June 15, 2026 · 4 min read
Prep is most of the job, not a step before it
On a typical interior repaint, prep and protection take up more of our time on-site than the actual painting. That ratio is backwards from what most homeowners expect, and it's exactly why two crews can quote the same paint and the same number of coats, but produce a completely different result.
Patch before you prime, not after
Nail holes, dents, and old drywall cracks all need to be filled, sanded flush and primed before the first coat of finish paint. Painting over an unpatched hole doesn't hide it — it just makes it shinier and easier to spot from across the room.
Caulk is what makes a paint job look 'built-in'
The gaps between trim and wall, at outside corners of baseboards, and around window casing all open up slightly over time, even in a well-built house. Caulking those seams before painting is what makes a repainted room look intentional rather than just recolored.
What you should ask a painter before you hire them
Ask specifically what surface prep is included, not just how many coats. 'Two coats' means nothing if the wall underneath wasn't patched, sanded and primed first. A written, itemized estimate should spell this out — if it doesn't, ask for a version that does.
Related Service
Interior Painting