If your house needs a new exterior coat, you have the choice of a professional or a DIY paint job. Professional painters have the experience and manpower to complete your project in a timely manner–but they can also be expensive. If you have the experience, or you’re willing to do some research, DIY home painting can save you money.

There are many pros and cons to this DIY project, not the least of which is the cost difference. However, if you don’t complete the DIY home painting properly, you’ll end up creating a mess that will cost more to clean up. Here are some DIY painting tips to consider before you tackle your project.

Question #1: Do I Have DIY Home Painting Experience?

Exterior DIY home painting is not for anyone who doesn’t have experience with paint or working on a ladder. When considering a professional or DIY paint job, you need to be honest about your experience. However, if you’ve ever painted a room with a roller and brush, chances are you are qualified for your painting DIY project.

Question #2: How Much Will I Save by Doing it Myself?

The main reason for completing a DIY home painting project is to save money. The difference between a professional or DIY paint job can be several thousand dollars. DIY home painting will definitely save you money in the short and long run.

If you are considering a DIY project, here is what you’ll have to to consider:

• Cost of paint: Price for paint differs according to brand and quality. When it comes to paint, you can buy it in quart, gallon, or five gallon containers. For an exterior DIY home painting job, you’ll probably need a couple of five gallon buckets.
• Necessary tools: For this DIY project, you will need to have some tools. This includes everything from brushes to sprayers. Buying the right tools usually costs more than buying all of the paint.
• Additional costs, such as new lumber and siding: If you have to replace any of your exterior siding, or you’re adding new additions, you’ll need lumber to complete this part of a DIY home painting project. If you don’t have the proper carpentry tools, you’ll have to buy them as well.

Question #3: Do I Have The Time to Complete this Project?

This DIY project is time consuming. Unless you’re retired (or just have lots of free time on your hands), a professional will get your home painting job done quicker. If you work a full-time job or have family obligations to attend to, you will have to make time on weekends and holidays for DIY home painting. If you don’t mind doing that, you should definitely consider painting your house yourself.

If you don’t want to spend your free time on a ladder with a paintbrush, a professional might be the better choice. Make sure to measure the pros and cons of a professional or DIY paint job when making your decision.