How Long Does it Take to Paint a Home’s Exterior in Omaha, NE?

While starting a new exterior painting project, especially for the first time, you may be worried about the time commitment and disruptions that come with an exterior painting project. Whether it’s due to unpredictable weather, the complexity of the job, or simply the inconvenience of having painters around, it’s natural to have concerns about the timeline of such a significant project.

While talking with painters or painting companies about your exterior project, you may find that some painters take 1-2 days while others may take 5-7 business days. This confusion and various information may leave you wondering how long it should take and what a good exterior home painting process should include.

At Brush & Roll Painting, we understand these concerns deeply. With nearly 30 years of experience in exterior painting, we know what it takes for a lasting paint job. Our team of skilled professionals is equipped with the knowledge and tools to ensure your painting project is completed efficiently and to the highest standards. We’ve honed our processes to maximize quality, ensuring your home looks its best with minimal disruption to your daily life.

In this article, we will break down the factors that affect the timeline of an exterior painting project. You will learn about the typical timelines involved, the various stages of the project, and what you can do to ensure a smooth and timely completion. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of the differences of a quick exterior painting project vs a detailed project.

Understanding The Scope of Work for Exterior Home Painting

The timeline for an exterior painting project can vary significantly based on several factors. One of the primary factors is the scope of the project. The size of your home, the condition of the existing paint, and the complexity of the architectural details all play crucial roles.

1. Home Size: Larger homes naturally take more time to paint than smaller ones. A single-story house will generally take less time than a multi-story home.
2. Condition of Existing Paint: If the current paint is peeling, cracking, or requires significant preparation work, this will add to the overall timeline. Proper surface preparation is essential for a long-lasting paint job.
3. Architectural Details: Homes with intricate designs, numerous windows, or unique features will require more detailed work, extending the project duration.

Exterior Home Painting Process

To understand the timeline, it’s important to know the different stages involved in an exterior painting project:

1. Initial Consultation and Quote: This stage involves meeting with the painting company, or several, to discuss your needs, assess your home, and receive an estimate. This can take a few days to a week, depending on your availability and the company’s schedule. It may also take time to make your decision, which is perfectly fine. When trusting a painter with a big investment, you want to be sure you're making the best decision for you. Learn more about comparing quotes, to be sure you choose the best painting company for your home.
2. Getting Started: Depending on which painter you hire, it can take 1-5 weeks from agreeing to a quote to getting started physically working on your project. This is due to previous work scheduled for the painting company, weather restrictions, and your personal schedule.
3. Power washing: Power washing your home is a key step for exterior painting. This should be done on the first day of your project to ensure the painters are starting with a clean, fresh foundation. 
4. Taping and Protection: This involves covering windows, doors, and trim with plastic or tape to protect them from paint splatters. It also includes taping off areas that shouldn't be painted or should be another color. This meticulous process ensures clean lines and protects your home’s features.
5. Surface Preparation: Proper preparation is critical and can include caulking, scraping off peeling paint, repairing damaged surfaces, and priming. This stage can take 2-3 days, depending on the condition of your home.
6. Exterior Painting: Once the surfaces are prepared, the actual painting begins. This involves applying one or more coats of paint, depending on the desired finish. Painting can take from 2-3 days, depending on the size and complexity of your home. This timeline can depend on what is being painted and how many colors are being applied.
7. Inspection, Touch-ups, and Clean-Up: After the main painting is done, the painters will inspect the work and perform any necessary touch-ups. This ensures the highest quality finish and can take an additional day. It’s also important that your painters clean up after themselves. At the end of your project, your home should be picture-ready and not messier than when the painters got there.
8. Final Walkthrough: The final step is a walkthrough with you to ensure everything meets your satisfaction. This is dependent on your schedule, so it can be a few days until a time works for you.

