Thousands of New England residents will be painting their homes or getting them painted this summer,...

1. Money Saving Mondays: House Painting
Thousands of New England residents will be painting their homes or getting them painted this
summer, which is an extra tough job after a long winter.
It's very costly even if you do it yourself, so necn asked John Mulvaney of TLC Painting in Natick,
Massachusetts, how to get the most out of what you spend.
Mulvaney and other experts note that it always comes down to great preparation- including
powerwashing, scraping away any loose paint, and sanding down any rough edges.
Another tip is to pick up a $42 moisture meter- a device that can save you thousands. The probe tells
you how damp the wood is, which is essential to avoid paint bubbles and cracks as the moisture
evaporates.
Once it's clean, dry, sanded, and prepped, you may be tempted to shave $10 or $20 off a gallon of
paint that can run $60 to $100 a can. Mulvaney says paints are more expensive for a reason, and if
you splurge the paint job is likely to last longer.
Unless you really know what you're doing, have lots of patience, and no fear of heights- many people
find that they don't save enough on money and hassle to justify do it yourself on painting.
One final tip is to take your time choosing a company. A cheaper company that leaves your home in
uproar for two months while they chase other work is no bargain.
Published at 10:21 PM EDT on May 4, 2015
For up-to-the-minute news and weather, be sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Sign up for our new breaking news email alerts by clicking here and download our free apps here.
http://www.necn.com/news/business/Money-Saving-Mondays-House-Painting-302508351.html