Preparing your home before professional painters arrive can save time, protect your belongings, and help ensure a flawless finish. Whether you're painting a single room or your entire home, a little preparation goes a long way. At Ottawa All Painting, we make the process as easy as possible — but there are a few simple things homeowners can do before painting begins.
Here's everything you need to know to prepare your home for professional painters in Ottawa.
1. Remove Small Furniture and Personal Items
Before your painters arrive, remove any small furniture, decorations, artwork, mirrors, and fragile items from the rooms being painted.
This helps:
- Prevent accidental damage
- Give painters more space to work
- Speed up the painting process
If you're unable to move larger furniture, don't worry. Professional painters can carefully move and protect these items before starting.
2. Clear Wall Decorations
Take down:
- Family photos
- Shelves
- Clocks
- Mirrors
- Wall-mounted televisions (if possible)
- Curtains and curtain rods
Removing these items allows painters to create clean, professional lines without obstacles.
3. Move Furniture Away from the Walls
Move larger furniture to the center of the room whenever possible. Leave approximately 3–4 feet of space between the walls and furniture. Professional painters will cover everything with clean plastic and drop cloths for added protection.
4. Protect Valuables
Painting projects are clean and organized, but it's always best to store valuable items such as electronics, jewellery, important documents, and collectibles in a safe location during the project.
5. Remove Fragile Decorations
Painting equipment, ladders, and moving furniture can create vibrations that may affect delicate decorations. Consider removing glass décor, porcelain items, family heirlooms, and plants to keep them safe.
6. Make Sure Pets Are Safe
Paint crews frequently move between rooms and open exterior doors. For everyone's safety, keep pets in a separate room, with a family member, or at a boarding facility for larger projects. This also reduces stress for your pets.
7. Provide Easy Access
If painters are working throughout your home, make sure they have clear access to:
- Entry doors
- Hallways
- Staircases
- Bathrooms (if permitted)
- Electrical outlets
The fewer obstacles, the more efficiently the project can be completed.
8. Discuss Repairs Before Painting Begins
If you've noticed nail holes, drywall damage, water stains, cracks, or peeling paint, mention these during your estimate. Professional painters can repair many surface imperfections before painting, resulting in a smoother, longer-lasting finish.
9. Keep Children Away from Work Areas
Painting equipment and ladders create active work zones. For safety, try to keep children away from the areas being painted until the work is complete.
10. Communicate Any Special Requests
Every home is unique. Before work begins, let your painting contractor know if you have:
- Recently renovated areas
- Special flooring
- Antique furniture
- Security systems
- Preferred working hours
- Parking instructions
Good communication helps ensure a smooth experience from start to finish.
What Professional Painters Will Handle
At Ottawa All Painting, we take care of much of the preparation for you, including:
- Covering floors with protective drop cloths
- Protecting furniture with plastic sheeting
- Filling nail holes and minor drywall imperfections
- Caulking gaps where needed
- Sanding rough surfaces
- Priming repaired areas
- Cleaning surfaces before painting
Proper preparation is one of the most important steps in achieving a beautiful, long-lasting finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to move all my furniture?
No. We recommend removing smaller items, while our team can carefully move and protect larger furniture pieces.
Should I stay home during painting?
That's entirely your choice. Many homeowners stay home, while others leave for work or errands. We'll keep you updated throughout the project.
How long does preparation take?
Preparation time depends on the size and condition of your home. In many cases, preparation represents a significant portion of the project because it's essential for achieving professional results.
Do painters clean up afterward?
Yes. Professional painters should leave your home clean by removing protective coverings, cleaning the work area, and returning furniture to its original position whenever possible.
Trust Ottawa All Painting for a Stress-Free Experience
Preparing your home doesn't have to be overwhelming. With a little planning and an experienced painting team, your project can be completed efficiently with minimal disruption to your daily routine.
At Ottawa All Painting, we serve homeowners and businesses throughout Ottawa, including Kanata, Barrhaven, Stittsville, Nepean, Orleans, Gloucester, Westboro, the Glebe, and Centretown. Our experienced painters handle every project with care, precision, and attention to detail.