office painting adelaide having your Adelaide home professionally painted can make a noticeable difference to the appearance of your property, but good preparation does not start when the painter arrives. A little organisation beforehand can make the work area safer, reduce interruptions and give your painter better access to the surfaces that need attention.

Preparing a home for painting does not mean you need to sand walls or start repairing every crack yourself. In most cases, the painter should assess and prepare the surfaces as part of the agreed work. Your role is mainly to clear the space, protect valuable belongings, identify anything that needs special attention and make sure the painters can work efficiently.

If you are preparing for house painting in Adelaide, this guide explains what to do before the first drop cloth is laid, including practical considerations for interiors, exteriors and older South Australian homes.

Start by Confirming What the Painters Are Doing

Before moving furniture or removing fittings, review the scope of work with your painter.

A painting quote may cover only certain rooms, walls, ceilings, doors or exterior surfaces. Preparation requirements can also vary depending on the condition of the existing paint.

Ask your painter to clarify:

  • Which rooms and surfaces will be painted
  • Whether ceilings, doors and trims are included
  • Whether minor filling and sanding are included
  • Who will move furniture
  • Whether exterior preparation is included
  • Whether damaged surfaces require additional work
  • Which areas need to remain accessible
  • How many coats are planned
  • What you need to remove before work begins

This is particularly useful if you are repainting several rooms. Moving everything unnecessarily can create extra work for you, while leaving furniture in an area that needs to be painted can slow the project down.

Clear Furniture and Personal Belongings

For interior painting, give painters as much clear access to the walls as reasonably possible.

Small furniture, ornaments, pictures, lamps and other loose items should ideally be removed from the room. Larger furniture can often be moved towards the centre of the room and covered, depending on the painter’s requirements.

Do not simply assume that everything will be moved by the painting company. Some painters include basic furniture movement, while others expect the homeowner to prepare the room.

Protect Fragile and Valuable Items

Paint preparation can involve sanding, scraping, filling and cleaning. Even with appropriate protection, it is sensible to remove valuable or fragile items from the work area.

Consider temporarily storing:

  • Artwork
  • Mirrors
  • Collectibles
  • Electronics
  • Decorative objects
  • Indoor plants
  • Delicate furniture

If something is particularly valuable or difficult to replace, move it to another part of the house rather than relying solely on protective coverings.

Remove Wall Decorations Where Possible

Take down photographs, artwork, clocks, shelves and other removable wall decorations before the painters arrive.

If you leave these items for the painter, clarify who is responsible for removing and replacing them. Small fixtures can also affect how completely a wall is painted.

Keep screws, hooks and wall fittings together in a labelled container. This makes it much easier to put everything back in the correct location once the work is finished.

Do not automatically remove fixed electrical fittings, ceiling fans or light fittings yourself. Electrical work should be handled appropriately by a qualified person where required.

Give the Painter Access to the Walls and Ceilings

Painters need room to use ladders, rollers and other equipment.

Check that:

  • Furniture is moved away from walls
  • Curtains and blinds are removed if necessary
  • Floor areas are accessible
  • Cupboards or built-in storage are cleared where required
  • Doors can be opened and closed properly
  • The painter can reach the full height of the wall

If you have high ceilings, stairwells or difficult architectural areas, mention them before the job starts. These areas may require additional equipment or preparation.

Decide What Happens With Curtains and Blinds

Curtains, blinds and shutters can make painting around windows difficult.

If possible, remove curtains and store them away from the work area. Blinds may also need to be removed depending on their design and how close they sit to the wall.

Ask your painter before taking down permanently installed window coverings. Some systems can be left in position and protected, while others may need to be removed for proper access.

Make the Floors Easy to Protect

Professional painters generally use drop sheets or other protective materials, but clearing the floor makes protection easier.

Remove rugs, toys, shoes, boxes and other loose items from the room.

If you have carpet, timber flooring, tiles or polished concrete, tell the painter about any areas that require particular care.

The goal is not simply to prevent paint splashes. Preparation work can also create dust and debris, so keeping unnecessary belongings away from the work area makes final clean-up easier.

Prepare Your Kitchen, Bathroom and Other High-Use Areas

Painting a kitchen or bathroom requires slightly more planning because these rooms often need to remain functional.

Remove countertop appliances, toiletries and loose items from areas being painted.

If cupboards, splashbacks or tiled surfaces meet the walls, tell the painter about any areas you do not want painted.

For bathrooms, discuss ventilation and access before work begins. Paint manufacturers provide specific application and drying requirements for individual products, so the painter should select products and application methods appropriate for the surface and environment.

Prepare the Exterior of Your Adelaide Home

Exterior painting requires a different type of preparation.

Move outdoor furniture, pots, decorations and garden equipment away from the walls. Trim or relocate plants only where necessary and appropriate.

Clear access around:

  • Exterior walls
  • Windows
  • Doors
  • Garages
  • Eaves
  • Fences
  • Sheds
  • Other surfaces included in the quote

Do not undertake major pruning, pressure cleaning or surface repairs immediately before the painter arrives unless you have discussed it with them. Exterior preparation needs to be coordinated with the painting system being used.

Dulux, for example, specifies that surfaces should be properly prepared and free from contaminants before painting, with preparation requirements varying according to the substrate and coating system.

