Pre-painting
A Home Building Licence Check
You should always check your tradesperson is licensed before you hire.
In NSW licensing protects you in the following ways:
A licence check, with NSW Fair Trading (fair-trading.nsw.gov.au), will show you lots of background information about your choice of tradie, both current and historical.
Where an aspect of the licence is marked with a green tick, this means it is current and a start date will advise you when it was added to the licence record.
Where an aspect of the licence is marked with a grey cross, this means that it is no longer current. You will see a start date and an end date next to any condition that has this grey cross.
Allergies
You should let us know if you are allergic to dust, oil based paints or other products that may be used for the job so that we can work around this problem.
Animals
Please mention Pets that you may have. Pet Birds should be relocated to another room, garage or placed outside. Cats and dogs should be restricted from work areas as pet hair on newly painted work is not a good look.
Gardening
You may like to carry out some gardening such as trimming back plants bushes or trees that are growing up against the house.
Guttering & Down Pipes
If guttering and down pipes are to be painted, check for rust and holes in case they need replacing.
Large Items
Large items such as chairs, tables etc., that can be removed from the work area would be appreciated. Larger items tables, couches, cupboards, beds etc., will be covered.
Moving Parts
Check that all moving parts are working properly. If you have Sash Cord Windows test by pulling cord out as far as it will go and let go. A cord that needs replacing will snap. A Sash Spring Window just check if the spring is no longer working. These types of window it is better that they are replaced prior to painting and not after as all your painting will need to be done all over again. Others moving parts that need to be checked are window and door hinges, locks and handles.
Other Trades
Contact other trades that will be relevant to job, such as plumbers, electricians, glazier etc., and have them complete their work prior to commencement of painting. This is to ensure that no scruff marks or damage is caused to the new paintwork.
Picture Hooks & Fittings
If re-arranging wall hangings, replacing blinds and curtains or replacing handles and locks, let us know and we can fill the old picture hook holes and other holes prior to painting.
Rooms
If you would like to make a substantial price saving and you are willing, then you could entirely empty the room which enables painting to be carried out more effectively.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding may be required for high and difficult areas to access. This is a lawful requirement by Occupational Health and Safety.
Small Items
Small items should be removed from tables, sideboards, dressers. etc., and placed in a cardboard boxes for easy storage.
Valuables
Remove all personal and expensive items in preparation of painting.
Washing Down
If you High Pressure wash your house you may find that some part of the house may not need paint after all.
Post-Painting
Clean Items
It goes without saying that before items are replaced in their places the they be cleaned.
New Picture Hooks
When replacing hooks on at wall it is recommended that a plug and screw be used in rendered of brick walls and galvanised nail or a picture hook & diagonal pin be used on gyprock/plaster board.
Replace Carpets or Polish Timber Floors
It is suggested that the replacement of carpets and the polishing of timber floors be done after painting is complete.
Smells
If you find the smell of fresh paint is overwhelming you may like to try the following –
Cut a large peeled onion into quarters, place each in a separate saucer (one cut side facing down), add some water and place the saucers in different locations in the room or
Place small bowls or small glasses filled part way with vinegar around the room.
Washing Curtains
With Curtains remove for painting it may be a good time to wash, dry clean or replace with something new.