From color chip to finished wall
Lake Havasu City was founded as a master-planned recreation and retirement community and was incorporated in 1978. It drew worldwide attention when McCulloch bought the London Bridge in 1968; the bridge was taken apart brick by brick in London, shipped over, rebuilt across three years, and a mile-long channel was dredged for it.
A house repaint is a much smaller project, but it also goes better with a plan. This page follows an exterior job in the order it usually happens, starting with the decision most homeowners spend the longest on: the color.
Choosing colors you'll still like
Test on the wall, not the screen
Paint chips and screens rarely match what a color does on a full wall outdoors. Buy sample quarts or large sample cards and put them on more than one side of the house. Look at them in the morning, at midday and in late afternoon. A color that looks soft at the store can look much brighter across a big wall.
Think in groups of three
Most exteriors use a body color, a trim color and an accent for doors or shutters. Pick the body first, since it covers the most area, then choose trim and accent against it. Contrast between body and trim makes the trim lines read; similar values make the house look more uniform.
Consider the roof and fixed elements
Roof color, brick or stone, garage doors and window frames usually stay as they are. Choose paint colors that work with those rather than against them.
Sheen
Flat and low-sheen finishes hide surface flaws on large walls. Satin and semi-gloss resist dirt and are easier to wipe, which is why they're common on doors and trim. Our paint sheens guide goes through the options.
Getting the surface ready
Good paint on a poorly prepared wall won't last. Before a painter opens a can, expect:
1. Washing. Dust, chalk, cobwebs and grime come off with a wash and rinse, followed by drying time. 2. Removing failure. Flaking or blistered paint is scraped back to a firm edge. 3. Filling and patching. Cracks, holes and gaps are filled with a material suited to the surface. 4. Caulking. Joints at trim and around windows and doors get a paintable sealant. 5. Priming. Bare spots, patches and stains get primer; a full prime coat may be needed for a big color change. 6. Masking and covering. Windows, light fixtures, walks and plants are protected.
Our exterior painting page explains each step in more detail.
Coats and application
Most repaints call for at least two finish coats on the body, though a painter may suggest a different plan depending on the product and the color change. Ask how the paint will go on: by brush, roller, sprayer, or a mix. Spraying is fast but needs careful masking and back-rolling on some surfaces to get the paint into texture.
Follow the label on temperatures and recoat times. A crew that rushes the second coat onto a film that hasn't dried can trap solvent or water and weaken the finish.
Older paint and the federal rule
EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule says anyone paid to do work that disturbs paint in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978 must hold RRP certification, firms included, even sole proprietorships, and their workers must be trained in lead-safe work practices. If your house was built before then, ask the painter whether the firm holds RRP certification before any scraping or sanding begins. EPA's page, linked in the card below, explains the rule.
What the proposal should name
- each surface to be painted, and any that are excluded;
- the preparation for each surface;
- the primer and finish products, colors and sheens;
- the number of coats;
- repairs found during prep and how they'll be priced;
- protection of plants, hardscape and fixtures;
- cleanup and disposal;
- a start date, a rough duration and a payment schedule tied to progress.
The pricing guide explains why two proposals for the same house can differ.
The final walk-through
Walk the house with the crew lead in daylight. Look at trim edges, behind light fixtures and downspouts, around hose bibs, and along the bottom of walls where splashback hides missed spots. Make a list and agree on touch-ups before final payment. Keep the color names and a labeled can of each for future repairs.