Should You Paint Your House Yourself or Hire Professionals? Q&A with Better House Painters
Bianca & Sam, the duo behind Better House Painters
(Photo courtesy of Better House Painters)
House painting is one of those home renovation tasks many people assume they can tackle themselves. And technically, they can. But as many DIY-ers quickly discover, the difference lies in the application and the final finish. From personal experience, painting a house can be frustrating and even a little disheartening, especially if you do not have the right tools, techniques, or know-how to get that polished result you were hoping for.
Our own DIY painting attempts certainly taught us a few lessons. Projects cost more than we expected, paint somehow found its way onto floors and furniture, and what we thought would take a weekend stretched into weeks, sometimes months.
Everything changed when we enlisted the help of Better House Painters to paint our studio, deck, and living areas. Seeing the finished result was a real lightbulb moment. The team brought a wealth of knowledge about different surfaces, made thoughtful recommendations, and delivered a high-quality finish with impressive efficiency. Most importantly, they gave us something we had not experienced during our DIY attempts: peace of mind.
If you are on the fence about whether to hire professionals for your next house painting project, this Q&A with Bianca, one-half of Better House Painters, shares the insight that helped us understand the real value of bringing in the experts.
What moments or experiences along your journey inspired you to start Better House Painters, and how do those early influences still shape the care and craftsmanship you bring to each project?
Sam’s father is an architect, so from an early age, an interest in housing, design, and material sensibilities was instilled in him. Sam began his training as a painter & decorator straight after high school, so before we started Better House Painters, he already had a decade of experience under his belt.
I also grew up in a construction-oriented household. My family operates a multi-generational construction business, so I grew up on building sites. I studied Fine Arts at a university where conceptual thinking was a big focus, and that skill has become a very useful tool in business.
We met through a shared passion for gardening, which originated from a love for food and cooking. We were both drawn to process, to quality, and to understanding how things are made. That same proclivity transfers into Better House Painters. We both have a strong interest in attention to detail and understanding how a project comes together as a whole. When we started Better House Painters, it was important to us that our business was practical and intentional. And that it reflected our commitment to care, to quality, and to doing things the right way.
When a client invites you into their home, what does your ideal painting experience look like from start to finish, and what are the small details you focus on that most homeowners might not even think about?
Residential repainting is incredibly varied. Every house has different conditions, motivations, and priorities.
Some clients are preparing to sell. Others are refreshing a space they plan to live in for decades. Some care deeply about fine detail and craftsmanship. Others want durability and long-term protection. Some are sensitive to paint smells or prioritise non-toxic systems for their family. For others, it’s all about colour. So for us, the most important part of the experience is clarity.
We take time at the initial consultation to really understand what the outcome needs to be. Often clients haven’t fully untangled their objectives yet - so this is a really important (and potentially overlooked) part of the process because it informs almost everything about the way that we will work going forward.
From there our goal is to be communicative and respectful, and for the project to feel calm and organised. And having a clean site is non-negotiable for us!
You’ve likely seen DIY paint jobs and professional ones side by side, what are the most common mistakes homeowners make when they try it themselves, and how do those choices affect the longevity of the paintwork?
Lots of people tell us they “hate painting” and don’t understand how we do it for a job. Most of the time, that comes after they’ve tried it themselves without the right knowledge, tools or technique. Prep is usually where DIY projects usually fall short.
Skipping prep, not masking properly, using the wrong tools, using products the wrong way or using the wrong product altogether and generally having terrible painting technique are all common mistakes we see. Applying paint is a skill developed over years. Knowing how much paint to load, how to maintain a wet edge, and how to avoid brush marks, streaky ceilings or thin patches takes experience and attention to detail.
A bad paint job can have serious consequences (especially with exterior work) that can lead to all sorts of problems with rot and water ingress, rust, splitting and UV damage. Inside the home, painted surfaces are interacted with everyday, multiple times a day - so the quality of the finish can have a big impact on the feel of the space. Thin, patchy, streaky or generally poor workmanship is noticeable, and from our experience this can be a major source of irritation for our clients.
Beyond aesthetics, how can a quality paint job actually improve a home’s comfort, durability, or even value, and what should property owners prioritise if they want results that last?
A professionally applied paint system protects the substrate from moisture, UV exposure and everyday wear. When paint systems fail through age or poor workmanship, issues such as rot, water ingress, rust, blistering and cracking can develop. A quality paint job extends the life of a building and is an essential part of long-term maintenance and protection. Quality paint work signals that a property has been well cared for
There is also a more subtle aspect to quality paintwork. When paint has proper coverage, depth and weight, it contributes to how the space feels. Architectural theory and design practice recognise that surfaces play a role in the sensory and emotional experience of space. Unevenness, inconsistency or poorly resolved details can create a low-level sense of friction - a room can feel ‘off’ even if it’s difficult to explain why. Our work focuses on achieving material continuity and creating a sense of stability within the space.
This means paying attention to preparation, correct film build, sealing substrates, consistent sheen levels, and clean, sharp lines. These details influence how light interacts with the surface and how the space is perceived. Paint should work to make a space feel resolved and integrated - it is a finishing layer that completes architecture.
For someone standing in the hardware store, wondering whether to tackle a paint refresh themselves or call in professionals, what questions should they ask themselves to make the right decision for their space, budget, and time?
Painting is often underestimated because it looks simple, but good results come from experience, technique and knowledge of how different products behave on different surfaces.
DIY can be a good option for smaller or lower-risk projects. If you are planning to do it yourself, it’s worth thinking about the preparation required, the time involved, and whether you have the tools and skills needed to achieve the outcome you want.
Time and effort
Painting always takes longer than you expect. If you want to do it properly, you need to allow time for preparation. The quality of preparation has a larger impact on durability and appearance than the final coat. Painting itself is often the last 10% of the job. And, it is a physically demanding job. Are you fit and comfortable working at heights? Do you have enough time and energy to get a good result?
Tools and equipment
Professional painters bring their full investment in tools, equipment and materials. That equipment is part of what makes the job more efficient, controlled and less physically demanding. The right ladders, planks, masking systems, sanding tools and application equipment help the work move faster and produce a more consistent finish.
If you are painting on your own and don’t already have a well-developed tool kit, you are often working with minimal equipment. That can make the job more labour-intensive, slower and physically harder than people expect. It’s worth thinking about whether you want to invest in building a full setup of tools and materials, or whether hiring a professional might ultimately save time, effort and frustration.
Importance of Space
If the project involves exterior surfaces and long-term durability is important, working with a professional can reduce the risk of failure. Exterior work is exposed to weather, moisture and UV stress, and correct system selection, surface preparation and application technique all matter.
If the project involves spaces you live in every day, professional workmanship can change the entire feel of the room. Painted surfaces are interacted with constantly, and small inconsistencies can become visually distracting over time. So I would ask yourself: How much risk is involved if this DIY project goes badly?
