DIY vs. Professional Painting Services: Which One is Right for You?

Deciding to paint the house is no small decision. From overall design schemes to the nitty-gritty of comparing matte finishes, there’s a lot to consider. Depending on your personality, these details can present an exciting challenge, or they do little more than bring on a migraine.

When it comes to house painting, there are two main options: DIY and Professional Painting Services. If you’re not sure whether you’re more of an “I got this” or an “I need help!” kind of fixer-upper, this article will help you weigh the pros and cons of each so you can make the choice that’s right for you.

Benefits of DIY

Ever since Pinterest came on the scene, the realm of DIY crafts and projects has been booming. With notable benefits, it’s no wonder so many people have discovered a newfound love of home improvement.

Here’s why you might consider a DIY house painting job:

Total creative control

Some folks are lucky enough to be born with a creative eye. If this sounds like you, you’ll probably enjoy the liberty that comes with a DIY paint job. From the brand of paint to the precise hue, you’ll have total control over the project from start to finish.

Cost-effective

If money is tighter than you’d like it to be, DIY could be a cost-effective option. Since you’ll only be paying for supplies and saving on labor fees, do-it-yourself can sometimes be much cheaper than outsourcing the job.

Rewarding

There are few better feelings than finishing a productive task. If you’re the kind of worker who always sees projects through to the end, DIY will most likely be a successful undertaking.

Benefits of Professional Painting

Although DIY house painting has its perks, there are also major benefits to opting for a professional painting service.

Here’s why you might consider a professional house painting job:

Professional quality

Just as the name suggests, the standard of execution will be much higher when you go with a professional painting service. You won’t have to worry about strokes going outside the lines or fret over the quality of the paints used.

Smart investment

Because they use higher quality products, professional painting jobs are more likely to withstand the test of time. If you’re a person who acts today with tomorrow in mind—in other words, if you don’t want to have to repaint for a long time!—hiring a painting company is a great choice.

Relaxing

If you doubt the steadiness of your stroke or question your palette choices, let the experts deal with the technicalities. From the experience of skilled painters to the oversight of a project manager, professional painting brings peace of mind to stress-prone homeowners. Plus, you won’t have to worry about cleaning up when all is said and done.

Drawbacks of DIY

Despite its obvious pros, DIY painting still might pose some unwanted problems. Be aware of the following before you touch that brush.

Time-consuming

From work to school to family and social obligations, many people find it difficult to find enough hours in the day to complete all of their daily tasks. Unless you’re a stay-at-home parent, a student, or you have a long weekend to spare, DIY might not fit into your schedule.

Easy to overspend

Although DIY jobs can be less expensive, they don’t always end up that way. The financially savvy know how to budget and plan total costs before making a single buy, but not everyone thinks in that way, and they can end up buying too much paint or supplies they don’t really need. Sometimes, creativity literally comes at a cost.

Drawbacks of Professional Painting

Before you choose a professional painter, consider that hiring a service isn’t foolproof — even experts are subject to human error!

Can be more expensive

As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. With better service, a higher price point usually isn’t far behind. If you don’t have a lot of flexibility in your budget or are trying to save more than spend, you may want to hold off on professional painting — for now.

Less control over end result

Those who go with a professional service have to put their faith in the ability of the workers who come into their home. Those who find it challenging to put the fate of their home in the care of others probably wouldn’t feel comfortable with the hands-off mentality that might be necessary to accept the results of contracted work.

Conclusion

No two homeowners are the same, so everyone will have a different preference when they take on the task of painting the house. Whether you need a few walls recolored or the entire exterior updated, the job is bound to be a fun challenge.