8 ways to save money when painting
Painting your home or business can be a costly activity. The good news is that there are many ways to make sure you save money and stick to your budget. There are many tips out there, but we’ve focused on 8 ways to make sure you don’t spend more than you need to when painting.
Here's how to save money on paint projects
1. Plan
Like anything in life, it’s always good to have a plan before you take action. Don’t buy anything until you know exactly what you want to achieve with this particular painting project. Avoid impulse purchases! Figure out exactly what areas you want to paint and stick to it. You don’t have to paint everything at once.
2. Bargaining
Now that you have a plan, take the time to find out a lot about the paint you need to buy. This doesn’t mean buying the cheapest paint you can find, as this can end up costing you more in the long run as it can cause problems. This means being patient enough to get your paint at the best price. This could mean waiting for a sale, haggling with the sales assistant helping you, or buying in bulk so your cost per gallon is lower.
3. Calculate
Make sure you calculate correctly how much you will need for your paint project. You definitely don’t want to buy (and overspend) too much paint!
4. DIY
Professional painters can be expensive. It might make more sense to do the painting yourself (which can end up costing you more if you know you won’t mess it up). Instead of calling in professionals, why not get your friends to help you do the painting yourself? That way, the painting will be done faster and you’ll get to spend quality time together.
5. Color samples and tests
A color may look great at the paint store, but when you put it on your walls at home, it can have a completely different look and feel. The moral of the story is never buy paint without thinking. It’s always best to get swatches and samples that you can take home to test in areas you want to paint. Leave them on your walls for a while so you can think about it.
6. Don't paint every area
One way to save money is to use less paint. You can do this by not painting all the walls in your home, but rather pick a few rooms to do first, or focus on doing a wall in a room that could be an accent wall. You can also use paint stencils that can lift up your walls without using too much paint.
7. The right paint materials
While you may think that you are saving money by purchasing the cheapest materials, equipment and paint, you are not! Instead, invest in quality materials for your painting job and don't skimp on anything. A great paintbrush and the best paint will make a world of difference.
8. Monochrome
A simple way to save money when painting is to use one color instead of multiple colors. That way, you can buy in bulk, which will likely be discounted. Just make sure to choose a neutral color that works throughout your entire home.
