How to Prepare Your Orinda Home for Professional Painters

Hiring professional painters means you don't have to do the actual painting work, but a little preparation before the crew arrives can make the project smoother, faster, and less stressful for everyone. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare your Orinda home will help the painting process go more smoothly and ensure you get the results you want.

We've painted hundreds of homes throughout Orinda, Lafayette, and Moraga over the past 20-plus years, and we've learned that clear communication and simple preparation make a huge difference. In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly what to do before your painters arrive, what happens during the project, and how to make sure everything goes according to plan.

This is practical advice based on real projects in real homes. We'll cover interior and exterior preparation, furniture and belongings, pets and kids, and what to expect during different phases of the work. By the end, you'll know exactly how to get your home ready for professional painters.

What Happens Before the Painters Arrive

Before we start any painting project, we schedule a pre-project walkthrough to confirm details, answer questions, and make sure everyone is on the same page. This is your opportunity to ask final questions, point out specific areas of concern, and review the scope of work.

During the walkthrough, we'll confirm paint colors, discuss any last-minute changes, and review the project timeline. We'll identify which rooms or areas will be painted, which surfaces will be masked or protected, and where we'll stage materials and equipment. If you haven't finalized paint colors, this is the time to do it. Changing colors after the project starts can delay the schedule and add costs.

We'll also discuss access to your home. If you'll be home during the project, we'll coordinate work schedules to minimize disruption. If you'll be away, we'll arrange for secure access and establish check-in points. For exterior projects, we'll discuss parking for our vehicles, access to water and electricity, and any landscaping or outdoor areas that need special protection.

If repairs are part of the project, such as drywall patching, wood rot repair, or caulking, we'll identify those areas and confirm they're included in the scope. It's much easier to address these items before painting starts than to discover them mid-project.

We'll also review your home's specific considerations. Many Orinda homes have architectural details like vaulted ceilings, intricate trim, custom millwork, or valuable finishes that require extra care. We'll note these features and plan our prep and protection accordingly.

Finally, we'll confirm the start date and provide an estimated timeline. Most interior projects take three to seven days, depending on the size and complexity. Exterior projects can take one to three weeks, depending on weather, surface condition, and the extent of prep work required. We'll give you a realistic timeline so you can plan around the project.

Preparing Your Home's Interior for Painting

Interior painting projects require less preparation from homeowners than exterior projects, but a few simple steps make the process smoother.

Clear Wall Surfaces and Remove Decor

Take down wall art, mirrors, picture frames, clocks, and decorative shelves before we arrive. These items are easier for you to handle because you know which ones are fragile or valuable. Removing them also prevents accidental damage and allows us to paint right up to the edges of walls without working around obstacles.

Remove or loosen curtain rods, drapery hardware, and window treatments if they'll interfere with painting around windows and trim. If you're not sure whether something needs to come down, err on the side of removing it. We can always work around items if necessary, but having clear walls speeds up the work.

Take down switchplate covers, outlet covers, and vent registers if you're comfortable doing so. Many homeowners prefer to handle this themselves, though we're happy to do it as part of our prep work. Removing these items allows us to paint right to the edges without masking, which creates cleaner lines.

Clear countertops, shelves, and furniture tops in rooms being painted. Clutter slows down prep work and increases the risk of items being accidentally knocked over or paint-splattered. Moving these items to another room or packing them away temporarily keeps them safe and gives us clear access to work surfaces.

Furniture Moving and Protection

We move furniture as part of our standard process, but there are a few things you can do to make this easier and safer.

Empty dressers, bookcases, and cabinets if possible. Heavy furniture is easier to move when it's empty, and it reduces the risk of drawers sliding open or items falling out during the move. If you have valuable or fragile items on shelves or in cabinets, pack them away before we arrive.

Consolidate small furniture and decor items into one or two rooms that won't be painted. This keeps them out of the way and makes it easier for us to move larger furniture to the center of rooms and cover it with plastic.

Let us know if any furniture is extremely heavy, fragile, or valuable. We take care when moving furniture, but knowing which items require special attention helps us plan. Antique pieces, heavy armoires, and large entertainment centers sometimes require extra crew members or special handling.

