Economy Painting

Often, the most expensive item connected to a painting job is the paint. Premium paints can run $100 a gallon; but substitute budget paint and your project will take longer and end up costing you more than you save. Still, there are ways and means to save money on a painting job. Read on for some valuable interior painting tips:

Thinking of selling your house? You'll want to spruce things up to get a better price; but think about using one of the lower quality paints in a neutral color with a flat finish. A new homeowner often prefers to repaint a house a different color in any case so why spend the earth making it look good for the market? Consider this type of job a temporary one that doesn't require premium paint.

Think about how much wear and tear will be exerted on the space you intend to paint. Higher grades of paint can be washed with heavy-duty cleaners; an important concern if you have toddlers who go hog-wild with magic-markers. But if the space will be occupied by sedate adults, maybe you don't need such a durable, washable paint and can get away with a less expensive brand.

Printable Coupons

Watch for coupons and paint sales. The better, fancier brands such as Benjamin Moore and Duron may be discounted from time to time and you may be able to find printable coupons online.

If you're buying paint for the entire house, don't hesitate to ask for a discount. Most stores will knock down the price a bit if they know you're buying a large quantity of paint. Smaller stores may also take a personal interest in your story, so bite the bullet and say something if the reason for the paint job is that you're attempting to sell in an effort to avoid foreclosure. Store owners have an interest in maintaining their reputations as being fair and kind to their customers.

Discounted Rates?

If you've hired a contractor to do the job, check if he can get paint at a discounted rate. Often contractors do have special relationships with paint stores and can get discounts in exchange for the exclusive use of that store's paints.

Factor in time investment and labor. Higher quality paints often mean fewer coats of paint and a shorter amount of time to completion of the job.

If you're just doing a small job, don't invest in expensive equipment like brushes and rollers. A two-inch sash brush is perfect for those places a roller can't reach since its angled bristles can get right into corners and seams. Don't shoot for better than a brush with synthetic, flagged (split ends) bristles and a wooden handle.

Drop Cloths

Don't spend money on expensive canvas drop cloths. Use old shower curtains or sheets, instead. They work just as well.

Consider how much paint you'll need. If you don't need an entire gallon of paint, don't pay for one. It's better to buy two quarts instead, which is still cheaper than buying that gallon.