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Of all the home improvement projects that a person can consider, painting a room probably ranks near the top of those that the average person feels that he or she can do pretty well. After all, it's basically a matter of cleaning the walls, covering up the furniture, and painting. It's not complicated, and it's not physically taxing for most people (as long as the people aren't trying to do too many rooms in a single day).

But appearances can be deceiving. Many people discover that painting is more arduous than they expected and that their work isn't as good as they'd expected. Anyone can paint a room, but not everyone can paint it well. And that's why hiring a professional makes sense in many situations.

Here's what a pro can do that you (perhaps) can't.

1. Pick the right paint. I'm not talking about color. I'm talking about latex vs. water-based. And flat vs. semi-gloss vs. high-gloss. And a "name" brand vs. a generic brand. It's not as easy as it seems. Professionals know when it makes sense to spend extra for better paint, such as in a high-traffic area, and when it's not necessary.

2. Pick the right brushes and other equipment. Do you know which types of surfaces are appropriate for brushes, and which are appopriate for rollers or spray guns? I didn't think so. The painting pro has the experience, and he or she will pick the right brush for the right surface and paint. Just like with paint, there are immense differences between types of brushes, rollers, etc. Sometimes, it's worth paying for quality, and sometimes it's not. Let the pro be the judge.

3. Preparing the walls. This is where amateurs make their biggest mistakes. Painters know that the most important part of the job is preparing the walls. It's kind of like a concert or a sporting event - the hardest work is done before the event. A painter will fix the flaws in the wall, fill in the cracks, and clean the surfaces so that paint will stick well. Amateurs often forget to even clean the walls, and when they do remember to clean, they they slap paint on the walls while they're wet. Or they think that paint can cover a bunch of old nail holes, but then they finish the job, and they've got new walls, except for 50 nail holes all over the place.

4. Moving furniture and protecting the floor. There's nothing worse than ruining a piece of furniture or a carpet by splattering paint on it. Professional painters come prepared with drop cloths, and they cover surfaces properly. They know that they are responsible if they ruin something, and so they make sure that they won't.

5. Time. Professional painters can do the job much more quickly than the average homeowner. Much more quickly - like at least twice as quickly. As described above, they have the right equipment, and they know how to prepare a room. They'll get the job done, and let you get back to enjoying your home. Quite simply, your time is worth your money.

Learn more about this author, B. B. James.
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