Home Staging in Portland Oregon Blog

Maureen- when I was redoing my house- my contractor painted first - then installed flooring- because he didnt want to worry about messing up the floors!!

Marci ~ Thanks for your feedback. That makes sense  -- however if the baseboards are damaged by the carpet installer, then you may have to call the painter back for touch up (and more expense)?

Maureen ~ I have always painted first (in my own home) and then had the carpet installed.  Even then, at least 3 days after the painting is done so they don't make any dents when the carpet may lay on the wall for cutting.  I think it is definitely much easier to touch up a wall than a carpet!

My baseboards weren't damaged during the renovation of my home- just me!  I went for 3 weeks without a stove!  Talk about DAMAGE!

Kathy ~ That's a great idea, wait 3 days after painting.  You're right, it may be next to impossible to remove paint from a carpet.

Marci ~ I can imagine being without a stove for 3 weeks.  Your dinner menu might be restricted to "reservations!"  Lol

Hi Maureen....ALWAYS paint first.  Easy answer!! Touch ups are part of a two-part job in this case.  Ask the painter if he would include the touch-ups (post carpet install) as part of his contract to paint.  Allow several days for the baseboard paint to harden and cure, prior to the carpet install. So yes, there will be a few minor scuffs here and there....most marks are easily scrubbed off if you paint the baseboards with semi-gloss.  Regards-Kathleen

Easy - paint first! Splatter, splatter, splatter

Make sure to do the baseboards, too 

Kathleen ~ I like your suggestion of having the painter include touchups as part of his proposal.  That covers the possibility of baseboards being damaged ... thanks for the tip!

Maureen, I vote for painting first.  Like what if the painter spills the can of paint?  OMG that would really be a problem.  Definitely paint :-)

Thomas ~ Thanks for voting!

Terry ~ It looks like a landslide opinion -- paint first!!  Thanks for weighing in.

Maureen, I am definitely with the majority here. When we built our house the painter came in first, then the flooring guys and then the painter returned for touch-ups (all of which turned out to "skips" on the walls and nowhere near the flooring).

Paint, paint, paint - just like cleaning top to bottom

Paint first has my vote too.  I like using those old carpets as absorbent drop cloths that get tossed out when the job is done.  Touch up painting shouldn't take much time unless the carpet installer is a real mess maker. 

Kathy ~ Thanks for sharing your experience....much appreciated.

Kathleen ~ OK! Paint first will be my recommendation to my clients.  Funny how my carpet installer last year insisted on laying the carpet first!!  Thanks for voting.

Ginger ~  It looks like a clean sweep here for painting first!  The old carpet will make a perfect dropcloth, you're right.  Thank you for your input.

Hi Maureen!  Yep... paint first, then carpet has been embedded in my brain by my husband who is a general contractor.  Good luck!!

Lisa ~ Well we'd better listen to the experts shouldn't we?  Thanks for stopping by with your comment.

Paint first....then carpet. :)

Teresa ~ That's 10 votes for painting first!  Thanks for your comment.

I agree with the fellow experts... PAINT FIRST!!!  It is easier to touch up walls than to clean up carpet!

Kristina ~ thanks for voting -- the majority is winning here!!

Maureen, Definitely paint first, let it dry 2 days, then carpet. Most experienced carpet installers will not scuff the baseboards. Baseboards are a lot easier to repair than getting that darn paint off the carpet.

Would suggest painting first and then doing carpet. Even if you have to have the painters come back in to touch up, it's better than risking all the potential spill of painting everything after you have new carpet.

Paint First... Make Touch Ups part of painter's contract (if not doing yourself). Then carpet. Little bit of touch up paint is alot cheaper than bad carpet.

After many rehabs that is something that is easy to decide!

 

Matt Yogerst - Menomonee Falls WI Real Estate Agent

www.MattYogerst.com / www.wiREOhomes.com

 

First, tarp everything

Paint first.

Clean the carpet after painting. Replace as necessary.

Sell!

