Angie’s List: Tips on interior painting

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Painting is one of the easiest ways to improve the look of your home. Doing it well is the key. But before picking up a brush, the walls must be prepped.

"Prep work is the most important thing. You need to make sure you have a clean and dry surface that you are painting,” said Jim Michels of Pinnacle Painting. “All the seams on the trim are caulked. You need a good surface for the paint to adhere to."

Even if you do-it-yourself, wall preparation is the key. But, if you plan to hire a contractor, Angie Hicks of Angie's List said be sure you know who's doing the job before signing a contract.

"Talk to the professionals. Ask them how long they've been doing painting. Obviously, ask if they have insurance. And do they have experience in interior painting. And who is going to do the job. Is it actually the person you are speaking with? Are they going to bring a crew onto the job?"

After the prep work comes the painting.

"Typically on walls you want to use a flat or egg shell," said Michels.

If a semi gloss or gloss is being used, more imperfections on the wall will be visible.

Gloss or semi gloss paints shouldn’t be used for trim painting because that needs to be more durable.

As for the cost of a professional paint job, Michels said, "Labor cost is going to be around I would say between $150 and $200 depending on what you're doing in the room and how much prep work there is."

If a clean dry wall with very few repairs and the same or a similar color paint is being used, Michels said one coat is often enough.

But if the color is being switched or there are a lot of flaws in the wall two coats works best.

Michels said if good quality paint is used and the right kind of prep work is done, a paint job should last 5 to 8 years.

Often he said people get tired of a color before the paint is worn out.