For most projects, we move furniture to the center of the room and wrap it with new plastic sheeting. This keeps it protected from dust and overspray while giving us access to walls and trim. For large homes or rooms with lots of furniture, we sometimes move furniture from one half of the room to the other, paint that section, then shift everything and paint the other half.

If you're having ceilings painted, we'll need to move furniture completely out of the room or cover it very thoroughly, as ceiling work generates more dust and drips than wall painting.

Floors, Carpets, and Rugs

We cover all floors with drop cloths to protect against spills, drips, and foot traffic. Here's what you can do to prepare.

Roll up area rugs and move them to a room that's not being painted, or stack them in a protected corner. Rugs are easier to move before we start, and removing them protects them from paint splatters and gives us clear access to the floor.

Vacuum carpets and sweep hard floors before we arrive. Clean floors prevent dust from being stirred up and contaminating fresh paint. It also makes it easier for us to lay down drop cloths without trapping dirt underneath.

If you have delicate or newly refinished hardwood floors, let us know. We use canvas or heavy-duty paper drop cloths on these surfaces to prevent scratching or scuffing. Plastic sheeting can trap moisture and damage wood floors, so we avoid it on hardwood unless it's covered with a breathable layer.

For homes with light-colored or high-end carpet, we use extra layers of protection in high-traffic areas and around ladders to prevent tracking and indentations.

Pets and Children During Interior Painting

Painting projects create temporary disruption, and managing pets and children makes the process safer and less stressful.

If you have pets, consider keeping them in a separate part of the house or arranging temporary care during the work. Open doors, wet paint, and unfamiliar people can stress pets and create safety hazards. Cats and dogs are curious and may walk through wet paint, knock over materials, or slip out open doors.

If pets must stay in the home, let us know their routines and any areas they need access to. We can work around pet areas and close doors to keep them safe and contained. We'll also watch for pets near open doors and windows.

For families with young children, consider planning activities outside the home during work hours if possible. Painting creates fumes, dust, and wet surfaces that aren't safe for small children. We use low-VOC and zero-VOC paints whenever possible to minimize odors and health concerns, but it's still best to keep young kids away from active work areas.

If children will be home during the project, designate a play area in a room that's not being painted, and keep doors closed to work areas. We'll do our best to minimize noise and disruption during nap times or quiet hours if you let us know your schedule.

HVAC, Smoke Detectors, and Utilities

Turn off ceiling fans in rooms being painted. Fans stir up dust and cause air movement that can affect paint drying and create overspray issues if we're using a sprayer.

If you have central heating or air conditioning, consider adjusting your HVAC system during the painting process. Running the system can circulate paint fumes and dust throughout the house. We'll advise you on whether to turn off the HVAC or just close vents in rooms being painted.

Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors may need to be temporarily removed or covered during ceiling painting to prevent damage from overspray. We can handle this, or you can do it yourself. If we remove detectors, we'll reinstall them when the work is complete, but it's a good idea to test them afterward.

Make sure we have access to water and electricity. We need water for cleaning brushes, rollers, and equipment, and we need electrical outlets for lights, sprayers, and other tools. If you have specific outlets or water sources you'd like us to use, point them out during the walkthrough.

Preparing Your Home's Exterior for Painting

Exterior painting projects require different preparation than interior work, mostly focused on outdoor access, landscaping, and clearing areas around the house.

Clear Areas Around the House Perimeter

Move outdoor furniture, planters, grills, and decorations away from the house before we arrive. We need clear access to all walls, siding, trim, and eaves. Moving these items yourself ensures they're handled carefully and placed where you want them.

Trim back shrubs, bushes, and tree branches that touch or hang close to the house. We need about two to three feet of clearance around the house perimeter to set up ladders, scaffolding, and drop cloths. Overgrown vegetation makes it difficult to paint properly and can trap moisture against siding or paint.

If you have garden beds, delicate plants, or irrigation systems near the house, let us know. We'll take extra care to protect these areas with tarps and barriers. If plants are extremely fragile or valuable, consider transplanting them temporarily or wrapping them with burlap or protective sheeting.