Steve

Depends on condition, but we'll advise paint first, usually clean carpet and give credit for new one.  If carpet is so bad it detracts from sale, we'll still ask for paint first, then carpet when it has dried.

best 

Maureen,

I'm thinking you should paint first, carpet second???

My 2 cents...paint first.  Noone ever spilled carpet all over the walls and ceilings.  A scuff here or there is easy to touch up. 

Paint first. Cover the floors. Then when the painting is complete then you carpet. Job well done.

Paint first then carpet. That is how I've done it in my own home as well as for clients. I've never really had a problem with the baseboards after the carpet was installed- but a little touch up is nothing!

Aloha Maureen,

Have you ever seen a paint can fall off a ladder?

Paint first, leave the base boards off the wall until after the carpet install, and if the carpet installer is a clutz put them back yourself. If your a clutz use a cloth covered padded block and hammer gently.

please join my hui Aloha'Oe

Cynthia ~ Good point, an experienced carpet installer will be careful with the baseboards.  Thanks for your vote.

Bob & Carolin ~ Looking at it that way makes sense ... the carpet is the bigger investment and harder to fix if damaged -- thank you.

Matt ~ thanks for your feedback, it sounds like you have a lot of experience in this field!

Steve ~ I like your simple steps to success ... thanks for stopping by with your input.

Gary ~ Diane ~ Joe  Thank you for your comments and for voting.  Painting first is the clear choice of the A/R experts!

 

Maureen, I'm in the paint first camp. I always have them leave some extra paint for touch-ups. Touching up is really easy.

Paint is much more important than carpet. no one wants to paint after putting in carpet...carpet will take the new buyers a day to get put in!

Hi Maureen-

I'll just add my agreement here to paint first & carpet last.  The carpet job should go quicker-good advice to let the paint cure for a couple of days.

Kathy

Maureen.....

I would definately paint first then there is no worries about splattering and the baseboards are painted well.  It is far easier to touch up after carpet installation.

Robert ~ Thanks for weighing in on this question. The overwhelming majority here agrees with you.

Rob ~ Hopefully the baseboard touch ups will be easy -- thanks for stopping with a comment.

Kimo ~ Ha-ha the visual image of a can of paint falling off a ladder is amusing!  Let's hope it doesn't happen to my client!!  Thanks for your vote.

Mitchell ~ Good idea, the painter can just leave some paint behind for the homeowners and they could probably do it themselves ... thanks for that tip!

Team DiMuria -- thanks for your feedback!

Kathy ~ Yes, I like that tip as well, letting the paint dry to harden it first.  Thanks for stopping by with your comment.

I would much rather pay to have a painter come back to do small touch ups rather than buy new carpet if there happens to be a disaster or an accident.  Paint is easy, carpet is more work.  You have to replace the whole room if there is damage to the carpet.  In fact, I would probably do the touch ups to the trim myself, rather than have the painter come back.

I am getting ready to do this in my personal residence and I am going back and forth on what to do, what to do!  Thanks for posing this!

Another vote for "put in the pool, then do the landscaping"

 

Paint first, carpet, touch up the base board. Definitely don't paint after new carpet is installed...what if the pain brush or paint pan falls on the new carpet?  That would be terrible!

Maureen:  Remove the baseboards, install the carpet, replace the baseboards and tape down paper or drop cloths next to baseboards to paint.  Makes certain all carpeted areas are protected by drop cloths.  Patti - Calif.   

Ashley ~ I think we're in agreement!  Thanks for stopping to leave a comment.

Renee ~ It's a good question and one that clients often ask me about.  Now I can tell them I've done a "survey" and have advice from the experts.

Mark ~ I like your analogy!  That was fun to read, thanks for your feedback.

Karen ~ Yes, if the paint spilled it could spell disaster -- but I thought all painters tightly covered the carpeting like mine did last year in my own home.  Maybe not, from what I'm reading here!  Thanks for your opinion.

Patti ~ You're the first suggestion to paint the walls after the carpet is installed ... but this is exactly what my carpet installer told me last year!  Thanks for stopping.

I say paint first and find someone else to do the carpet.  That first carpet guy is lame.

