What to Expect When You Paint Your Home's Interior
The decisions we'll make together, room by room.
Free written estimate · no pressure
A paint job lasts because of the prep and the paint. Here's what to decide as we walk your home, and what each choice does for you.
The Short Version
- Sheen
- Flat ceilings, matte or eggshell walls, satin or semi-gloss trim and doors.
- Coats
- Two for any color change. One only for the same color and sheen on walls in good shape.
- Paint
- SuperPaint for everyday rooms, Emerald for walls that get scrubbed.
1What should we paint in each room?
Go room by room and decide on walls, ceilings, trim, doors and closets.
Painting a room's walls and leaving a yellowed ceiling or scuffed trim can make the new paint show them up. Doing it all at once costs less than coming back for it later.
2How perfect should the wall repairs be?
The more light hits a wall, the more repair it deserves.
Small nail holes get filled and sanded on any job. Bigger holes, dents and old anchors get patched. Cracks get paper tape and mud, feathered wide so they disappear. Every repair is spot-primed, or it shows through as a dull spot. Let's look at your walls with the lights on.
3What gets moved and what gets covered?
We move the furniture to the middle of the room and wrap it in plastic. You take down pictures and pack up small things and electronics.
Floors get covered edge to edge with paper and drop cloths. We tape along the trim, and paper and plastic anything near the work. If you'd rather move the furniture yourself, or want a room left open, tell us on the walk.
4Do I need one coat of paint or two?
Two coats for any color change, for walls that are patchy or scuffed, and anywhere you want the color deep and the sheen even.
Two coats also leave more paint on the wall to stand up to wear.
One coat can work when it's the same color and same sheen, the walls are in good shape, and it's a refresh: a ceiling going white over white, a closet, a guest room. A second coat adds labor and paint but no more prep, so it doesn't double the price.
5Which paint should I use on my walls?
SuperPaint for bedrooms, living rooms and everyday walls. Emerald for kitchens, halls and kids' rooms where walls get scrubbed.
Paint Good for Paint cost Home Depot Behr Premium Plus Rentals, low-use rooms, getting a home ready to sell Starting point Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Bedrooms, living rooms, everyday walls About 25% more Sherwin-Williams Emerald Kitchens, halls, kids' rooms: walls that get scrubbed About double Labor is most of the job, so a better paint moves the whole price much less: roughly 2 to 3% for SuperPaint and 5 to 10% for Emerald. Your estimate shows the real number. Trim and doors take a harder enamel that costs more per gallon, but it takes far fewer gallons.
6What sheen should I use on walls, ceilings and trim?
Most homes: flat ceilings, matte or eggshell walls, satin or semi-gloss trim and doors, and a little more sheen in baths.
The flatter the sheen, the better it hides flaws. The shinier, the easier it wipes clean.
Surface Sheen Ceilings Flat Walls Matte or eggshell Baths A little more sheen than the other rooms Trim and doors Satin or semi-gloss Color looks different on your wall than on a chip, so try samples and look at them morning and night.
How the Job Goes
- 1
Your written estimate. What's being painted, what's prepped, which paint, how many coats. Options priced so you can pick.
- 2
Sign and deposit. A 30% deposit holds your place on the schedule. You can cancel within 3 business days of signing for a full refund.
- 3
Approve colors. At least 3 business days before the start, so paint can be ordered and tinted.
- 4
You clear small items. Pictures, valuables, electronics and window treatments. We handle the furniture.
- 5
We protect, repair, then paint. Cleaned up every day. Our vetted crews run the job.
- 6
We walk it with you. Touch-ups get done before the balance is due.
- 7
Leftover paint stays. Labeled by room, for touch-ups later.
2-year workmanship warranty, in writing on every estimate — if our paint peels, blisters or flakes because of how we prepped or applied it, we come back and fix it at no cost.
Comparing Quotes? Ask Any Painter
- How many coats is that price, and which paint exactly?
- Are holes and cracks in the price, and are repairs primed?
- Who moves and covers the furniture and floors?
- Is the warranty in writing, and how long is it?
Common Questions
How often should I repaint?
Rule of thumb: busy rooms and halls every 3 to 5 years, bedrooms and living rooms every 5 to 10, ceilings every 10 or more, trim every 5 to 10. Scuffs that won't wash off or a tired color are the real signal.
Does one coat cover a color change?
No. A new color takes two coats. Going dark to light, or to a deep red or yellow, may need a primer too.
When can I use one coat?
Same color, same sheen, clean walls in good shape. Repairs still get primed first.
Do I need primer everywhere?
Usually not on sound painted walls. We prime repairs, stains and bare drywall.
Will repairs show, or cracks come back?
Paint doesn't hide texture, so a patch can show in strong side light. We'll point those out. A house that keeps moving can reopen a crack.
Can we stay home?
Yes. We keep paths clear so you can get around. Keep kids and pets out of work and drying areas.
How soon can I hang things or wash walls?
Dry to touch in hours. Paint takes 2 to 4 weeks to fully harden, so go gentle until then.
My home is older. Does that matter?
Tell us the year it was built. Federal lead-safe rules apply to homes built before 1978, and we'll go over what that means.
Back to interior house painting → · See a McHenry condo before and after →
Get a Written Interior Estimate
We walk the rooms with you, make these decisions together and put them in writing, with options priced so you can pick.
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