Painting it yourself or hiring a painter: pros and cons

Painting it yourself can save on labour, but it takes longer and the result depends heavily on preparation and practice. Hiring a painter costs more, but saves time and usually gives a more reliable finish. For a small room in good condition, doing it yourself is reasonable. For the whole home, or if there are problems with the walls, think twice.

Advantages of painting it yourself

You save the cost of labour.
You can choose the day and the pace.
You can paint one room at a time.
It suits touch-ups and small jobs well.

Disadvantages of painting it yourself

It takes longer, especially if you have never done it.
You have to buy tools: rollers, brushes, tape, dust sheets, a ladder.
It is easy to get the amount of paint and the number of coats wrong.
Without good preparation, the result ends up with marks and gaps.
Painting ceilings is tiring and it is easy to make a mess.
Working at height, on ladders, carries a risk of falling.

Advantages of hiring a painter

A painter has practice and tools. They know how to prepare the walls, calculate the paint and cut in the corners well. They usually finish faster and leave the home clean.

They can also recognise problems, such as damp, structural cracks or poorly bonded paint. That avoids painting over a problem that will come back.

Disadvantages of hiring

The main one is the cost of labour. There is also the need to agree dates and have people in your home. It is worth choosing carefully, asking for a written quote and confirming what is included.

How to decide

Look at the size of the job. One room is different from a three-bedroom flat.
Look at the condition of the walls. If there are cracks, damp or peeling paint, ask for help.
Think about the time you have. It can take several weekends.
Check whether you have the tools and somewhere to store the furniture.
Weigh what you save against the time and the risk of having to redo it.

A halfway solution

You can do part of the work. For example, empty the rooms, remove socket covers and skirting boards, and leave the painter to deal with the walls. Or paint only the bedrooms and leave the difficult areas, such as high ceilings and bathrooms, to the professional.

The equipment you will need

Anyone who decides to paint it themselves should expect more costs besides the paint. Make the list before going to the shop.

Rollers for walls and smaller rollers for corners.
Brushes for cutting in along skirting boards and doors.
Masking tape and dust sheets to protect the floor and furniture.
Sandpaper, a scraper and filler for filling cracks.
A paint tray, a roller extension pole and a stable ladder.
Cloths and bin bags for clearing up.

If you are only going to paint once, it may be worth hiring or borrowing the more expensive items.

Tip: If you are going to paint it yourself, spend more time on preparation than on the paint. Cleaning, sanding and protecting well makes more difference than the colour you choose.