A good interior paint job starts before the first can is opened. Most of the work that decides how the finish looks is preparation, and a few simple steps on your side help the crew spend its time painting instead of moving things.
Start by clearing what you can. Take pictures, mirrors and shelves off the walls, and move small furniture, lamps and breakables out of the room. Larger pieces can stay; they are moved to the center of the room and covered.
Decide on colors and sheens ahead of time. Flat and matte finishes hide imperfections on walls and ceilings, while eggshell and satin are easier to wipe clean in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. Semi-gloss is the usual choice for doors and trim.
Point out the problems you already know about: nail holes, cracks, water stains, a patch that never matched. Stains and marks need to be sealed with the right primer, or they will bleed back through fresh paint.
Plan around the rooms being painted. You will want access to a bathroom and somewhere to sleep that is not full of drop cloths, and pets and children are best kept out of the work area until the paint has dried.
The crew takes care of the rest: covering floors and furniture, patching and sanding, caulking, priming and masking. Elite Painting Inc provides interior painting across the Portland metro area. Call (503) 330-8754 for a free estimate.