Feeling unsure about having painters in your home?
Not sure what to do with your schedule, your furniture, or your kids and pets?
These are valid concerns, especially if you've never gone through a professional painting project before. At Roe Painting, we've guided thousands of homeowners through this exact experience, and the process can be much smoother than you might expect when you know what's coming.
In this article, you'll get clear answers to the most commonly asked questions about painting day, including:
If you're preparing for an interior painting job, this guide will help you feel ready, confident, and in control.
Most interior painting projects take between 2 and 5 days from start to finish.
The exact timeline depends on several factors, including:
For example, a small home with minimal prep and just walls being painted could be completed in two to three days. A larger home that includes ceilings, trim, and multiple coats of a new paint color will take longer, four to five days.
We'll walk you through the estimated schedule before the project begins, but you can typically expect:
Most painting jobs are completed in under a week with minimal disruption to your routine.
In most cases, you can remain in your home while we work.
We know it can feel uncomfortable to have crews working inside your space. That's why we plan our projects to minimize disruption to your daily routine. Our team shows up on time, communicates clearly, and respects your privacy throughout the process.
That said, there are a few situations where you may want to step away from the work area:
If you think you may want to be out of the house for any part of the project, we're happy to work with your schedule. Some clients choose to spend a day out of the house while the bulk of the painting is done, while others come and go as needed.
You don't have to leave your home, but if you prefer to step away, we'll help make that easy.
Our crews typically work from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
We'll confirm your specific schedule before your project begins, but this is our standard workday. Our team takes a 30-minute lunch break and may finish slightly early or later, depending on the day's progress.
If your household has unique needs (like a sleeping baby, remote work calls, or staggered schedules), let us know. We can sometimes adjust the flow of the day, within reason, to meet your needs. If your project requires detailed and specific scheduling, please let us know during the estimate phase of your project, as that could affect the cost.
For commercial projects or businesses, we offer flexible scheduling options:
Let us know what works best for your business, and we'll create a plan that keeps your operations running smoothly.
We'll need basic access to your home, power, and a few other essentials to complete your project efficiently. Here's what to plan for:
A little advanced planning around access helps your project run smoothly from day one.
While our crew handles all surface protection and careful prep work, there are a few things you can do in advance to make sure everything runs on time and without interruption. Here's what we recommend:
Move smaller furniture items toward the center of the room
Remove art, mirrors, and shelves from walls being painted
Take down curtains, blinds, and move rugs
If you want certain items to stay on the wall after painting, leave the hardware in place. If not, remove it and we'll patch the holes.
Empty closets that will be painted
Clear countertops, bookshelves, dressers, and nightstands
Store fragile or valuable items in a separate room
Disconnect TVs, computers, sound systems, and game consoles
Label cords to make reconnection easier
If you need an extra set of hands, we can help you remove wall-mounted TVs, but we're not responsible for remounting, reconnecting devices, or replacing wires.
Disable any security systems or alarms that may be triggered by crew movement
Make sure pets and children are kept out of work areas for safety. If you have concerns about your pets escaping through open doors, you may want to make arrangements to keep them off-site.
Leave a contact number where you can be reached during the day
We understand that this kind of prep can feel overwhelming, and we're here to help. If you need assistance moving larger furniture or just have questions about what needs to be done, let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Modern paints are far less intrusive than you might expect, and we work hard to keep your space livable and low-stress while we're on site.
Most of the products we use are low- or zero-VOC, which means minimal smell and no harmful fumes in typical use.
The only exception? Certain specialty primers or oil-based coatings. We'll tell you in advance if we'll be using any of those.
If you or someone in your household is especially sensitive to smells (or is pregnant), we recommend stepping away during application and letting us know so we can plan around your comfort.
We'll communicate clearly about which rooms we'll be working in each day, and how long those spaces will be off-limits. We do our best to work in stages so you're never completely displaced from your home.
We treat your home like home, not a job site.
You'll never be left wondering what's happening or who to talk to.
Before your project begins, we'll introduce you to your crew lead. They will be your main point of contact throughout the job. They're responsible for coordinating the work, answering your questions, and keeping everything on track.
Here's what to expect in terms of communications:
The job isn't finished until you're satisfied and your space is clean, safe, and ready to enjoy. After the final coat, this is what you can expect:
To protect your fresh paint:
Now you know exactly what to expect during your interior painting project, from first-day access to final walkthrough. We've covered how long it takes, how to prepare, what your day-to-day will look like, and how we communicate every step of the way.
If you've been feeling unsure about having painters in your home, that's completely normal. Hopefully, now you have a full picture of how the process works and what you can do to make it a smooth experience.
What's next? Download our Painting Prep Checklist below to make sure you're 100% ready before painting day arrives. It breaks down everything into a simple room-by-room guide.
At Roe Painting, we've helped thousands of homeowners get beautiful results while leading with clear communication, less stress, and a positive contracting experience. If you're looking to kick off a new painting project, you can request a complimentary painting quote to get started.
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