Clear walkways, driveways, and access paths to the house. We'll be carrying ladders, scaffolding, and materials back and forth, and clear paths make this safer and more efficient. Remove hoses, garden tools, bikes, and other items that could become tripping hazards.

Outdoor Utilities and Fixtures

We'll need access to exterior water spigots for cleaning, mixing, and equipment. Make sure spigots are accessible and in working order. If you have a hose we can use, let us know, or we'll bring our own.

We'll also need access to exterior electrical outlets for sprayers, lights, and power tools. If your outlets are on GFCI circuits, make sure they're working properly. If you don't have exterior outlets, we can run extension cords from interior outlets if you grant permission.

Remove or protect exterior light fixtures, house numbers, mailboxes, and decorative hardware if they're in areas being painted. We can work around these items, but removing them allows us to paint more thoroughly and prevents accidental damage.

If you have security cameras, motion sensors, or outdoor speakers, point them out during the walkthrough. We'll mask or protect them during painting.

Garage, Driveway, and Parking

Make space in your driveway or street parking for our vehicles and equipment trailer. Exterior projects require ladders, scaffolding, sprayers, and materials, and we need convenient access for loading and unloading.

If we're painting your garage door or garage trim, clear out items stored near the door so we have access. We'll need to open and close the garage door during prep and painting, so make sure it's operational.

Some Orinda homes have steep or narrow driveways that make access challenging. Let us know in advance if there are access limitations, and we'll plan accordingly. For hillside homes or properties with difficult access, we may need to park on the street and carry materials up stairs or slopes.

Landscaping and Outdoor Protection

We take care to protect your landscaping during exterior painting projects, but you can help by identifying valuable or sensitive plants and features.

Point out irrigation system components, sprinkler heads, and outdoor lighting that might be hidden in vegetation or mulch. We'll avoid damaging these items, but knowing where they are helps.

If you have recently seeded lawns, new sod, or delicate ground covers, let us know so we can avoid foot traffic and equipment in those areas.

We use drop cloths, tarps, and protective sheeting to cover decks, patios, walkways, and landscaping near the house. After the project, we remove all coverings and clean up debris, but some paint dust or overspray may settle on plants. A gentle rinse with a hose after we leave will remove any residue.

Weather Considerations for Exterior Painting

Exterior painting in Orinda depends on weather conditions. We need dry surfaces, moderate temperatures, and no rain in the forecast for at least 24 to 48 hours after application.

If your project is scheduled during fall or winter, be prepared for weather delays. We monitor forecasts closely and will reschedule if conditions aren't suitable. Painting in poor weather leads to adhesion problems, slow drying, and paint failure, so we'd rather delay than risk a bad result.

During summer, extreme heat can also affect painting. We may start work earlier in the morning or work on shaded sides of the house during the hottest part of the day to ensure optimal paint performance.

We'll keep you updated on any weather-related schedule changes and work with you to find alternative dates that work for both of us.

What to Expect During the Painting Project

Understanding what happens during each phase of the project helps you know what's normal and when to communicate with us.

Setup and Protection Phase

On day one, we arrive with equipment, materials, and our crew. We'll start by setting up drop cloths, moving furniture, and protecting floors, fixtures, and surfaces. This phase can take a few hours, depending on the size of the project.

We'll cover furniture with plastic sheeting, lay drop cloths over floors and carpets, and mask off areas that won't be painted, such as windows, trim, or fixtures. We'll also set up ladders, scaffolding, or lifts for exterior projects.

During this phase, you'll hear noise from moving furniture, laying down materials, and setting up equipment. This is normal and temporary.

Preparation and Repair Phase

After setup, we start surface preparation, which includes scraping, sanding, caulking, patching, and priming. Prep work is the foundation of a quality paint job, and we take the time to do it right.

For interior projects, prep includes filling nail holes, patching drywall damage, sanding rough areas, caulking gaps around trim and molding, and priming stained or repaired areas.

For exterior projects, prep includes pressure washing or hand-scrubbing, scraping loose or peeling paint, sanding rough areas, caulking around windows and doors, repairing damaged wood or siding, and priming bare or stained surfaces.

