How To Prep Your Building for Painters (and What To Expect)

Embarking on a commercial painting project can significantly enhance the appearance and value of your building. Whether refreshing the exterior or giving the interior a new look, proper preparation and managed expectations are essential for ensuring a smooth and successful outcome.

Here's a comprehensive guide on preparing your building before the painters arrive and what to expect during the entire process.

Preparing Your Building for Painting

Clearing the Work Area

Clearing the work area is the first step in preparing your building for painting; this involves moving furniture, equipment, and other items away from walls and surfaces that need painting. 

If painting interior spaces, you should move all furniture, artwork, and decor out of the area; if certain items cannot be moved (such as large furniture), cover them with plastic sheets or drop cloths to protect them from paint splatters.

For exterior spaces, trim back plants and shrubs near the building and move outdoor furniture, grills, and decor to a safe distance.

Cleaning the Surfaces

Next, it is crucial to clean the surfaces scheduled for painting. Clean surfaces ensure better paint adhesion and a smoother finish. Dust and wipe down the walls, ceilings, and trim for interior walls. Pay extra attention to removing grease and soap residue in kitchens and bathrooms.

If painting exterior walls, pressure wash the surfaces to remove dirt, mold, and mildew, and allow sufficient time for the surfaces to completely dry before painting.

Repairing Damaged Areas

Another essential step is inspecting and repairing damaged areas before painting. Addressing these issues beforehand will result in a more professional and lasting paint job. Patch holes and cracks in the walls and sand rough areas if painting interior surfaces.

It's also vital to repair any water damage or mold issues; simply covering these spots up will make for a poor paint job and create more significant problems down the road.

For exteriors, fix cracks, holes, and damaged siding, replace any rotten wood, and caulk gaps around windows and doors.

Protecting Non-Paintable Areas

Protecting non-paintable areas is vital to preventing accidental paint splatters. Use painter's tape to cover trim, baseboards, windows, and door frames for interior spaces, and protect floors with drop cloths.

Cover windows, doors, and fixtures with plastic sheeting for exterior spaces, using tape to secure the coverings in place.

Ensuring Accessibility

Ensuring accessibility is another critical preparation step. Confirm that the painters have easy access to all areas needing painting, which might involve arranging for doors to be unlocked or ensuring that gates are open.

For interiors, ensure clear pathways and provide keys for locked areas if necessary. For exteriors, remove obstructions that might hinder access to the building's perimeter.

Communicating with the Painters

Clear communication with your painting contractor is essential for setting expectations and ensuring a smooth process. Discuss the scope of work, review the areas for painting, the colors, and any specific requirements you have.

Establish a timeline and confirm the start date, the project's expected duration, and working hours. Additionally, coordinate logistics by informing the painters of specific building protocols, such as parking restrictions or building access codes.

What to Expect During the Painting Process

Arrival and Setup

The painting crew will arrive on the first day and set up their equipment, including laying down drop cloths, setting up ladders and scaffolding, and organizing their supplies.

For interior setup, expect drop cloths on floors, furniture to be covered, and ladders and tools throughout the work area. Scaffolding may be present for exterior setup, and drop cloths will be over landscaping and walkways.

Surface Preparation

Proper surface preparation is vital to a high-quality paint job. The crew will spend time ensuring that surfaces are clean, smooth, and ready to be painted.

For interior preparation, this involves sanding walls, filling holes, and priming areas that require it. Exterior preparation includes scraping off loose paint, sanding rough areas, and applying primer to bare or repaired surfaces.

Priming and Painting

Once the surfaces are prepped, the actual painting process begins. Depending on the job, this may involve one or more coats of primer followed by one or more coats of paint.

Priming is essential for sealing the surface and providing a base for the paint, particularly on new drywall, repaired areas, and bare wood or metal. The painters will then apply the paint using brushes, rollers, or sprayers. Multiple coats may be necessary for full coverage and a uniform finish.

Quality Checks and Touch-Ups

After the paint is applied, the crew inspects their work and makes any necessary touch-ups - this ensures that the final result is even and professional.

For interior checks, this involves inspecting for any missed spots, drips, or uneven areas and correcting them. For exterior checks, it ensures that the paint is covered evenly and fixes any areas that need additional attention.

Cleanup and Final Inspection

Once the painting is complete, the crew will clean up the work area; this includes removing drop cloths, reassembling furniture, and disposing of any waste.

Interior cleanup involves cleaning up dust and debris, removing tape, and putting furniture back in place.

Exterior cleanup involves taking down scaffolding, removing coverings from plants and fixtures, and cleaning up the surrounding area.

Walk-Through and Approval

Finally, a walk-through with the painting contractor allows you to inspect the work and ensure it meets your expectations. Address any remaining concerns before final approval.

During the final walk-through, inspect the painted areas, discuss any issues, and ensure complete satisfaction with the work. Once you are satisfied, sign off on the completed project and discuss any warranties or maintenance tips provided by the contractor.

Work With SmithPro Commercial Painting

Preparing your building for painting and understanding the painting process can significantly affect the outcome of your project. By taking the necessary steps to clear and clean the work area, protect non-paintable areas, and communicate effectively with your painting contractor, you can ensure a smooth and successful painting experience.

Our SmithPro Commercial Painting team is here to help. We have been serving commercial property owners in Greater St. Louis for decades. We can paint office buildings, schools, churches, retail stores, restaurants, you name it!

Our competitive pricing and high-quality craftsmanship set us apart and sustain our commitment to excellence. Let us help you with your painting needs, and contact us today!