Painting a new build

Live at Three

Hi
Would anyone recommend painting as much interior as possible themselves to save on the huge cost of painting a new build? Don't have much large scale painting experience but would be willing to do as much undercoat as possible and leave the final stuff to the professionals.

Any practical advice? Is it very time consuming? How soon can it be done before we move in? Can you live in a house with unpainted walls and work away (young kids, paint fumes etc). I live very close to the site and I can work on my days off.

kerry bhoy

Would recommend doing it all if possible, could save you a few grand or so.
Did my own build about 2 months ago and took me a week to finish it, walls and ceilings only. I have some experience but it is something you do yourself. Spend money on a few decent brushes use a 12" roller , use a rolling bucket not a tray, and get top of the range paint, it will make it so much easier and faster.

vicwatson

Live at Three wrote: »

Hi
Would anyone recommend painting as much interior as possible themselves to save on the huge cost of painting a new build? YES, DO IT ALL YOURSELF AS ITS NOT DIFFICULT) Don't have much large scale painting experience but would be willing to do as much undercoat as possible and leave the final stuff to the professionals. LOADS OF YOU TUBE VIDEOS, YOU'LL BE GRAND.

Any practical advice? WHAT SPECIFICALLY AND ILL HELP YOU AS MUCH AS I CAN AS AN AMATEUR WITH TONNES OF EXPERIENCE Is it very time consuming? NO How soon can it be done before we move in? EMULSIONS ARE WATER BASED SO VIRTUALLY HAVE NO FUMES AND DRY PRETTY QUICKLY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, PAINT ON THE OTHER HAND CAN BE STINKY AND WILL TAKE A LOT MORE CARE, PERHAPS YOU DO THE EMULSIONS AND LET THE PROS DO THE "PAINT" I.E. GLOSS Can you live in a house with unpainted walls and work away (young kids, paint fumes etc). I live very close to the site and I can work on my days off. AS ABOVE EMULSIONS HAVE VERY LOW VOCS(VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS) AND ARE NO PROBLEMS, THE PAINT IE GLOSS WILL HAVE A STRONGER SMELL BUT ARE STILL SAFE NOWADAYS - NO LEAD IN PAINT ANYMORE

Sorry for format above but just easier to reply that way

Live at Three

Thanks a lot! It's not for a while yet but I'll be back on when it's happening, will probably have a few more questions.

Sleeper12

Live at Three wrote:

Thanks a lot! It's not for a while yet but I'll be back on when it's happening, will probably have a few more questions.

Only you will know the timescale of things but as painting the inside is one of the last things to be done in a new build would you be delaying the finishing of the project or the move in date?

Can't speak for painters but most tradesmen don't like finishing someone else's work. It's probably not the case here but thought it worth mentioning.

As for paint smells oil based paint is not something you'd want your kids sleeping near but nothing wrong with moving kid's out of a room for a few days till fumes are gone.

Live at Three

Sleeper12 wrote: »

Only you will know the timescale of things but as painting the inside is one of the last things to be done in a new build would you be delaying the finishing of the project or the move in date?

Can't speak for painters but most tradesmen don't like finishing someone else's work. It's probably not the case here but thought it worth mentioning.

As for paint smells oil based paint is not something you'd want your kids sleeping near but nothing wrong with moving kid's out of a room for a few days till fumes are gone.

The question here is how long after the plastering is done can I start painting. I did google this but my brain melted after reading tonnes of answers - anything from 2 weeks to 4 months (will do more reading on this). I can work before and after the move in date.

I would avoid delaying the move in date at all costs but would go for your suggestion of moving to different bedrooms while work is being done.

Sleeper12

Live at Three wrote:

The question here is how long after the plastering is done can I start painting. I did google this but my brain melted after reading tonnes of answers - anything from 2 weeks to 4 months (will do more reading on this). I can work before and after the move in date.

You'll know by looking at the plaster when it is dry depending on humidity, heat etc but anything from a few days to weeks. I'd guess a week though

kerry bhoy

Open up all windows and doors and get a nice flow of air running through the house. It should be ready for painting in 2 - 3 weeks, you will be able to tell by looking at it anyway.

I painted my build before 2nd fixes and tiling were done. I found it much easier and quicker because there is very little cutting in and also no need for drop cloths. I will touch up painting as needed a few days before we move in.

kerry bhoy

Painting woodwork is something you can do after you move in.
If your worried about fumes from paint then use a water based satin wood. It's much easier to work with also.

Juwwi

It is possible and some good advice already given for doing it yourself.

Personally l don't see the point in trying to save a few thousand on the finishing part of the whole job when you are probably spending over 100 thousand on the building of it .

If budget is running low its definitely something you can do yourself .

FishOnABike

One thing to consider is that it is far easier to paint a new build before moving in. You have a clean sweep as there's no furniture to be covered or moved around.

Moving furniture and personal belongings around after moving in to paint can take as long as the painting itself.