Most painting jobs go smoothly when homeowners know what they’re responsible for ahead of time. The ones that get complicated usually trace back to prep that didn’t happen before the crew arrived.
Here’s the full checklist, broken into interior and exterior, so you know exactly what falls on your side of the line.
Why Your Prep Work Matters More Than You’d Expect
Painters are responsible for a lot. Surface prep, product selection, clean lines, protecting what doesn’t get painted. That’s the craft. But the house needs to be ready for the crew to actually do that work without delays.
When a homeowner hasn’t cleared a room, moved personal items, or made decisions about what’s getting painted, the job slows down. Sometimes it stops entirely while we wait. That’s not good for anyone.
In Lewis County, we work in all kinds of homes across Centralia, Chehalis, and the surrounding towns. The homes are different. The prep situations are different. But the basic responsibilities on the homeowner’s side are consistent.
If you’re not sure whether something falls on you or on us, call and ask. It’s a much better conversation to have before the job starts than after.
Interior Painting: What You Need to Handle Before We Show Up
Clear the Walls
Take down artwork, photos, mirrors, clocks, shelving, and anything else mounted to the walls being painted. This includes any decorative hooks, outlet covers, and switch plates if you’d like to handle those yourself.
If you want items rehung in the exact same spots afterward, leave the hangers in place. If you want a clean slate with all holes filled, take the hangers out before we arrive or let us know upfront so we pull them and patch.
Clear the Knick Knacks and Breakables
Remove small items from shelves, countertops, windowsills, and any surface near the walls. We work carefully, but the safest place for anything fragile or irreplaceable is out of the room entirely.
This includes lamps, plants, vases, books, and anything decorative sitting near the work area. If it can break or get damaged by paint, move it before we get there.
Furniture: Know What’s Staying and What’s Moving
We can move reasonably heavy furniture and often don’t charge for it. If you have large pieces that need to shift away from the walls, communicate that ahead of time. We’ll work with you on it.
What’s harder is furniture that hasn’t been cleared at all. If we show up to a room packed with full shelving units, stacked boxes, and items that were never meant to move, that changes the scope of the job. Clear what you can. Ask about the rest.
Electronics deserve special attention. If a TV or computer is in the room, move it out or at minimum discuss it with us beforehand so we can protect it properly.
The emptier the room, the faster and cleaner the job. If you can move furniture entirely out instead of just pushing it to the center, do it. It makes a real difference in how much we can accomplish without interruption.
Make a Decision on Paint Colors Before the Day Of
This seems obvious, but it’s one of the most common sources of delay. If you haven’t chosen a color by the time the crew arrives, we’re waiting on you. That time costs money and affects the schedule for every job behind yours.
Select your colors, confirm with us, and make sure the decision is final before paint day. If you’re second-guessing, work it out beforehand. We can help with product guidance and even use a color-matching tool to identify Sherwin-Williams equivalents for colors you’ve seen elsewhere, but the final call needs to be yours and it needs to be made early.
Secure or Remove Pets
Dogs, cats, and other animals should be secured or removed from the work areas for the duration of the job. Paint fumes, open doors, and equipment are all hazards for animals. A dog that wants to be underfoot all day is also a real safety concern for the crew.
If your pet needs to stay in the home, keep them in a room that’s completely clear of the work area with the door shut.
Identify Any Problem Areas You Know About
If there’s a water stain on the ceiling you’ve been ignoring, a wall that got patched before but always seems to bubble, or a surface you know has had issues, tell us before we start. We handle nail holes, minor drywall repair, and light prep as part of the job. But surprises take longer to address than things we knew about going in.
Exterior Painting: Your Prep List Before the Crew Arrives
Clear the Perimeter
Walk the perimeter of your home and move anything within five to eight feet of the walls. This includes patio furniture, grills, planters, garden hoses, decorative items, and anything stored against the house.
We need clear access to every surface being painted. If something is in the way, either the crew spends time moving it or that section gets skipped. Neither outcome is ideal.
Handle the Landscaping Near the Foundation
Overgrown shrubs and plants pressed against the siding create real problems for exterior prep and paint application. If you have bushes or vines growing against the house, trim them back before the crew arrives. We need at least a foot or two of clearance to work properly.
This is especially common on older homes in Centralia and Chehalis where landscaping has had years to grow in close to the structure. It’s a straightforward fix on your end before the job starts.
Move Vehicles Out of the Work Area
Any vehicles parked in the driveway or alongside the house should be moved before the crew arrives and kept away for the duration of the work. Overspray happens. Drips happen. A car parked under a second-story wall being painted is at risk. Move it.
Make Sure We Have Access to Water and Power
Exterior jobs often require access to an exterior water spigot and, in some cases, electrical outlets. Make sure these are accessible and working. If there are any known issues with your exterior outlets or water shutoffs, let us know before the job starts.
Alert Your Neighbors if Needed
Exterior painting can mean equipment along property lines and crew members working in areas close to neighboring properties. It’s good practice to give your neighbor a heads-up, especially if you share a fence line. This is a courtesy item on your end, not ours.
South-facing walls across Lewis County see the most sun exposure and tend to fade and chalk first. If we haven’t already flagged this during your estimate walkthrough, take a look at your south side before the job starts. Let us know if you’ve noticed significant fading or if the surface feels dusty when you run your hand across it. That helps us plan our prep approach.
The Stuff We’ll Handle (So You Don’t Have to Guess)
A lot of homeowners worry they need to do more than they actually do. Here’s what stays on our side.
- Laying drop cloths and protecting floors, cabinets, and surfaces not being painted
- Taping trim, windows, and fixtures
- Nail hole filling, minor drywall repairs, and light surface prep
- Sanding and priming where needed
- Pressure washing exterior surfaces before painting (as part of the job, not as a separate service)
- Caulking gaps at trim and siding joints
- Cleaning up at the end of each day and at project completion
We go above and beyond on the prep side regularly. Minor extras don’t always come with an extra charge. But we need the home to be in a condition where we can actually do that work when we arrive.
A Few Days Before: Final Steps
In the final days before the crew arrives, run through this short list.
- Confirm your color choices are final. No last-minute changes on paint day.
- Do a room-by-room walkthrough. Check that walls are clear, breakables are moved, and furniture is in a workable position.
- Make sure someone will be home or available. We may have questions early in the job. Having a decision-maker reachable saves time.
- Note any areas of concern. Write them down so you can point them out when we walk through at the start of the job.
- Secure pets and plan for their day. Don’t leave this until the morning of.
If you’ve done your part and we’ve done ours in the planning stage, the job day itself is usually straightforward. That’s the goal. Homeowners across the Centralia and Chehalis area who come into the job prepared consistently have a smoother experience and are happier with the outcome. It’s not a coincidence.
If you’re planning an interior or exterior project and want to get on our list, reach out early. We book well ahead and work from a running list. The earlier you connect with us, the better. Call us at 360-790-2726 or contact us through the website to get started.