Should I stay or should I go…. you gotta let me know…. Should you temporarily move out of your home while it’s being painted? A J Cochrane and Sons can complete a professional house painting for your family whether you choose to stay or go; however, being prepared is the key to a seamless and low-stress renovation. Interior painting can dramatically improve the look and feel of your home. However, the process can be disruptive. So…. “Should I move out of my house temporarily while the interior is being painted?”
Advice from our expert, Stephen: We have done residential interior painting for families who choose to move out and those who choose to stay. In my experience, if moving out for a few days is possible, it is the best choice. It’s not just the inconvenience of having workers and drop sheets and messes to contend with; it’s other issues like dust and odour. These can be quite problematic, especially if you have a family member with asthma.
Temporary Relocation During Interior Painting – Yes or No?
The answer depends on several factors. Consider the scale of the project. Painting a single room is very different from painting the entire house. A smaller project allows you to easily isolate the area and minimize inconvenience. Painting an entire house makes living at home significantly more challenging.
The type of paint being used is also important. Modern low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints have greatly reduced odours and fumes compared to older paints. However, some people are still sensitive, especially children, pregnant women, and individuals with respiratory conditions. If strong odours are a concern, temporary relocation might be advisable.
Your tolerance for disruption is another key factor. Painting involves covering furniture, taping off areas, and the presence of painters working in your space. If you value peace and quiet and find it difficult to work or relax with these activities happening around you, moving out could be the best option.
Cost is also something to consider. Temporary accommodation will add to the overall expense of your project. Weigh the cost of relocation against the potential discomfort and inconvenience of staying in your home during painting.
Finally, consider the efficiency and professionalism of your painting contractor. A well-organized and experienced team can minimize disruption by working quickly and tidily. Clear communication and a well-defined schedule can also help you plan accordingly.
Stages of Interior Painting and What You Should Consider
One – Preparation Time
Your family home may need a lot of repairs during preparation for the interior painting can begin. This could take time and be a big disruption. Preparation is everything! We want to do everything possible to achieve the perfect finish. We provide you with an estimation so you can plan but, sometimes, this can take longer than we all expect. If you’re living in one of those lovely old Perth beauties, we may find layers of problems created by previous owners. An “odd divit” in the drywall, once investigated could be the result of some shoddy repair work that needs correcting. We try very hard not to disrupt your family’s routine but some disruption is unavoidable. If you’re comfortable with a little inconvenience, you can save the money and stay home. Most clients consider alternative accommodation if they work from home or have young children (there’s nothing worse than someone waking a baby you JUST got to sleep!).
Two – Sanding and Paint Removal
If a lot of paint removal is required, this can generate dust. Even if we’re not removing decades of bad paintwork, there’ll be dust. As experienced professionals, we strive to keep the dust to a minimum and always clean up after ourselves; however, we recommend families with little children, or with respiratory issues consider moving out during the sanding period.
Three – Disruption to Your Family Routine
Complete interior painting includes emptying every room in the house, moving furniture to the centre, and laying drop cloths on the floor. What a kerfuffle! While we try to make sure that bedrooms stay habitable, depending on your property, it may not be possible. We do our best to manage the paint job for minimal disruption, including planning room-by-room painting schedules, but this can mean a longer interior paint job overall. Remember, every room needs at least two coats, and even though we use premium Dulux paints, some families prefer not to sleep in a freshly painted room.
Four – Ventilation and Environment
Low odour paint still needs proper ventilation to dry. Ventilation means no air conditioning, no heating, it means windows and doors wide open to the environment. It can mean big noisy fans too! In colder months, or very hot months, families may choose to move out during an interior paint job to avoid exposure to Perth’s crazy environment.
Five – Number of Coats Required for The Professional Finish
The type of paint you choose and how many coats that paint requires can add time to the interior painting. The time of the year and drying time can also affect when the rooms are safer to be excluded from use. Most families who choose to stay at home during the paint job will nominate a room in the house to “live in” during the process. We may suggest painting that particular living space first, or last depending on the schedule and logistics. There is every chance that you and your children will share a single space for a minimum of two weeks. Families without a suitable space may choose to move out during the process.
Six – Odour and Paint Choices
Your choice of paint for your interior painting has an impact. Will you be choosing odourless paint? Have your heart set on a high gloss paint? Your choice affects the environment in your home. While A J Cochrane aims to use the highest quality Dulux paints that minimise odours, even the faintest smell can affect some family members. Those particularly sensitive to smells could experience headaches during the painting period, regardless of the choice of paint. If in doubt, move them out.
There is a compromise. Some families choose to book their interior painting job during school holidays and then ship their children off to Grandma. Mum and dad can continue going to work and living in a nominated space. Our boys clean up every night and keep our gear out of your way. It’s still a disruption but it can save you money on accommodation and the inconvenience of temporarily moving your whole life to a hotel room. And of course, if it’s an option, you can always take this time to go on a family holiday somewhere nice, while we manage the whole project for you. You simply return to a beautiful living space!
