At some point in our lives, we’re all going to need to paint our homes; whether we’re moving into a new place or simply wanting to give your home a new look. One question that often arises is whether to do the painting oneself or hire a professional. Many of us have memories of our parents tackling almost any task, including painting, on their own.
However, if you live in the city, you may not have a workshop or space to store the necessary tools for household projects. In this case, you may be wondering whether it's worth purchasing everything or if it's easier to pay someone to do the job. That's why we've put together this article to compare the average cost of painting on your own versus hiring a painter. Whether you're looking to update the look of your home or preparing to move, this information can help you make an informed decision about how to tackle your painting project.
Are you really ready to DIY?
Before you begin your painting project, you'll need to purchase all the necessary materials. Some of these items may require expert advice, while others can be easily ordered online.
Before you start painting, it's important to properly prepare the room. If there is any furniture left in the space, it should be covered with foil and secured with tape to protect it from paint. This step is relatively inexpensive.
However, it's also important to properly prepare the walls for painting. Consider whether this is the first coat of paint or if the walls have already been painted multiple times. If the walls have already been painted, it's important to determine the condition of the previous coats. To do this, wet a clean roller and run it over the old paintwork. If the paint starts to flake off, you'll need to remove it before applying a new coat.
Scraping walls to remove old paint is technically simple but can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. If you're willing to do the work yourself, you can purchase a painter's scraper for around €2.5. These tools can also be useful for sealing any holes that may appear after scraping the plaster. For smaller cracks, wall putty (which typically costs less than €5) should be sufficient. Larger cracks may need to be filled with concrete or left to professionals.
Before you begin painting, it's also important to prime the walls. Priming helps to even out the surface of the walls and ensures that the paint adheres better and lasts longer. Ordinary priming typically costs around €17, but it can significantly extend the life of the paint in the long run.
And now to the painting itself; the biggest challenge is choosing the right paint. Nowadays, it's not even necessary to know the different types of paint. It doesn't matter that you don't know the difference between dispersion and vinyl paint. The main thing is that you know where to find a paint store or where to look for a professional.
However, even if you do take your own advice on choosing a paint, it's a good idea to be aware of what all can affect the process. The paint in your child's room is expected to be resistant to even the most antics of your little ones. In the bathroom, on the other hand, the paint will have to withstand high humidity and it is therefore advisable to use a paint that perspires it. Some paints also have disinfectant and anti-fungal properties, which is useful in areas that are prone to this damage.
As you can see, choosing a paint is not easy. Let's imagine a hypothetical example where you are painting a room that has a floor area of 12 m2. You need to do two coats and think about a possible reserve. You will need to use about 6.5L of paint for this area. In this case, we recommend that you buy 7L of paint in case something goes wrong. Two 4L paints usually cost around €28 depending on the quality and type of paint.
Of course, you must not forget the brushes, rollers, paint container or paint stirrer. If you don't plan to start a painting business, it is quite sufficient to buy a painting kit. These contain everything you need, plus they are much more cost-effective than if you were to buy each of the items separately. The cheapest ones start at just €9, and the number of tools you'll find in the set increases with the higher price.
Safe bet - hire a painter
Do-it-yourself painting can be a hassle, so it's increasingly common to hire a professional painter. However, prices for this service can vary, and it can be difficult to know why one painter charges twice as much as another to paint the same room. Keep in mind that higher prices don't always equate to higher quality – sometimes the opposite is true.
What should you look for when hiring a painter? Of course, the final cost will depend on the size and condition of the room. Any additional services such as floor covering, minor plaster touch-ups, and basic cleaning after the job is completed, will also determine how much money you will be spending. Be aware that major repairs or wallpaper removal may not be included in the price and may require additional work. A fair price for painting one room is around €150, depending on the exact size and condition of the space. You can use Adam’s online calculator to get a more accurate estimate.
It can be challenging, especially in larger cities, to find a reliable and experienced painter. They may be in high demand and it can be difficult to find a time that works for both sides; that's where Adam comes in. They understand the frustration of this process and have created a network of the best painters in the cities we serve. They will choose a painter who understands your requirements and has experience with the specific technique needed for each job, and they strive to accommodate your availability.
Booking a painter with Adam is easy – simply fill out the details of the space you want painted, choose your desired colour, and they’ll take care of the rest. At Adam they believe that painting shouldn't be a chore and aim to make the process as easy as shopping online.
Final conclusions
When you add up all the items you'll need to purchase for a do-it-yourself painting project, you'll likely spend around €90. We've already discussed the various factors – such as paint quality, the number of painting supplies, and the extent of repairs – that can impact this price. At first glance, €90 may seem like a more affordable option compared to the €150 you would pay a professional painter.
However, it's not always a simple choice. If you decide to paint on your own, it's not a task you can complete in just one afternoon. The process of purchasing all the necessary items alone can take several hours, and it's not always possible to achieve the same level of quality as a professional. Even the best quality paint may not produce the desired result. So consider what you hope to achieve with the painting and whether you have space to store all the tools you'll need. Keep in mind that you may not use these tools again for several years.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. Whether you choose to do the painting yourself or hire a professional, I hope you end up with the beautifully painted walls of your dreams.