Prep work can generate dust, especially sanding and scraping. We contain dust as much as possible, but some dust is inevitable. We vacuum and clean up at the end of each day to minimize mess.

Painting Phase

Once prep is complete, we begin applying paint. For most projects, we apply at least two coats, sometimes more for color changes or coverage issues.

We follow manufacturer-recommended dry times between coats, which typically range from two to four hours for interior latex paint. We never rush recoat times, even if it means the project takes an extra day, because proper drying ensures a durable, long-lasting finish.

During painting, you'll smell paint odors, even with low-VOC products. We ventilate rooms as much as possible by opening windows and using fans. Odors typically dissipate within a few hours to a day after painting is complete.

We work efficiently but carefully, cutting clean lines, avoiding drips and runs, and ensuring even coverage. We inspect our work as we go and touch up any issues immediately.

Cleanup and Final Walkthrough

After painting is complete, we move furniture back to its original position, remove drop cloths, clean and reinstall fixtures, and vacuum and sweep all work areas. We remove all trash, leftover materials, and equipment from your home.

We do a final walkthrough with you to review the work, address any touch-ups, and make sure you're satisfied. We'll point out any areas that need extra cure time before hanging artwork or moving furniture against walls.

We'll label and leave touch-up paint for future use, along with any product information sheets or warranty details.

Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we won't consider the project complete until you're happy with the results.

Common Questions and Concerns

Do I need to move everything out of rooms being painted?

No. We move furniture to the center of the room and cover it with plastic. You only need to remove wall hangings, decor, and fragile items from surfaces. If you have extremely valuable or fragile furniture, you may choose to move it to another room, but it's not required.

How long will I need to stay out of painted rooms?

For interior projects, rooms are usually usable the same day or evening after painting, though we recommend waiting until the paint is fully dry to move furniture back against walls or hang artwork. This typically takes 24 hours. You can sleep in a bedroom the night after it's painted, but keep windows open for ventilation if possible.

Will my house smell like paint for days?

Modern low-VOC and zero-VOC paints have much less odor than older formulas. You'll smell paint during application and for a few hours afterward, but the smell typically fades within a day. Good ventilation speeds up the process.

What if I need to change paint colors after the project starts?

Color changes after we've started painting can delay the schedule and add costs, especially if we've already purchased and opened paint. We always confirm colors during the pre-project walkthrough to avoid this issue. If you're unsure about a color, we recommend testing samples before committing.

Can I stay home during the painting project?

Yes. Many homeowners stay home during interior projects. We'll work around your schedule and minimize disruption as much as possible. Let us know if you have calls, meetings, or quiet times when we should work in other areas of the house.

Why Lamorinda Painting Makes Preparation Easy

We've painted hundreds of homes throughout Orinda, Lafayette, and Moraga, and we've developed a process that minimizes disruption and makes preparation simple for homeowners. We communicate clearly before the project starts, answer all your questions, and provide guidance on what you need to do and what we'll handle.

We're fully licensed and insured, and we treat your home with care and respect. We move your furniture to the center of the room and wrap it with new plastic. Wall and ceiling fixtures are protected, and all floors are covered with drop cloths. We vacuum and sweep all floors and carpets, and we remove all garbage when the job is done. We move furniture back to original positions and leave touch-up paint labeled for future use.

Our attention to detail sets us apart, and we always leave your home spotless. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our estimates are always free. If you're planning a painting project in Orinda or anywhere in Lamorinda, we'd be happy to schedule a consultation and walk you through what to expect.

Ready to Get Started?

Preparing for professional painters doesn't have to be complicated. With a little planning and clear communication, your painting project can go smoothly from start to finish. We're here to guide you through the process and deliver high-quality painting services at affordable prices.

Contact Lamorinda Painting today for a free estimate. We'll discuss your project, answer your questions, and provide a detailed timeline and preparation checklist tailored to your specific home and needs. We serve Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, and the greater Bay Area with professionalism, reliability, and craftsmanship.

Call us at (925) 890-0361 or email lamorindapainting@gmail.com to schedule your consultation. We look forward to working with you and transforming your home with a fresh, beautiful paint job.