Think About Adelaide’s Weather

Adelaide’s weather can affect exterior painting schedules. Outdoor painting requires suitable conditions for surface preparation, application and drying.

Your painter may need to adjust the schedule because of rain, excessive heat, wind or other conditions that could affect the coating.

Dulux describes its exterior Weathershield range as being designed for Australia’s harsh weather conditions, but individual products still have specific application requirements.

As a homeowner, the practical step is simple: keep the exterior work area accessible and remain flexible if the painter needs to change the schedule because conditions are unsuitable.

Check Older Homes for Potential Lead Paint

This is particularly important when preparing older Adelaide homes.

SA Health advises that homes built before the mid-1970s, particularly those built before 1940, are more likely to contain lead-based paint. However, the age of the building alone cannot confirm whether lead paint is present.

If you have an older property, tell your painter about its age before preparation begins.

Lead-based paint becomes a particular concern when old coatings are disturbed through sanding, scraping or other renovation activities. SA Health recommends using contractors experienced in lead-aware renovation and using methods designed to minimise dust where lead paint is suspected or confirmed.

Do not start sanding old paint yourself simply to save time. Discuss the surface with the painter first.

Make Arrangements for Children and Pets

Painting can temporarily make rooms unsuitable for normal use.

Before work starts, decide where children and pets will stay while the painters are working. Keep pets away from ladders, tools, wet paint and preparation materials.

This is especially important when old paint is being disturbed. SA Health recommends keeping children, pregnant people and pets away from areas where lead-based paint is being removed until the work and clean-up are complete.

For a normal repaint without lead-related concerns, your painter can explain which rooms should remain off-limits during application and drying.

Protect Items You Cannot Move

Some items cannot simply be removed.

Built-in wardrobes, kitchen cabinetry, large appliances and fixed fittings may need to remain in place. Tell the painter about them before the project starts so they can determine how best to protect them.

Do not rely on household sheets or towels as your only protection. Professional painters normally use suitable drop sheets, masking materials and other protective equipment appropriate to the job.

Keep a Clear Path for the Painters

Think about how painters will enter and leave the property.

Clear access from the front door to the work area. If exterior painting is being completed, make sure gates can be opened and that the painter knows about any access restrictions.

If the painter needs to use ladders, scaffolding or other equipment, discuss where these items can be positioned.

If you live in a townhouse, unit or property with shared access, confirm any access requirements with the relevant property manager, body corporate or neighbours before the work begins.

What You Should Not Do Before Painters Arrive

Preparing the home does not mean completing the painter’s job for them.

Avoid:

  • Filling large cracks without discussing them
  • Sanding old paint without knowing what it contains
  • Pressure cleaning delicate surfaces unnecessarily
  • Applying primer without confirming the coating system
  • Removing electrical fittings yourself
  • Painting over mould without addressing the underlying issue
  • Making last-minute colour changes without telling the painter
  • Moving heavy furniture without adequate help

Surface preparation is one of the areas where professional judgement matters. The correct approach depends on the existing coating, substrate and condition.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving furniture against the walls

Even if painters can move it, restricted access can make the job slower and more difficult.

Forgetting small wall decorations

Picture hooks, shelves and mirrors can be easily overlooked until the painter needs to work behind them.

Not mentioning previous paint problems

Tell your painter about peeling, bubbling, water stains, mould, cracking or previous repairs before work begins.

Ignoring older paint

Older Adelaide homes can require additional precautions if lead-based paint is suspected.

Booking exterior painting without considering weather

An exterior project may need flexibility around weather conditions. Let the painter manage the application schedule according to the product requirements.

Assuming preparation is automatically included

Read the quote carefully. Filling, extensive sanding, mould treatment, timber repairs and other preparation work may be treated differently from standard painting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I move all my furniture before painters arrive?

Move small and fragile items yourself. Larger furniture can often be moved away from walls or covered, but confirm the arrangement with your painter before the job starts.

Do painters remove pictures from walls?

Some painters may do this as part of their preparation, while others expect the homeowner to remove them. Clarify this before the project begins.

Should I clean the walls before painting?

Basic cleaning can help, but extensive surface preparation should normally be discussed with the painter. The appropriate cleaning method depends on the existing surface and coating.

Should I remove curtains before house painting?

Usually, removing curtains provides better access around windows, but the requirement depends on the window treatment and the area being painted. Ask your painter before taking down fixed systems.

What should I do if my Adelaide home was built decades ago?

Tell your painter the approximate age of the property. If lead-based paint may be present, appropriate precautions should be taken before disturbing old coatings. SA Health recommends lead-aware practices for older painted surfaces.

Can I stay in the house while it is being painted?

That depends on the rooms being painted, the products used and the preparation involved. Your painter should explain which areas need to remain vacant and when they can safely be used again.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your Adelaide home before painters arrive is mostly about making the work area accessible, protecting your belongings and communicating clearly with the painting contractor.

Move loose furniture and valuables, remove wall decorations, clear exterior access and identify any existing surface problems before work starts. If you own an older South Australian home, discuss the possibility of lead-based paint before sanding or removing old coatings.

Most importantly, do not assume that every preparation task is included in a painting quote. Confirm what your painter will handle and what you need to do yourself.

A short preparation checklist and a clear conversation with your painter can make the project more organised from day one. If you are planning to repaint your Adelaide home, arrange an inspection and discuss the preparation required before requesting a final quote.