Painting & Staining Costs
Most homeowners spend between $269 and $2,514 nationally. Get free estimates from local painting & staining contractors.
Doing your own painting and staining can be an outlet for artistic expression as well as a way to save money. DIY painters can produce excellent results when they thoroughly research paint options, purchase all the necessary supplies, and follow a few specific guidelines to increase the likelihood of success.
Featured Project
Paint a Metal Roof
Select Your Painting & Staining Project
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Paint a Home Exterior
$2,490average cost -
Paint a Home Interior
$1,679average cost -
Paint a Mural or Tromp Loeil
$1,221average cost -
Sandblast an Exterior Surface
$1,216average cost -
Seal a Roof
$1,109average cost -
Seal a Deck
$761average cost -
Remove Wallpaper
$709average cost -
Paint a Small Project
$606average cost -
Install Wallpaper
$486average cost -
Power Wash Exterior Surfaces
$269average cost -
Get free estimates from local contractors for your painting & staining project.
Prior to purchasing supplies, a do-it-yourself painter will need to decide on a color and any special techniques or effects he or she would like to create. People who do not already have an idea in mind may wish to browse magazines or search for photos online to determine the desired look. At this point, it is time to go shopping for supplies.
Choosing Paint and Gathering Supplies
While paint is one of the more obvious supplies that will be needed, choosing paint is not as simple as just picking a color. For example, giving your home a new paint job may be a prime opportunity to replace your current paint with a healthier, more eco-friendly alternative that may not have been available when the original paint was put in place. These alternatives are particularly attractive when painting indoor areas.
Oil-based paints and some latex counterparts contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. When some people are exposed to VOCs, they may experience dizziness, nausea, eye irritation, respiratory discomfort or asthma attacks. There is even concern that kidney disease, liver disease or cancer may occur as a result of long-term exposure to these compounds. Fortunately, consumers may purchase low odor/low VOC paints, zero VOC products and even natural, plant-based paints.
People who wish to stain or apply a protective coat to wood floors may also find eco-friendly wood stains that contain no VOCs, are water-based, and free of solvents. As an alternative, natural stains can be made at home using alum and other natural ingredients. The area in which the paint or stain will be used will also have a major impact on the type that will be needed.
Paint and stains that will be used in outdoor areas must be able to withstand the weather. Features to look for in outdoor paints include resistance to mold and mildew, fade resistance, durability and ease of application. Stains should ideally provide a waterproof seal on wood surfaces. These products are also available in environmentally friendly formulas.
Apart from paint, drop cloths, rollers, brushes, painter's tape, base coat and paint trays will be needed. These can all be purchased at a local hardware or home improvement store and are available in various sizes, depending on the size of the area in which they will be used.
Prep Work
After determining the type of paint that will be needed in the desired shade and finish and obtaining all the required supplies, there are other steps that may be taken to ensure smooth paint application with lasting results that are as close to appearing professional as possible. First, dressing appropriately in old clothes and comfortable shoes that will be okay when exposed to paint will increase comfort and minimize frustration. If using a traditional paint with a high VOC content, a mask should be worn over the mouth and nose to avoid inhaling unhealthy chemicals. Outdoor painting will likely require a ladder.
Preparing to Apply a Stain
Prep work for staining will require more effort than painting. Sanding is an important step that must be completed prior to staining a wood floor. It is important to sand evenly and remove all stains, burn marks and other imperfections from the the floor during this stage. Any mistakes that are left while sanding will show up when staining; therefore, it is necessary to exercise caution. If in doubt, it may be best to hire a contractor to complete the sanding process.
Last updated on May 2, 2017
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Painting & Staining
