When you're preparing for an exterior painting project, there's often a mix of excitement and uncertainty. You might be wondering what you need to do before crews arrive, how the process will unfold day by day, and how disruptive the work will be to your home and routine.
At Roe Painting, we've helped thousands of homeowners through this exact process. We know that a smooth, successful project doesn't just depend on the paint. It depends on the communication, preparation, and knowing what to expect every step of the way.
In this article, you'll get a clear, step-by-step overview of what happens during an exterior painting project, what you'll need to prepare beforehand, and how long the job typically takes. Plus, you'll get a downloadable checklist to make it even easier to get your home ready.
How Long Does an Exterior Painting Project Take?
Most exterior painting projects take between 3 and 7 days to complete. The exact timeline depends on a few key factors:
- The size and layout of your home
- The number of surfaces being painted (siding, stucco, trim, doors, outbuildings, etc.)
- The amount of prep work required, especially if areas need scraping, patching, or special priming
- Weather conditions, including temperature and wind
In general, we aim to keep the project moving efficiently without compromising on quality.
What You Need to Do Before We Arrive
To help us complete your project efficiently and minimize disruption to your day, we ask that you take care of a few prep steps before the crew arrives. These small actions make a big difference in how quickly and smoothly we can get started.
Here's what we need you to do before the first day of your project:
- Trim back any bushes, trees, or vines that are touching the house.
This gives us space to reach all surfaces safely and prevents vegetation from getting in the way of the paint. - Remove or store anything from your porches and patios.
That includes furniture, rugs, plants, or decorations, especially anything you wouldn't want to get wet during pressure washing. - Make sure all windows are closed.
This helps avoid water getting inside during the initial cleaning. - Contain or relocate pets.
For their safety (and ours), please keep pets inside or secure them in an area away from where the crew will be working. - Turn off sprinklers and alarm systems.
Sprinklers should remain off for the duration of the project to protect paint from water spots. Please also disable any outdoor motion alarms. - Leave us a reliable phone number.
In case we need to reach you with a quick question or update during the day.
If you're unable to complete any of these steps, just let us know ahead of time.
What We'll Do to Prepare Your Home for Painting
Before we ever open a paint can, a large part of our job is proper surface preparation. This ensures your new paint not only looks great but also lasts for years to come. Here's what our team will handle once the project begins:
1. Surface Washing
A day or two before your project, we will stop by to wash all surfaces. We start by pressure washing to remove:
- Dirt, grime, and chalky paint residue
- Cobwebs, insect nests, and environmental buildup
- Loose or flaking paint
We take care not to damage any surfaces or direct water into windows and door openings. If your home was built before 1978 and may contain lead-based paint, the process would require that all surfaces be washed by hand.
2. Surface Repair & Prep Work
Once the exterior is clean and dry, we begin prep work:
- Scraping and sanding areas with loose or peeling paint
- Patching stucco cracks and damaged areas
- Caulking gaps and joints with premium-grade sealant
- Priming bare wood or repaired areas with the appropriate product
- Masking off all doors, windows, light fixtures, and anything not being painted
This is the stage that determines how well the paint will adhere to the surface and extend the life of your overall paint job.
Severely peeling paint? In areas where the paint is in poor condition or prone to peeling, we'll apply a specialized product like Peel Stop or PrimeRX. These primers help seal down peeling edges and minimize future failure.
What You Can Expect Each Day On Site
From the moment our crew arrives, we want you to feel confident about what's happening at your home. Our goal is to complete the job efficiently, respectfully, and with as little disruption to your daily routine as possible.
Daily Start and End Times
Our team typically begins work around 8:00 AM and wraps up by 4:30 PM, taking a short lunch break mid-day.
- In the summer months, we may request an earlier start to avoid extreme heat.
- In cooler seasons, we may delay our start time until temperatures are ideal for painting.
Professionalism on the Job Site
You can expect our crew to be:
- Courteous, clean, and respectful of your property
- Focused on keeping the job site tidy and organized
- Available to answer questions or provide updates throughout the day
We understand we're guests on your property, and we treat it that way.
What About Restroom Use?
If you're comfortable, many homeowners designate a bathroom for our crew to use. If not, you're welcome to make alternate arrangements (such as a portable restroom rental at your own expense).
Just let us know your preference. We're happy to accommodate your comfort.
How We Wrap Up Your Project
Just like we start strong, we believe in finishing with clarity and care. Once the painting is complete, here's what you can expect during our final walk-through and clean-up:
- Final Inspection: We'll walk the property to make sure every surface has full coverage and all details have been completed to the standard in your contract.
- Touch-ups: If we spot any missed spots, drips, or imperfections, we'll fix them right away. We want the finish to look as good up close as it does from the curb.
- Clean up: Our crew will:
- Remove all masking, tape, and coverings
- Clean and pack up tools and materials
- Take away any trash or empty paint containers
- Leftover Paint: We will leave leftover paint behind so you can have it for future touch-ups.
- Next Steps: If applicable, we'll discuss maintenance tips or answer any last questions you may have.
You can relax knowing your project is truly finished and your home is looking its best.
End-of-Day Clean-Up
At the end of each workday, we ensure:
- All tools and materials are stored safely
- Trash and empty paint containers are removed
- Paint cans are left for you (for touch-ups later)
FAQs About the Exterior Painting Process
These are the most common questions we get from homeowners before and during exterior painting projects. If you've been wondering about any of the following, just know that you aren't the only one!
How long will my exterior paint job last?
A prepped and painted exterior typically lasts 10+ years, depending on:
- Surface condition before painting
- Number of coats applied
- Quality of paint used
- Environmental exposure (sun, moisture, etc.)
Do you repair or replace damaged exterior surfaces?
Yes, but only simple repairs, such as:
- Trim boards
- Some fascia
- Small sections of siding
For major structural issues or complex carpentry, we recommend working with a qualified contractor before we paint.
Can you paint vinyl or metal surfaces?
Yes! We can. Each requires careful cleaning and prep and specialized primers. Vinyl requires vinyl-safe paint colors to avoid warping.
Do you help with color selection?
Choosing the right colors (even if you are a color matching) is an exciting, yet stressful, part of most painting projects. For tips, tools, and suggestions, check out our Paint Color Selection Guide that can give you everything you need to make a confident color choice.
What Comes Next
Now you know exactly what to expect during your exterior painting project, from daily schedules to surface prep and clean-up.
We understand how disruptive a project like this can feel, which is why clear communication and care are built into every step we take.
Download and complete your exterior painting prep checklist. It's the simplest way to help us get started smoothly and finish efficiently.
At Roe Painting, we treat your home like it's our own. If you have any questions or need help with the checklist, just let us know. We're here to help.
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