By DeHaan Painting
Purchasing a new home is one of the most exciting milestones you’ll experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges—especially when it comes to making it truly feel like your home. One of the easiest ways to refresh a new space is by painting, but before you grab your brushes and rollers, there are some essential things you need to know to ensure your paint job lasts and looks its best.
At DeHaan Painting, we’ve helped countless homeowners transform their newly purchased houses into personalized havens. Repainting can elevate a space, but it’s not as simple as picking a color and slapping it on the walls. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key steps to take when considering a repaint, including areas to prioritize, the importance of dealing with underlying issues, and tips for choosing the right paints for different spaces.
1. Address Water Stains and Rot Before Repainting
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when repainting is covering up issues like water stains, mold, or wood rot with fresh paint. While a coat of paint may temporarily mask the problem, it’s not going to fix the underlying cause, and over time, you’ll find that the stains resurface or, worse, the issue continues to worsen under the paint.new hour
Before you begin any painting project, it’s essential to investigate the source of any water stains or discoloration. Is there a roof leak? A plumbing issue? Poor ventilation? These problems need to be addressed before you even think about painting. If you just paint over the issue, you risk damaging the new paint, causing mold or mildew to grow under the surface, or even allowing the rot to spread further.
2. Use High-Quality, Durable Paints for High-Traffic Areas
After you’ve addressed any underlying issues, it’s time to consider your paint choices. High-traffic areas or rooms that are prone to wear and tear—like kids’ rooms, hallways, and entryways—require special attention. For these spaces, we recommend using more durable, scuff-resistant paints like Sherwin Williams Scuff Tuff or Benjamin Moore Scuff-X. These paints are designed to withstand frequent cleaning, foot traffic, and the occasional accidental mark or scrape, making them perfect for homes with children or pets.
Choosing the right paint can save you a lot of time and money in the long run, as these paints can extend the lifespan of your walls, reduce maintenance, and keep your home looking sharp for years to come.
2. Use High-Quality, Durable Paints for High-Traffic Areas
After you’ve addressed any underlying issues, it’s time to consider your paint choices. High-traffic areas or rooms that are prone to wear and tear—like kids’ rooms, hallways, and entryways—require special attention. For these spaces, we recommend using more durable, scuff-resistant paints like Sherwin Williams Scuff Tuff or Benjamin Moore Scuff-X. These paints are designed to withstand frequent cleaning, foot traffic, and the occasional accidental mark or scrape, making them perfect for homes with children or pets.
Choosing the right paint can save you a lot of time and money in the long run, as these paints can extend the lifespan of your walls, reduce maintenance, and keep your home looking sharp for years to come.
3. Plan Your Projects Carefully: Order of Operations Matters
If you’re planning to tackle multiple projects during your move-in phase, it’s important to coordinate them in the right order. We’ve seen many homeowners make the mistake of installing new flooring before the paint job is done, only to have to deal with scratches to floors or cabinets, scuffed floors or painted areas, and other types of latent damage when the job is finished.
Here’s the ideal order of operations for a successful home renovation:
- Demo & Repairs: Start by clearing out the space and addressing any structural issues or repairs that need to be done. This includes things like drywall repairs, fixing leaks, or addressing any potential issues with plumbing, electrical, or other systems. You may even consider painting 1st coat or difficult to reach areas that require scaffolding or large ladders (ex. 2 story ceilings and walls)
- Countertops & Cabinets: Install new countertops or cabinets (if you’re renovating your kitchen or bathroom) before moving on to flooring. This helps avoid damage to new flooring while you’re working with heavy items.
- Flooring: Install your new flooring next. Since this is often a messy process, you want to make sure it’s done before any painting takes place.
- Painting: Finally, painters should come in after all the heavy lifting is done. Painters are sometimes referred to as “finishers” for this exact reason. At DeHaan Painting, we recommend waiting until the floors are installed and any major demo or repairs are completed before applying final coats. Once we’re in, we’ll protect all surfaces, do a thorough walk-through and repair any latent damage from the construction process. We’ll also touch up any areas where dust or debris may have affected the finish.
Following this order ensures that you don’t have to redo work or worry about anyone’s hard work being damaged during other renovations.
4. Coordinating with Other Vendors
If you are not hiring a General Contractor to coordinate the different trades, It’s also important to coordinate your painting schedule with other contractors. Whether you’re working with a flooring installer, a contractor doing repairs, or a plumber, good communication is key. Let everyone know when you plan to have the painters in, so they can work around that schedule and avoid damaging freshly painted surfaces. Sometimes, different vendors will need to be aware of your timeline to ensure everything goes smoothly.
At DeHaan Painting, we’re always happy to work with other contractors to make sure the job goes off without a hitch. Whether it’s letting the flooring team know when we’ll be finished or helping a contractor avoid areas that need to stay pristine for painting, we believe in being flexible and working as a team. If you need a referral, we have preferred vendors that we are used to working with.
4. Coordinating with Other Vendors
If you are not hiring a General Contractor to coordinate the different trades, It’s also important to coordinate your painting schedule with other contractors. Whether you’re working with a flooring installer, a contractor doing repairs, or a plumber, good communication is key. Let everyone know when you plan to have the painters in, so they can work around that schedule and avoid damaging freshly painted surfaces. Sometimes, different vendors will need to be aware of your timeline to ensure everything goes smoothly.
At DeHaan Painting, we’re always happy to work with other contractors to make sure the job goes off without a hitch. Whether it’s letting the flooring team know when we’ll be finished or helping a contractor avoid areas that need to stay pristine for painting, we believe in being flexible and working as a team. If you need a referral, we have preferred vendors that we are used to working with.
5. Don’t Forget About Touch-Ups and Final Inspections
Once all your projects are finished, make sure to schedule a final inspection to ensure everything is just as you envisioned. It’s easy to overlook minor touch-ups or areas that need a second coat of paint once everything else is in place. Our team can perform a final walkthrough, touching up any areas that may have been missed or were affected by the construction process.
A thorough final inspection guarantees that your paint job looks seamless and that everything is in top condition, so you can enjoy your freshly renovated home without the hassle of unexpected repairs or fixes.
In Summary
Repainting your new home is an exciting part of the process, but it’s important to take the right steps to ensure a successful project. From addressing water stains and rot to choosing durable paints for high-traffic areas and coordinating with other vendors, every detail matters. By following these steps, you can ensure that your home looks beautiful, feels fresh, and is built to last.
If you’re ready to take the next step in repainting your new home, reach out to DeHaan Painting. We’ll guide you through the process from start to finish, making sure your vision becomes a reality and your space looks just the way you’ve always imagined.
Contact us today for a consultation, and let’s make your new house feel like home!
About DeHaan Painting
DeHaan Painting is a trusted, family-owned painting company serving homeowners throughout the Charlotte Metro area. With over a decade of experience, our team is committed to delivering exceptional results and top-notch customer service. Whether you need a full home repaint, specialized finishes, or assistance with coordinating multiple contractors, we’re here to make your project a success.
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Helping Thousands of Families in Plaza Midwood, Noda, Chantilly, Dilworth, Elizabeth, Myers Park, South Park, Barclay Downs and Surrounding Areas.
DeHaan Painting
“Charlotte’s Premier Painter”
Dock, Deck, Fence Staining – Interior House Painting – Exterior House Painting – Kitchen Cabinet Painting – Limewash Applications – Commercial Painting – Christmas Light Installer
Phone: (980) 224-3191
Email: info@dehaanpaints.com
