Learn · Guide
how to prepare your home for painters.
The date is booked and the paint is chosen. Here is exactly what to do before we arrive, and what to leave to us.
- LicensedNSW 450329C
- $20MPublic liability insured
- 5 yearsWorkmanship warranty
- 90Years combined experience
the short answer.
- Clear small items and anything fragile. Leave the large furniture to us.
- Tell us about pets, children, alarms, parking and keys before day one.
- Don’t patch or sand walls yourself. Preparation is our job, and doing it properly is what makes paint last.
- Keep the colours decided. Changing a colour halfway costs time and money.
two weeks before: lock in the details.
Most delays on a paint job come from small questions left until the morning we arrive. Answer them early and day one runs smoothly.
- Confirm your colours and finishes. If you’re unsure, read our guide to choosing paint colours.
- Tell us how we get in: keys, door codes, alarms, and any lift booking for an apartment.
- Let us know where we can park, and whether permits or visitor spots are needed.
- Mention pets, young children, and anyone who works from home during the day.
the day before: clear the small stuff.
Think of it as a quick tidy, not a house move. We only need the walls, ceilings, doors and trims clear to work on.
Take down
Pictures, mirrors, clocks and wall hooks. Curtains and blinds too, if you would rather handle them yourself.
Clear away
Ornaments, plants and anything on shelves, windowsills and benchtops in the rooms we’re painting.
Set aside
Valuables, medication and anything fragile. Keep it in a room we’re not painting.
Empty out
Bathroom cabinets and kitchen benchtops if we are painting those rooms, so surfaces stay clean and clear.
what you do not need to move.
Large furniture stays put. We move it to the centre of the room, cover it, and put it back when the paint is dry.
Floors are protected with drop sheets and tape before any preparation starts. If you have a piano, an antique or something very heavy, tell us at the quote and we will plan around it.
pets, children and people working from home.
Wet paint and busy tradies aren’t a good mix for curious pets and small children. Plan a safe place for them away from the work area, and keep the doors to wet rooms closed.
Tell us if anyone in your home is sensitive to smells. We can plan the order of rooms and keep windows open and air moving. If you work from home, we will agree which rooms to do first so you always have a place to work.
for exterior jobs: clear the way.
- Move cars out of the driveway and away from the walls we’re working on.
- Clear pot plants, outdoor furniture, bins and washing lines from around the house.
- Trim back plants and vines touching the walls. If you would rather not, tell us and we will plan for it.
- Give your neighbours a quick heads up if scaffolding or access along the boundary is needed.
please do not patch or sand the walls first.
It’s a kind thought, but a patch that is not sanded and sealed properly shows through the finished paint as a dull spot. Leave the repairs to us and we will make them disappear.
If your home was built before 1970, don’t sand or scrape old paint at all. It may contain lead. Our guide to lead paint in older Sydney homes explains why, and what to do instead.
what to expect on the day.
Every job is overseen personally by Spyros. On day one we walk through the job with you, protect floors and furniture, then start the preparation.
That means washing away dust and grease, filling and sanding cracks and holes, and priming anything bare or repaired. Only then does your colour go on. When we finish, we walk through every room with you. The job is not finished until you are happy and have signed off.
the part you will never see.
Good preparation is most of a paint job, and almost none of it is visible once we finish. It is the reason our work comes with a 5 year workmanship warranty. Read how the warranty works.
common questions.
Do I need to move my furniture?
No. We move large furniture into the middle of the room and cover it. You only need to clear small items, fragile things and anything on shelves or benchtops.
Can I stay home while you paint?
Yes. Most customers do. We protect your floors, keep the work area contained and clean up each day. Tell us about pets, children and anyone working from home so we can plan around them.
Should I wash the walls before you arrive?
No need. Washing away dust, grease and marks is part of our preparation, and we use the right method for each surface.
How do I get ready for a quote visit?
Have a rough idea of the rooms, the colours you like and any problem areas such as cracks, peeling or stains. Then we measure, check the surfaces and give you a clear written price.
What if I have not picked colours yet?
We can talk you through colours that suit the light in each room. It is better to decide before we start, so give yourself a few days to look at samples.
getting a quote is easy.
Tell us about your job
Send your contact details and a short description of the job by form or phone.
We contact you within 24 hours
We book a time to come out for your complimentary quote. No obligation attached.
We visit and measure
We come out, measure up and check the surfaces, so your written price is accurate.
Tell us about your project.
Tell us about the job. We will contact you within 24 hours to book your complimentary quote.
Or call us now0410 585 913