We handle the protection, masking and cleanup on every exterior project. But there are a handful of things only a homeowner can do, and doing them before day one makes the job faster and the result better.
Clear access around the house
Crews need a working perimeter — roughly three to four feet of clearance from the walls, plus room to set ladders safely. Move planters, garden furniture, grills, hoses, bikes and anything stored against the house.
If you have a gate that stays locked, arrange access. A crew standing at a locked gate at 7 a.m. is time you are paying for.
Trim back landscaping
Shrubs and climbing plants growing against the siding trap moisture and block access. Cutting them back six to twelve inches from the wall before we arrive lets us prep and coat properly, and it is genuinely better for the siding year-round.
We cover plantings and hardscape regardless, but overgrowth that cannot be worked around usually means those areas get less thorough preparation.
Handle windows, screens and fixtures
Removable screens should come out — they are easy to damage and they prevent proper work on the window frames. Let us know about any window that does not seal well, since washing puts water against the exterior.
Point out anything fragile or valuable mounted on the exterior: satellite dishes, security cameras, decorative fixtures, house numbers. We will work around them or remove and reinstall as appropriate.
Plan for noise, pets and parking
House washing and scraping are loud, and crews start early to beat afternoon heat. If you work from home, plan calls accordingly for the first couple of days.
Keep pets inside or in an area away from the work, and leave a driveway or curb space free for the crew's vehicles and materials.
Talk about weather up front
Exterior painting depends on temperature, humidity and dew point. We will not apply a coating in conditions where it cannot cure properly, which occasionally means moving a day. That flexibility is what protects the finish you are paying for.
We tell you as early as we can when a schedule needs to shift, and we do not disappear mid-project. If the forecast changes, you will hear it from us.