For the landlord that leans toward being a do-it-yourself person, painting your rental property’s interior is something you’ll do many times. But even a painting job that seems simple and easy still takes time, planning, and the right information to get professional results. Whether or not you’ve painted your Ellicott City rental property’s interior before doesn’t really matter. There are still some important do’s and don’ts to know that will make the job easier and faster.
DO be thorough and take the time to prepare all of the surfaces you want to be painted. The professionals at Five Star Painting stated that first, switch and cover plates should be removed, and then you can have holes or cracks patched, sanded, and wiped down with a lint-free cloth. Allow plenty of time for this process, and give it even more time if you have large patched areas that need to dry.
DON’T get cheap paint and tools and think that doing so can save you money. Quality paint, brushes, and rollers will make the job easier, give you better coverage per coat, and can be reused for future jobs. Yes, it will cost more upfront, but if you are planning to own your rental long-term, you’ll be painting it many times.
DO start with the ceilings and by cutting in the walls and trim. This is very important to get the best possible result. When you’re cutting in, you’re doing the process of painting neat lines around doors, windows, ceilings, and trim. The experts at Five Star Painting weigh in again, saying that this bit of the process can be time-consuming, but if you want your paint job to look good, it will really pay off.
DON’T wait until you’re done before you clean spills or drips. Let the mess interrupt what you’re doing and clean it up with a clean, wet rag immediately. Wet paint isn’t really a problem to clean, you can wipe it right off, but dry paint may not come out of carpet or other materials.
DO make sure to tape off all windows, trim, floors, and anywhere else you don’t want to be painted. Placing high-quality painter’s tape in the right areas is how to get nice crisp paint lines and protect your surfaces from drips and other errors. Also, be sure to cover any floors or furniture with clean drop cloths.
DON’T be too fast and immediately replace the switch and cover plates, shelving, or anything else wall-mounted too soon. Paint needs time to dry sufficiently. You need to wait for it to dry before attempting to replace anything wall-mounted. You run the risk of wrecking the paint job if you act too hastily.
DO hire Real Property Management Essentials. Giving your rental property’s interior a fresh coat of paint takes time, and in the real estate industry, time is money. So do partner with a great property management company who will handle all the hard work and time-consuming tasks for you. We know some amazing vendors in Ellicott City who offer quality painting services at fair prices, and we will manage the entire process– from start to finish– for you. To know more about what we can do for you, please contact us online or give us a ring at 410-832-3138.
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