You need to know how to plan and shop for your painting project so that you minimize costs. Painting can be expensive if you're not careful, but you can minimize the costs of your project by taking advantage of the following six helpful tips.
1. Head to the hardware store frequently to check out mistints that are available
Mistints are mixed paints that didn't turn out the right color according to the buyer's needs or desires. Hardware stores will typically sell mistints for a reduced price. In some cases, mistints could turn out to be just right for your needs.
You should probably stop by the hardware store from time to time to see if a mistint that becomes available will suit your needs for your painting job.
2. Put primer down before you put paint down
Putting down a coat of primer can reduce the amount of paint you need to use. Also, primer tends to be less expensive than paint. This means that using primer could in many cases reduce the overall cost of your project.
3. Purchase a higher quality paint
It might seem counterintuitive that buying a higher quality paint could save you money. However, better paints will typically offer a thicker coat as they dry. This means that, in the end, you'll probably pay less for the project by investing in better quality.
Also, a higher quality paint will be less likely to chip off after it is applied so that the paint job will last longer. You'll then be able to wait longer before you need to repaint down the road.
4. Make bulk paint purchases if you're doing a lot of painting
If you're going to be painting over a large area, buying in bulk is important. Calculate the square footage you need to cover and buy the entire quantity of paint that you need at one time if possible.
5. Consider covering rollers and brushes rather than cleaning them off
You don't necessarily have to clean off rollers and brushes at the end of a day of painting. If you cover your rollers and brushes tightly in plastic, the paint will stay wet, and you can just reuse the rollers and brushes the next day. This will help you save you both time and paint over the course of your project.
6. Frequently replenish your rollers and brush
While you're painting, don't let your roller or brush get too dry before you reapply paint. It's a good idea to keep your rollers and brushes thickly covered with paint as you go along. This will help you to stretch less paint over more area in the long run and will also improve the appearance of the paint job.