved yourself the pain and hassle of being injured. The majority of all ladder accidents involve falls from step ladders, from 2’ to 6’ high.

• Professionals have the right tools for achieving a quality paint job. If a homeowner were to purchase the high-quality supplies and equipment that a pro uses, it would be very costly. Even the use of certain paint brushes for certain types of paint and for certain parts of the project make a big difference, and the professionals know the best brushes as well as rollers to use.

• An amateur may not realize the importance of using certain types of paint in certain
parts of the home, a problem that won’t arise with professionals on the job.

• The tough parts of a paint job are standard procedure for a professional. Wherever taping is needed, for example, it will be done expertly with clean lines.

• Professionals use paint that produces the best results, both for beauty and durability.

• Painting is what the professionals specialize in. It only makes sense that they will do a better job than an amateur and will know what problems to avoid and best practices to apply. After all, they know all the tricks of the trade.

2. Prep for paint. Paint preparation is the foundation for the entire job — if done correctly your paint will perform to its fullest potential. If done incorrectly, the best paint will crack, peel, or chip easily. Make any necessary repairs before you start your painting project. Dirty walls should be cleaned, especially near the stove and sink. Greasy deposits and soap scum can interfere with paint's adhesion.

3. Hiring a professional. The contract should include what will be done and the products used. This includes the type and amount of surface preparation, priming and type of primer, and the brand of paint. Also include how many coats of paint will be included.

4. Ask about extra costs. Removing heavy furniture may not be included in the painter’s estimates. If you can’t do it, ask if there will be an extra charge. Also, having to paint crown molding, baseboards or walls/ceilings taller than the average of 8 feet can also add to costs.

5. Pick a paint color. Keep in mind the perceived space of the room. Dark colors tend to make a room look smaller, while light colors open up the space. Test drive your color by investing in a quart-sized (or smaller) can of paint in the color you’re thinking of using before you buy a bigger (and more expensive) can. Paint a small portion of your wall and watch the color in different lights throughout the day so you don’t get stuck with a color that only looks how you want it to look in broad daylight. Stick with neutral colors if you’re planning to sell your home. Keep in mind that buyers want to be able to visualize their things in your home.

6. Choose a finish. If you have many imperfections on your walls, consider a flat paint, but keep in mind flat paint is harder to clean. An eggshell finish has slight shine/gloss and is also good for walls, but holds up better with cleaning. A general rule is the higher the sheen, the better it will stand up to washing and cleaning.