You’ve booked your interior painting appointment. Paint colors are chosen. Now what? A lot of homeowners aren’t sure what they’re supposed to do before the painters show up — and that’s completely normal. Some do too much, some do too little, and some accidentally make the job harder than it needs to be.
Here’s the straightforward answer: most of the prep work is handled by your painting contractor. But there are a few things only you can do — and doing them saves time, protects your belongings, and makes the whole experience smoother.
This is what we tell every homeowner before we arrive for an interior painting job in Conyers, McDonough, Snellville, and across Metro Atlanta.
What We Handle — So You Don’t Have To
Before getting into what you need to do, let’s be clear about what a professional painting contractor should already be taking care of:
Surface preparation — filling nail holes, sanding rough areas, applying primer where needed Protecting floors and fixtures — drop cloths, plastic sheeting on anything that stays in the room Cleaning and wiping down surfaces before paint goes on
Moving small items within the room
Caulking gaps around trim and baseboards where needed
Final walkthrough and cleanup after the job is done
If a contractor is asking you to do these things yourself, that’s a red flag. Proper prep is part of the job, not an optional add-on.
That said, here’s what makes a real difference on your end.
What Homeowners Should Do Before the Painters Arrive
1. Clear the Room as Much as Possible
The single most helpful thing you can do is move furniture out of the room being painted — or at minimum, move it to the center of the room away from walls.
We bring drop cloths and will protect whatever stays in the room, but the more open floor space we have, the faster and cleaner the job goes. Cleared rooms also reduce the risk of anything getting
accidentally marked or bumped during the job.
If large furniture is too heavy to move, let us know ahead of time. We’ll work around it. Just don’t leave the room completely untouched and assume we’ll manage — a heads-up helps us plan and bring the right crew size.
Practical tip: Start moving smaller items a day or two before — books, lamps, décor, plants — so the morning of isn’t a scramble.
2. Take Down Wall Items
Remove everything hanging on the walls: artwork, mirrors, clocks, shelving, curtain rods, and any wall-mounted decorations.
We will remove outlet covers and switch plates ourselves — that’s standard practice. But framed items and anything with personal or sentimental value should be taken down by you and stored somewhere safe before we arrive.
Don’t leave nails or hooks in the wall and assume we’ll work around them. If you want a nail in the same spot after painting, mark it lightly with tape so we know where it goes back.
3. Note Any Problem Areas on the Walls
Walk through the room yourself before we arrive and note anything you want us to pay attention to — a crack that’s been there for years, a water stain that was patched before, a spot where the paint has been peeling.
The more specific you are, the better the result. We’ll inspect everything anyway, but if you point out concerns upfront, nothing gets missed and there are no surprises at the end. This is especially relevant if your walls have drywall damage, uneven texture, or areas that have been repaired before. Some of these may need additional prep work that affects the timeline or scope — better to discuss before we start than after.
4. Decide on Colors and Finish Before the Day
Your color choice and paint finish should be confirmed before the painters arrive — not decided the morning of. If you’re unsure between two colors, buy sample pots, paint swatches on the actual wall, and live with them for a day or two in different lighting conditions.
Also confirm the finish type: flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss. Each has its place: Flat/Matte — ceilings, low-traffic rooms, hides imperfections well
Eggshell — living rooms, bedrooms — the most versatile finish
Satin — hallways, kids’ rooms, anywhere that gets wiped down regularly
Semi-gloss — trim, doors, bathrooms, kitchens — durable and moisture-resistant If you’re not sure, ask. We give honest recommendations based on your space and lifestyle — not whatever is easiest to apply.
5. Secure Pets and Make Arrangements for Children
Paint fumes — even with low-VOC products — are not ideal for pets or small children during application. Plan for them to be out of the space being painted for the day.
If you have dogs, cats, or birds especially, make arrangements ahead of time. A pet that wanders into a freshly painted room creates problems for everyone involved.
We use premium low-VOC and zero-VOC paints on all interior jobs, which significantly reduces fume levels — but ventilation and limiting exposure time is still the responsible approach.
6. Ensure ClearAccess and Parking
This one is easy to overlook. Make sure there’s a clear path from your front door (or closest entry point) to the rooms being painted — especially if we’re moving ladders and equipment through the house.
If parking on your street has restrictions or gets crowded, a heads-up about where the crew can park helps avoid delays in the morning. We aim to start on time, every time — a clear arrival helps us do that.
A Note on Drywall and Surface Issues
If your walls have significant damage — large cracks, water damage, holes bigger than a nail, areas where the texture has failed — tell us before booking, not after we arrive.
Drywall repair is a separate service we offer, and it’s often the right step before painting. Painting over damaged drywall doesn’t hide the damage — it highlights it. Proper repair and prep is the only way to get a finish that looks the way it should.
We’ll always tell you straight if a wall needs repair before paint goes on. That’s the honest approach, and it’s how we’ve operated for over 20 years across Conyers and Metro Atlanta.
The Short Version — Your Pre-Painting Checklist Move furniture away from walls or to the center of the room
Take down all wall art, mirrors, and decorations
Note any wall damage or areas of concern
Confirm paint colors and finish type before the day
Make arrangements for pets and children
Clear access through the house and arrange parking
That’s it. Everything else is on us.
Ready for a Hassle-Free Interior Paint Job?
At B. Frank Services, we handle the prep, protect your space, and deliver clean results — every time. If you’re planning an interior painting in Conyers, McDonough, Snellville, or anywhere across Metro Atlanta, get in touch for a free, no-pressure estimate.
Get a free estimate today. Call us: 678-808-9610 Visit us at bfrankservice.com/contact Serving homeowners across Conyers, McDonough, Snellville, Atlanta, Decatur, Lithonia, and surrounding Metro Atlanta communities.
