Should I patch nail holes myself before the crew arrives?

It's usually better to leave surface repairs to the crew — they'll inspect the surface anyway, and a rushed DIY patch sometimes needs to be redone before painting.

Do I need to be home while painters are working?

Not necessarily for the whole job, but being available briefly at the start of a multi-day project to confirm scope with the crew lead is a good idea.

Planning

How to Prepare Your Home Before the Painters Arrive

Q: Where should my pets be while painters are working?

In a closed-off room or elsewhere entirely. Open paint cans and unfamiliar people moving through the house aren't a good combination for most pets.

Q: What should be confirmed in writing before painters start?

Which prep tasks the homeowner is handling versus the crew, the exact scope of rooms and surfaces, and the schedule — all part of a proper written estimate.

By USA Pro Painters TeamPublished September 13, 2026

Furniture covered with drop cloths in a room ready for painters

Preparing your home before painters arrive means clearing walls and shelves, moving or covering furniture, handling pets and parking, and confirming which prep tasks you and the crew each own — all agreed on ahead of time so day one starts with actual painting instead of logistics. A little preparation the night before saves real hours of the crew's first day.

A crew that walks in to find the room already clear starts painting almost immediately. A crew that walks in to find furniture still in place starts moving furniture instead.

Clear Walls and Cover or Move Furniture

Remove art, shelves, and anything hanging on walls being painted. Move small furniture out of the room or to the center, away from walls, and take down curtains or blinds near trim and ceiling lines. These tasks are genuinely safe and helpful for a homeowner to handle ahead of time.

Clear walls of art, shelves, and hanging decor
Move small furniture away from walls or out of the room
Remove curtains and blinds near trim and ceiling lines

Handle Pets, Parking, and Access

Plan where pets will be during the workday — a closed-off room or elsewhere entirely — since open paint cans and unfamiliar people moving through the house aren't a good combination for most animals. Confirm parking availability for the crew and clear a path to work areas, especially for exterior jobs needing ladder access around the property.

Leave Surface Repair to the Crew

Patching nail holes, sanding rough spots, and other surface repairs are better left to the professionals — they'll inspect the surface anyway before priming, and a rushed DIY patch sometimes needs to be redone before painting can proceed. Our full breakdown of what to DIY vs. leave to the crew covers this split in more detail.

Agree on the Details in Advance, in Writing

Confirm which prep tasks you're handling versus the crew, the exact scope of rooms and surfaces, and the schedule for each day of a multi-day job. This should already be part of your written estimate — treat the walkthrough before work starts as a chance to confirm everything lines up.

A Quick Day-of Checklist

Confirm the crew has clear access to the work area and any utilities they need (water, electricity), remove any last-minute items from the room, and be available briefly at the start of the day to walk through scope with the crew lead if it's the first day of a multi-day job.

Questions Answered