How to Prepare for Your Exterior Painting Project with Weinmann Painting

Whether you’re still deciding if this year is the year to finally paint the exterior of your home, or you’ve already signed the contract and are excited to start looking at paint colors, we want to make sure you feel prepared for every step of your exterior painting project with the Weinmann Painting team. We know inviting a painting crew to your home is a big decision, and we want the entire process to be as smooth, stress-free, and enjoyable as possible.

We’ve been a family-owned residential painting company in the Portland area for over 30 years, and one thing we’ve always felt strongly about is that great communication and preparation help to ensure a beautiful paint job. A little planning before we arrive helps our crew work efficiently, protects your property, and ensures you get the best possible results.

One important thing to consider is if you’re planning to have other contractors working on your home (i.e. having a new roof installed, new gutters put on the home, or any electrical work), we highly recommend scheduling these projects before painting. We like to be the last ones working on a home, as other construction projects can cause wear and tear on new paint. If we’re the last team working on your project, we’re able to add the beautiful finishing touches to your renovated home!

Here’s everything you can do to help prepare for your exterior house painting project!

1- Choose Your Paint Colors Early

One of the biggest ways to keep your project on schedule is to have your paint colors selected at least two weeks before your start date.

If you’re still deciding, don’t worry! We’re happy to provide guidance and help you choose colors that complement your home’s style, neighborhood, and landscaping. Please make sure to read through the “How to Choose Paint Colors” guide that we send when you accept your project. Taking the time to make these decisions ahead of time helps eliminate delays once your project begins.

2- Trim Landscaping Around Your Home

Portland homes often have beautiful gardens and landscaping, but they can sometimes make it difficult for our crews to safely work around homes during a painting project.

If possible, trim plants back about two feet from your home’s exterior. This gives our painters room to safely position ladders and properly prepare every surface.

If plants can’t be trimmed, we’ll carefully tarp or tie them back whenever possible. While we always treat your landscaping with care, we can’t guarantee against damage to plants located directly within the work area.

3- Move Outdoor Furniture and Decorations

Before your project begins, please move patio furniture, grills, potted plants, decorations, and other outdoor items away from the house.

This gives our crew plenty of room to work and helps protect your belongings throughout the painting process.

4- Prepare Windows and Doors

Before the pressure washing portion of preparation begins, please:

• Close and lock all windows and doors.
• Place rolled towels on the sills of any windows that are prone to leaking.

This simple step helps prevent water from entering your home during exterior washing.

5- Move Vehicles Away From the House

Please park vehicles at least 25 feet away from your home during the project. This provides space for ladders, equipment, and materials while helping protect your vehicles from dust or paint overspray.

If your neighbors park close to your home, it’s helpful to let them know about your upcoming project so they can move or cover their vehicles as well.

6- Make Arrangements for Pets

We love meeting your furry family members, but for their safety and ours, we ask that outdoor pets are kept away from the work area while prep and painting is underway.

Please also pick up any pet waste before the crew arrives so everyone can work safely.

7- Meet Your Crew Leader

Please plan to meet with your Crew Leader on the first day of your project for an initial walkthrough.

Together, you’ll review the project details in the proposal, answer any last-minute questions, and discuss lead-safe work practices if your home requires them. This meeting helps ensure everyone is on the same page before work begins.

A Few Additional Things To Prepare for Your Project

To keep your exterior painting project running smoothly, we’ll also appreciate the following:

• If your project includes pressure washing, please make sure an outdoor water faucet is accessible.
• We’ll need access to a sink or outdoor hose for cleaning brushes and equipment in accordance with Oregon DEQ guidelines.
• If you’d like exterior light fixtures removed instead of masked off, you’ll need to arrange for a licensed electrician to remove and reinstall them, as our painters aren’t licensed to perform electrical work.

Final Walk-Through

Once your exterior painting project is complete, your Crew Leader will walk through the entire job with you to make sure everything meets your expectations.

This is your opportunity to ask questions, point out anything you’d like us to review, and celebrate your home’s fresh new look! Final payment can be made by check at that time, and we’re also happy to accept ACH or credit card payments through our office.

Wait Before Scheduling Window Cleaning

It is very important to give fresh paint time to properly cure after a project is completed.

If you’re planning to have your windows professionally cleaned, we recommend waiting about two weeks after painting is complete. Some window cleaning products can affect fresh paint before it has fully hardened.

If we removed and reinstalled your storm windows during the project, be sure to let your window cleaning company know they may need to remove the inserts again for cleaning.

What Weinmann Painting Takes Care Of

When you hire Weinmann Painting, our team will handle many of the following details of your project.

Weinmann Painting will:

• Provide a portable restroom if an indoor bathroom isn’t available.
• Remove empty paint cans and hazardous materials from the project site.
• Leave any leftover paint clearly labeled for future touch-ups.
• Place a Weinmann Painting yard sign approximately two weeks before your project begins and remove it about two weeks after completion.

We’re Here to Make Exterior Painting Easy

Preparing your home for an exterior painting project doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our team will guide you through every step, answer your questions, and treat your home with the same care we’d give our own. We’re committed to delivering exceptional craftsmanship and a stress-free experience from start to finish.