 

You're the first suggestion to paint the walls after the carpet is installed ... but this is exactly what my carpet installer told me last year!  Thanks for stopping.

Of course he said that.  If there has to be budget cuts as the project goes along, he wants to be first in the paycheck line, not last. :-)

I would paint first, carpet, and then touch up the baseboards.  Scuffed baseboards are better than having paint on the carpet!

Doreen ~ He may be just that, indeed.  Thanks for your input.

Mark ~ There you go again, thanks for the laugh!

Patricia ~ I agree with you!!  Thanks for your vote.

I suppose if it was either or, painting should come first. But if the painter is a professional, what difference should it make? How many rooms are repainted and the carpet never changes? If the carpet guy can come tomorrow and the painter can't come until next week, do the carpet!

Wayne ~ that is what I thought too, as I'd think a professional painter would wrap the carpet with that tight-fitting plastic wrap to protect from drips or spills.  I guess not all painters are that careful, though, after reading everyone's responses here.  Thanks for weighing in with your opinion!

I would say paint first. Even if you skuff the baseboard slightly, you can touch that up fairly easy. Getting paint out of a carpet is not as easy!

PAINT PAINT PAINT. Always paint. Carpet guy is nuts to suggest anything else. Hi Maureen!

Christy ~ As far as I know, it's practically impossible to get paint out of a carpet ... thanks for stopping in with your feedback.

Hi Kym ~ OK!  From the expert ..... I thought so too, and going forward I want to give my clients good advice.  Thanks for your comment.

There seems to be no debate left.  Paint first....   but it's important to have everyone's vote including those in Florida and Michigan... ;)

Matt ~ I agree, we're a democracy after all!  Maybe we should petition for a recount!!  Any voices from Florida or Michigan?  Thanks for stopping.

LOL, paint, carpet then install new baseboards that are pre-painted. If everything else is going to look new, why have grubby looking baseboards. They may look decent now, but when the stuff around them is new, they will look like the sore spot.

You can always retouch paint, the carpet you are stuck with...I always CARPET FIRST!!!!

I am a property manager and we always paint first.  You will get a better deal on the paint job since they don't have to cover the floor.  Then put in the carpet and inspect.  Bring back the painter if necessary.

I would paint first.  I would not want to take the risk of damaging the carpet.

John ~ Thanks for the tip on the prepainted new baseboards, that makes a lot of sense!

Ruthmarie ~ So you're saying CARPET FIRST?  Thanks for stopping by with your comment.

Robert ~ I wasn't aware that painters may give a price break if they don't have to be careful about drips.  Thanks for mentioning this!

Ryan ~ That makes sense.  Me neither!  Thanks for your feedback.

Add me to the choir, I used to have a handyman's business, paint then carpet.  No use to ruin new carpet

I personally always paint first:) I would rather touch up a wall then try to cut paint out of a carpet - especially with some of my colors!  Good question, though:)

Tony ~ Sounds like you're an expert and know what you're talking about -- thanks for jumping in.

Courtney ~ That makes sense to me and your vote is appreciated!  I'll have a great little survey here that I can share with any clients who ask this again in the future.

I vote paint too...you can always touch up baseboards...and it's nice to get new larger ones anyway, so just do the baseboards last...Send photos of the work Maureen, anxious to see what you are going to do.

Terrylynn ~ Thanks for joining into the question here.  This post was triggered by a consultation I'm doing for a very dated 1970's home.  It's in a wonderful neighborhood but was on the market for 6 months in 2007 without an offer .. it's very dated.  All rooms have those thinner, dark baseboards.  There's also a limited budget so I'm recommending that they replace all of the pastel pink, blue, & mauve carpeting and update with fresh paint.  If they'd upgrade the baseboards, it would be a huge improvement too. Any ideas on how I can convince them to do more?

What would you rather do, take paint out of a carpet, or touch up some baseboards with a paintbrush?

Paint first.  It is easier to paint a scuff than take paint out of a carpet.  Look how new construction is done, they paint first.

I always paint first... I can touch up a baseboard scuff afterwards easier than remove paint from carpet!

