At Pearl Painters, we know that a successful paint job requires preparation on both sides. Sure, we’re doing most of the prep, but of course there is almost always some type of prep done by the homeowner. When your home is “project ready” before our crew arrives, everything runs smoother, cleaner, and faster. This leads to no unnecessary delays and an experience that feels stress-free instead of overwhelming.
That’s why we developed our Client Readiness Checklist. It’s a simple but powerful tool that helps you, the homeowner, prepare for a painting project and ensures our team can deliver the high-quality results we’re known for. Let’s walk through why this step matters and what “project ready” really looks like.
Why Being Project Ready Matters
A little preparation upfront saves a lot of headaches later. We’ve seen it firsthand: when a homeowner takes the time to get their space ready, projects finish more quickly and with fewer interruptions. When they don’t, our crews end up waiting, rearranging, and troubleshooting before the first coat of paint ever goes on.
For you as the homeowner, getting project ready means you’ll spend less time scrambling at the last minute. Your belongings are better protected, your pets are safe, and your family won’t be as disrupted or surprised. For us as your painting team, it means we can show up and get to work right away without needing to pause and figure out logistics or move items that weren’t addressed ahead of time.
The bottom line? When both sides are prepared, the project is smoother, more efficient, and far more enjoyable.
What We Cover in the Readiness Checklist
We don’t believe in leaving things vague. Our checklist is thorough because your home deserves that level of attention. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included.
Scope and Details
Before we arrive, you’ll review your personalized scope of work video and your contract to confirm exactly what will and won’t be painted. This also covers exactly what we agreed to ahead of time. We recommend reviewing it several days ahead of time, to make sure that you’re prepared and to notify us of any last minute concerns.
Clarity here saves everyone from miscommunication later.
Access and Logistics
We’ll need to know how to access your property. If you’re not home, that could mean providing a garage code, or access to a lockbox or key. We’ll also discuss parking arrangements, where a trailer and porta potty should go (yes, it’s part of the reality of big projects), and any restrictions we should know about. If you’ve got pets or small kids, it’s important to have a plan for keeping them safe during the work. For exterior paint jobs, notifying neighbors can be a nice courtesy too.
Interior Prep
If your project is indoors, we’ll ask you to remove wall hangings, photos, and small décor before we arrive. Clear counters, shelves, and fragile items so we can move freely without risk of damage. Large furniture? Don’t worry, we’ll move it, but you’ll need to make sure nothing is sitting on, inside, or underneath those pieces.
Cabinet painting requires even more prep. You’ll need a cleared garage for our spray booth, prep station, and drying racks. All cabinets and drawers should be emptied so we can work efficiently and avoid delays.
Exterior Prep
For outdoor projects, we’ll ask you to move patio furniture, grills, and potted plants away from the house. Trim back shrubs or branches that press against siding. Make sure gates are unlocked and water and electrical outlets are available for our use. Adjust sprinkler schedules so fresh paint isn’t ruined by unexpected water. And please leave driveways free of vehicles as our crews need clear access for equipment.
Timing and Start Day
We’ll always confirm a start date and arrival time with you in advance. If you’re not sure, reach out. Communication is key. Having this locked in avoids any confusion and ensures you’re fully prepared on the first morning of work.
Getting your home project ready is about more than just a checklist. It’s about creating the right conditions for success. The more prepared you and your home are, the less disruption you’ll feel and the faster you’ll see results. Our job is to paint your home beautifully and efficiently, and this simple readiness process helps us do exactly that.
