“How long will this take?” is the first question I get. It’s a fair one. You have people in your yard, and you want to know when it’s over.
The honest answer is that it depends on size, weather and prep. A small single-story home and a large two-story home are very different jobs. So are a clean wall and a wall that needs a lot of repair.
What I can do is walk you through the usual order of work. Below is a general example for a typical exterior repaint. It’s not a guarantee. Your schedule will depend on your home.
What changes the timeline
Four things move the schedule the most:
- Size and height. More wall, more stories and more trim mean more time.
- Prep needs. Peeling paint, bare wood, caulk and repairs take longer than a clean surface.
- Weather. Paint needs the right conditions to go on and dry well. Rain, heavy dew, wind and extreme heat can all slow things down.
- Details. Lots of windows, shutters, railings, or detailed trim add time.
San Diego weather helps, but it isn’t perfect. Morning marine layer can leave surfaces damp, and we often wait for walls to dry before painting. Coastal homes also get salt on the surface, which is one more reason cleaning matters.
A general example, day by day
Think of these as phases more than exact days. Some take part of a day. Some take several.
Day 1: Walkthrough and color
We walk the house together. We look at the surfaces, talk about what needs repair, and confirm your colors and finish. If you’re still deciding, this is the time to look at samples on the wall in your own light.
Early days: Protect and prep
Before any paint, we cover what shouldn’t get painted. That means plants, windows, fixtures, walkways and anything else near the walls. Then we prep. That usually includes pressure washing, scraping loose paint, sanding rough spots, and caulking gaps. Prep is the least exciting part and the most important.
Mid-job: Repairs and prime
We patch cracks and holes. If we find rotted wood, it needs a carpenter or siding contractor, and we can coordinate the paint afterward. Bare wood and repaired spots get primer so the finish coat sticks and looks even.
Painting days: Paint coats
Now the house starts to change. Most repaints get a primer where needed and then finish coats. Each coat needs time to dry before the next one goes on, and that depends on the product and the weather. A sunny dry day moves faster than a cool, damp one.
Last day: Final walkthrough
When the painting is done, we walk the house with you. We look for missed spots, touch-ups and anything you want adjusted. We pull the protection and clean up.
What you can do to help
- Move cars, patio furniture and planters away from the walls.
- Trim back bushes that touch the house.
- Tell us about pets and gates.
- Keep sprinklers off. Wet walls can’t be painted.
Wet paint, dry paint, and cured paint
Paint dries to the touch before it’s fully cured. Cure time is longer. In the first days, be gentle with the surface. Don’t lean ladders on fresh paint, and don’t hang or tape things on it until it has had time to harden.
If your house was built before 1978, the old paint may contain lead. Ask any painter how they handle lead-safe work before they scrape or sand.
When to call
Want to know how long your own project might take? Call me at (858) 333-2396 for a free estimate, or use the contact page. I’ll look at the house, explain the steps, and give you a realistic idea of timing. See our exterior painting and interior painting pages for more about our work.
FAQ
Can you paint in the rain?
No. Exterior paint needs dry surfaces and the right conditions to dry well. Rain, heavy dew and damp walls can ruin the finish. If the weather turns, work pauses until surfaces dry. That can stretch the schedule, which is why we say timing depends on weather, size and prep.
How long before I can touch or clean the walls?
Paint feels dry to the touch fairly soon, but it takes longer to cure fully. The time depends on the product and the weather. In the early days, be gentle. Don’t scrub, lean ladders on the walls, or hang things on them. Ask your painter for care instructions for the paint used.
Do I need to be home during the repaint?
Not the whole time. You should be there for the first walkthrough and the final one. In between, we may need access to gates, outlets or water. We’ll talk through what we need before work starts, so you can plan around it and carry on with your week.