Frequently Asked question
Find honest answers to the questions York County homeowners ask most about interior and exterior painting: costs, timelines, lead paint, surface prep, paint brands, and what to expect from Putnam Coastal Painting.
(207) 890-7305
GIVE US A CALL
How much does it cost to paint a house interior in Maine?
A full interior repaint of a 3-bedroom home in York County typically runs $3,500 to $6,500. A single room runsn$350 to $700 for walls only, or $550 to $1,000 including ceiling and trim. Larger homes or projects withnsignificant prep work, trim complexity, or multiple colors run $6,000 to $10,000 or more.
How much does exterior painting cost in Maine?
A small cape or ranch runs $2,500 to $4,500. A standard colonial runs $4,500 to $8,000. Larger homes runn$7,500 to $12,000 or more. Coastal properties requiring specialty products and extensive prep may runnhigher. We provide free written itemized estimates so you know every cost before we start.
How long does exterior paint last in Maine?
Inland properties with quality prep and premium products last 8 to 12 years. Near-coastal properties within 5nmiles of the shore last 6 to 9 years with coastal-rated products. Oceanfront and first-row coastal propertiesnlike Wells Beach or Cape Elizabeth Shore Road realistically last 3 to 6 years even with top-rated coastalnformulas due to salt spray, UV, and freeze-thaw cycling.
What is the best exterior paint for coastal Maine homes?
We specify Sherwin Williams Duration, Sherwin Williams Emerald Rain Refresh, and Benjamin Moore AuranExterior for coastal properties. All three are formulated for high-moisture, high-UV, salt-air environments.nDuration carries a lifetime limited warranty from Sherwin Williams. Standard exterior latex underperformsnsignificantly on coastal Maine homes and we do not use it for those applications.
How do I know if my home has lead paint?
If your home was built before 1978, it may contain lead-based paint. The only way to confirm is laboratoryntesting u2014 a certified inspector takes a small sample and sends it to an accredited lab. Results return in 3 to 5nbusiness days. We recommend testing on all pre-1978 homes before any scraping, sanding, or pressurenwashing disturbs existing paint.
Is it safe to paint a house with lead paint?
Yes, when proper lead safe work practices are followed. We use contained work zones, HEPA vacuumncleanup, Festool dust-free sanding equipment, proper PPE, and safe disposal per Maine DEP guidelines onnevery pre-1978 home. Disturbing lead paint without containment creates hazardous airborne dust that isndangerous for children and pregnant women.
What is the best time of year to paint the exterior of a house in Maine?
Late April through October is the viable exterior painting season in Maine. Most premium exterior paintsnrequire consistent temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and dry conditions to cure properly. We do notnapply paint in conditions that compromise the finish. We plan projects carefully around Maine weather andncommunicate schedule adjustments immediately.
How many coats of paint do you apply?
We apply two full coats on every surface included in the estimate. For surfaces with significant color changes,nstains, or bare wood we may apply a primer coat before the finish coats. Single-coat applications are notnstandard practice for us regardless of the product's self-described coverage.
Do I need to prime before painting?
Priming is required on bare wood, repaired areas, stained surfaces, and substrate transitions. It is the singlenmost skipped step in the industry and the primary cause of premature paint failure. We include spot primingnas part of standard prep and specify full-surface primer where surface conditions require it.
What is the difference between eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss paint?
Sheen level affects both the appearance and durability of the finish. Flat is used on ceilings and low-trafficnwalls where hiding imperfections is the priority. Eggshell has a very slight sheen and is ideal for living roomsnand bedrooms. Satin is more durable with a soft sheen, best for hallways, kids rooms, and higher-trafficnareas. Semi-gloss is hardest and most washable, used on trim, doors, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Should I paint my house before selling it?
Yes, in almost every case. A fresh exterior paint job is one of the highest-return pre-sale improvementsnavailable to York County homeowners. Real estate agents consistently identify peeling or dated exterior paintnas a buyer objection that directly reduces offer prices. Interior repaints in neutral colors help buyers visualizenthe space. The cost of painting is almost always recovered in sale price.
How long does interior paint take to dry?
Most premium interior latex paints are dry to touch within 1 to 2 hours and ready for a second coat within 4nhours. Full cure u2014 meaning the paint reaches its maximum hardness and washability u2014 takes 2 to 4 weeksndepending on temperature, humidity, and the specific product. We typically wait the full recommended recoatntime before applying the second coat.
Can you paint over wallpaper?
We do not recommend painting over wallpaper and we do not do it. Painting over wallpaper traps moisture,ncauses the seams to bubble over time, and creates a result that looks poor within a few months. Wallpapernshould be removed before painting. We can assess the wall condition after removal and determine whethernskim coating is needed before paint goes on.
How do you protect my floors and furniture?
We move furniture that needs to move and cover everything in place with clean drop cloths. Floors receivenrosin paper on hardwood and tile surfaces, and drop cloths on carpet, all taped down before the first brushnstroke. All protection is in place before any paint is opened. We clean up fully at the end of every workday.
What causes paint to peel on a house exterior?
Peeling is almost always caused by moisture, not poor paint quality. The most common causes are moisturentrapped in the wall assembly pushing through from inside, failed caulking allowing water behind the paint film,ninadequate surface prep leaving loose paint under the new coat, bare wood that was not primed beforenpainting, and salt residue on coastal surfaces that prevents adhesion. Correct prep addresses all of thesenbefore paint goes on.
Do you paint ceilings?
Yes. Ceiling painting is included in interior projects when specified in the estimate. We use flat ceiling paintnappropriate for each space. Ceilings add 25 to 40% to the time and material cost of a room compared to wallsnonly, and this is itemized separately in your written estimate.
What is skim coating and do I need it?
Skim coating is the application of a thin uniform layer of joint compound across an entire wall or ceilingnsurface to create a flat, even plane before painting. You need it when the surface has widespread texture,ncracking, or damage from wallpaper removal that patching alone cannot address. We assess this during yournfree estimate and tell you honestly whether skim coat is warranted or whether standard patching will do thenjob.
Do you do cabinet painting or just wall painting?
We do both, and cabinet refinishing is a specialty of our co-owner Meghan Martinez. We use SherwinnWilliams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel and Benjamin Moore Advance u2014 both waterborne alkyd formulasnengineered for cabinet-level durability that handles heat, steam, grease, and daily cleaning without chipping ornyellowing. Standard wall paint on cabinets fails within a year. Our products do not.
Can you paint vinyl siding?
Yes. Vinyl siding can be painted with 100% acrylic latex paint in a color that is the same as or lighter than thenoriginal. Painting vinyl a significantly darker color than the original can cause the siding to warp from heatnabsorption. We assess the condition and color compatibility during your estimate and will advise you honestlynif your desired color is not suitable for your siding.
What is the difference between cabinet refinishing and cabinet refacing?
Refinishing applies a new finish coat to your existing doors, drawer fronts, and face frames. Same doors,nsame boxes, new color. Refacing replaces the door fronts and drawer fronts while keeping the existing boxnstructure. Refinishing costs $1,500 to $5,000 for a full kitchen. Refacing runs $4,000 to $12,000. Full cabinetnreplacement runs $15,000 to $30,000 or more. If your boxes are structurally sound and the layout works fornyou, refinishing delivers 80 to 90% of the visual impact of full replacement for 10 to 20% of the cost.