Exterior Home Painting Weather Concerns

Weather is a significant factor that can affect the timeline of an exterior painting project. In Omaha, NE, we all know weather can be unpredictable, so this may cause some delays in to starting and finishing your project on time. Rain, extreme heat, or cold can postpone the painting process.

Ideally, exterior painting should be done in mild, dry weather. This allows the paint to dry and cure properly.

If rain is in the forecast, painters may need to pause work until conditions improve. Similarly, extremely hot or cold temperatures can affect paint application and drying times.

Choosing the Right Exterior Home Painting Company

The efficiency and reliability of the painting company you choose play a crucial role in the timeline of your project. A professional and experienced team will have the processes in place to handle any challenges that arise, ensuring the project stays on track.

1. Experience and Expertise: A company with a proven track record will likely complete the project more efficiently and do the necessary prep work. They have encountered various scenarios and know how to handle them.
2. Team Size and Resources: A well-staffed company can complete larger projects more quickly. Ensure the company has adequate resources to handle your specific needs.
3. Reputation and Reviews: Check reviews and testimonials from previous clients. A company with positive feedback is more likely to deliver on time.

Exterior Painting Quality vs. Speed

Some painters might complete an exterior painting project in a week, while others might finish in just 1-2 days by spraying the house quickly. While the latter approach might seem appealing due to its lower cost and quickness, it often comes with significant drawbacks.

1. Quality of Work: Quick spray jobs might not involve the detailed preparation and careful application required for a long-lasting finish. This can lead to peeling, cracking, or fading paint much sooner than expected.
2. Surface Preparation: Quality exterior painting involves thorough preparation, including cleaning, scraping, repairing, and priming surfaces. Skipping or rushing these steps can compromise the durability of the paint job.
3. Protection and Taping: Properly taping and covering areas that shouldn’t be painted is essential for a clean finish. Rushed jobs may neglect this, leading to sloppy edges and paint splatters.

Exterior Painting Cost Considerations

While a quick paint job may cost less upfront, the long-term costs can be higher due to the need for more frequent repaints or repairs. Investing in a detailed and thorough painting process ensures that your home’s exterior remains beautiful and protected for years to come.

1. Detailed Prep Work: Investing in a painter who takes the time to do detailed prep work pays off in the longevity and appearance of the paint job.
2. Higher Quality Paints: Professional painters use high-quality paints that are designed to withstand the elements and provide a lasting finish. Many painting companies likely offer warranties for high-quality paints, so you don’t have to do the touch-ups every year on your own and your home can stay looking flawless for as long as possible.
3. Long-term Savings: A well-done exterior paint job can last 10-15 years or more, whereas a quick spray job might need to be redone in 3-5 years. 

Preparing Your Home for Painting

Preparation from the homeowner’s side can also impact the timeline. Here are some steps you can take to help the project go smoothly:

1. Clear the Area: Remove any outdoor furniture, decorations, or obstacles around your home’s exterior.
2. Trim Landscaping: Ensure bushes, trees, and other plants are trimmed back from the house to give painters easy access.
3. Communicate with Neighbors: Let your neighbors know about the project in advance. This helps to avoid any inconvenience and keeps everyone informed.

Timeline of Your Home Exterior Painting Project

It can be confusing hiring a painter and hearing different project timelines and schedules. Every painter is different, but your home deserves the proper preparation and paint that will provide a lasting finish.

Remember, the key to a successful and timely exterior painting project lies in choosing the right team that will ensure the right steps are taken for lasting paint. 

At Brush & Roll Painting, we’re here to guide you every step of your exterior painting project in Omaha, NE, ensuring your home looks beautiful with minimal disruption to your daily life. Click the button below to get a quote from us and begin the process of your exterior painting project.

We know an exterior painting project is an investment in both your time and money, so it’s important that you are confident throughout the entire process to ensure you don’t make any costly mistakes. 

Next, download your exterior painting project checklist to mark off each decision and step that comes with your project, so you are one step closer to the paint transformation you deserve.