There are so many costs involved in maintaining the exterior of a home or strata property, from large restorations to small beautification projects.  Many times, a property owner or body corporte will assess the need for improving the paint job, only to decide it should be postponed to a later date, often due to budget limitations.  This may seem like the obvious choice, but usually it ends up having the opposite outcome, becoming a more expensive undertaking.  Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re considering deferring maintenance:

• Surfaces that are exposed to the outdoors require more preparation prior to painting.  Walls become caked with built up dirt and grime, and damage begins to develop.  Wood areas can rot or become mildew, while areas that are stucco or painted may peel or crack.  These effects of exposure will require additional repair, and due to the compromised surface, they will need additional preparation to protect from further damage.  Even the most experienced crew must take care in taking these extra steps, performing additional power washing, scraping, and sanding, as well as patching or filling cracks and holes. This will cost you time and money.

• It’s not unusual for a paint project to be put off year after year, since many people consider it a solely cosmetic service.  However, painting an exterior surface provides a level of protection that may lengthen the life of that surface.  We’ve seen over and over again that when surfaces are neglected for long periods of time without new coats of paint, they are damaged beyond repair.  In these cases, your simple paint job becomes a replacement job first, which can be quite expensive, as your cost of labour and materials will increase substantially.

• Lastly, having a home that visibly needs an update but does not receive one will decrease the value of the property. One of the best and simplest ways to improve the worth of your house or strata is to paint the exterior.  Curb appeal is a self-explanatory phrase.  You want your home to look welcoming and cared for.  Most realtors suggest a fresh coat of paint as one of the best ways to increase ROI if you’re looking to sell, and if you’re in the market for a new place, you aren’t likely to consider those properties that haven’t been kept up for a while.

So what can you do to avoid these costly paint jobs on your neglected property?  How can you save money in the long run?  A simple solution is to implement a regular inspection and maintenance schedule after you have the home painted.  This is the best way to protect your investment and keep your house looking new and inviting.   At King Painting, our maintenance program ensures that skilled, professional painters examine your paint job regularly for damage or other maintenance needs.  If grime or dirt have accumulated on the surface, they will pressure wash it to clean it up.  If areas that receive exposure to the elements begin to deteriorate, they will address those spots by performing paint touch ups or small repairs.  Let us lengthen the life of your property and save you money in the process.  Contact us for more information.

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