A week before the project
Most of what makes a paint project go smoothly happens before the first drop cloth comes out. Give yourself a week to work through this list — you'll save your crew time (which saves you money on any change orders) and you'll avoid the "wait, we didn't know" phone call on day one.
Confirm the scope in writing
- Which rooms or exterior surfaces are included.
- Ceilings: yes or no. Trim, doors, and closets: yes or no.
- Every color, sheen, and brand — written down with the manufacturer's code, not "the tan one."
- Any accent walls, ceilings, or two-tone treatments.
- Who supplies the paint (usually the contractor) and what happens with leftovers.
A good estimate spells all of this out. If yours doesn't, ask for a revision — verbal agreements are where repaints get expensive.
Interior projects: what to do inside
Take care of the small stuff
- Remove wall art, mirrors, family photos, and anything with sentimental value.
- Take down curtains and blinds if the trim or window frames are being painted.
- Clear the tops of dressers, nightstands, and open shelves.
- Empty closets if closets are on the scope.
- Unplug and set aside small electronics.
- Move pet bowls, litter boxes, and beds out of active rooms.
Leave this for the crew
- Heavy furniture — sofas, beds, dressers, china cabinets.
- Rugs and floor protection.
- TVs and mounted electronics (we'll wrap them in plastic in place).
- Outlet covers, switch plates, and door hardware.
Plan for daily life
- Decide which rooms will be painted first so you always have a bedroom and bathroom out of the work zone.
- If you work from home, pick a "quiet room" — we'll schedule spray-sanding and loud prep away from it.
- Confirm working hours. Most crews are on site 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Exterior projects: what to do outside
Give us a 4-foot working zone
Pressure washing and painting need clearance. About a week out:
- Trim shrubs, hedges, and tree branches back 3–4 feet from siding, soffits, and fascia.
- Move patio furniture, grills, planters, and hoses off the walls.
- Uncoil hoses so we can reach outdoor spigots for the pressure washer.
- Cover or move delicate landscape lighting.
Windows, doors, and vents
- Close all windows fully — including that one that never latches.
- Point AC vents and dryer exhausts away from active work if you can.
- Let us know about any windows that don't seal so we can mask them extra.
The Florida-specific stuff
- Check your HOA repaint approval. In Vero Beach, Jupiter, and most Port St. Lucie communities, exterior color changes require an ARB submission — sometimes 30 days out.
- Watch the hurricane forecast. If a named storm is inside the cone within 5 days, we'll pause exterior work and re-secure the site.
- Plan around the afternoon rain. Summer projects usually run 7 AM to 1 PM on the sunny side of the house.
If you're planning exterior painting, ask whether pressure washing and any wood rot repair are included in your quote. Both are common surprises.
Access, pets, and people
The four things clients forget most often — and they hold up the whole first day:
- Alarm code or lockbox. If we're arriving before you're up, we need a way in.
- Gate code. Gated communities: we need it AND a heads-up to the guard house that we're expected.
- Parking. A 20-foot work truck needs somewhere to sit, ideally in the driveway.
- Pets. Even friendly dogs can bolt through an open door with a painter's arms full. Plan a safe room or a day at daycare for the messy days.
Day-one checklist (print this)
- Colors and sheens confirmed in writing.
- Walls cleared of art and personal items.
- Small valuables and jewelry stored away.
- Pets have a safe zone.
- Alarm, gate, and parking sorted.
- Landscaping trimmed back (exteriors).
- Contractor's phone number saved so you can reach the lead directly.
Handle those and your project starts on time, on scope, and without the awkward "we can't paint today because…" conversation.