A cheap paint job usually reveals itself in the details: drips, roller marks near the ceiling, sloppy cut lines, and trim with brush marks. The difference between a finish that holds up and one that disappoints is mostly prep. Here is what a proper job involves.
What a proper paint job includes
- Furniture moved or covered, floors fully protected
- Caulk gaps in baseboards, trim, and corners
- Fill nail holes, sand smooth
- Prime over patches and stains
- Cut in trim, ceilings, and corners by hand
- Two coats of premium paint (Benjamin Moore Regal or Sherwin-Williams Emerald)
- Light cleanup and touch-ups before leaving
What drives the cost
- Square footage of walls, ceilings, and trim
- Whether ceilings are included (cutting in is slow work)
- Number of colors and accent walls
- Condition of existing surfaces (filling, sanding, priming time)
- Vaulted ceilings, stairwells, or cathedral spaces (ladder time)
- Whether you supply paint or Brody picks it up