Maureen: I do a lot of recarpeting and painting for both home staging and interior design clients. We always paint first and carpet after, with the understanding that the painter will come back for any touch-ups. I have them build that into their bid.

Often when you recarpet the base shoe molding (quarter round) has to be replaced. It works best to prepaint the new molding before installing it, and then touch up the nail holes once it is installed, rather than trying to paint it after it has been installed (and not get any paint on the new carpet).

I agree. Paint first, carpet and new baseboards. Makes a world of difference and saves time and $$.

Paint first,  I'd rather touch up a few scuffs than buy new carpet if the paint spills. I like the idea about installing new quarter round. That is a simple fix for the scuffs.

Thanks everyone for your feedback and help with this question!

Michelle ~ thanks for your suggestions about replacing the quarter-round.  I'll mention this to my clients.

Lori Kim ~ you're given another vote for replacing the old baseboards ... a great idea.  Thanks for stopping to comment.

Maureen,

I vote for painting 1st.  You can protect the moldings and if you get a few dings they can usually be touched up pretty easily.

Since we are all prone to mistakes and indeed, gravity does work, one should paint first.

Paint first. Painting accidents are much more damaging than carpeting accidents.  

congrats on a featured post -- I can't even begin to take the time to read all the responses; but I do know the answer:

Carpet first ( even if they try to be careful, it is difficult

Paint last -- and gues what -- any good painter (at least her in the South) will tell you that.  A good painter won't leave paint dripings anywhere . . . ever . . . no matter what the condition of the floor is.  If you you have one tell you otherwise . . . well, just do not use him -- He's scamming on you, for sure!

Susan ~ Thanks for weighing in with your opinion ... you're with the majority here.

Ron and Tony ~ I see you're both with the "paint first" camp.  Thanks for your feedback.

Karen ~ Another vote for "carpet first" -- my painter told me he and his crew NEVER drip paint and don't even need dropcloths!  They are probably the exception though.  Thanks for your input, it's very interesting to learn what your experience is.

I grew up in a trades family, my dad, uncle, grandfather and my brother all painted professionally.  Now that I am staging homes, my brother and I do lots of painting.  He has taught me well.  We tarp every inch of flooring with impervious covers.  We tape baseboards with 3M 2 inch cream masking tape and a special technique to seal out any seeps and leaks of paint onto the base boards. We are meticulous whether the carpet is new or old.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

Jeanne ~ Thanks for sharing your techniques that obviously work well.  I wish that all painters were as meticulous as you and your family! 

Hi Maureen!  You have received a lot of comments and great advice.  We have built houses for many years and our experience has been interesting.  The subcontractors like things at their pace.  However, for our purposes of selling a property in MINT condition, the carpet goes in last.  It is true that painters and professional and they do not drip; however, the ladders and traffic do have a negative effect on the property.  Also, people are human and accidents happen.  Good to hear your voice!

Margaret Ann ~ Thanks for your feedback ... I appreciate your opinion. Those who voted for painting first are definitely in the majority.

Maureen , paint first and carpet last makes sense to me....except... we had carpet installed after fresh paint and the roll of carpet scratched the wall when installers were unrolling it. Oh well, we thought we had it all figured out! I'd still vote for paint first though!

Wendy Casey - Vancouver, BC

I worked on large residential construction sites and suggest you do what the professionals do when lining up your trades. Paint first, floor 2nd. These methods are tried and true and when you are building over 5,000 houses a year it must be done this way for a reason. 

 

Michelle Finnamore  CSP   www.advantagestaging.ca 

Wendy and Michelle ~ Thanks for weighing in with your opinions.  Painting first seems to be the clear preference for A/R readers!

I too say always paint 1st!  Touching up base boards is a lot cheaper and less painful than replacing brand new carpet.

 

What a difference...great work and good luck

As a home stager and painter I am often times coordinating the carpet install and doing the painting.  Because I offer turn key services to my clients, I will always return to touch up any nicks or scuffs (takes less than 10 minutes) caused by the carpet installers.  My installers are also very meticulous because I give them lots of work.