Spring Exterior Painting is one of the best ways to refresh your curb appeal and protect your home after a long winter. If you’re planning exterior house painting in Danvers, MA, you’re probably juggling spring break, sports schedules, and everything else the season brings. The last thing anyone wants is a paint job gone wrong because prep got skipped. As professional painters who’ve worked through plenty of unpredictable Massachusetts springs, we’ve put together this prep list to make your experience smoother.

Let’s walk through seven smart things you should do before calling your painter.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your home’s exterior early for damage and paint issues
  • Power wash before painting for better adhesion
  • Watch spring temperatures and pick the right paint
  • Move furniture and protect landscaping ahead of time
  • Call a professional painter early to lock in your date

7 Smart Prep Steps Before You Hire a Painter in Danvers, MA

1. Walk the Property and Check for Wear and Tear

Start by doing a simple walkaround of your house. Look for flaking or peeling paint, cracks in the siding, and exposed wood on trim or soffits. If you see mildew or staining near the foundation or under gutters, add that to your notes. It’s also a good idea to check caulking around windows and doors. Cracked or dried-out caulk won’t hold up under new paint.

If your wood trim looks like it’s splintering or soft to the touch, it may need repair before painting. A painter can patch some areas, but rotted wood will likely need replacement. Noticing these things early makes your project easier to quote and keeps surprises off the invoice.

Exterior painting of a Danvers, MA home

2. Get Your Cleaning Game On

Here’s one step that’s often skipped: washing before painting. It’s one of the most effective ways to prep your exterior. Dirt, salt, and mildew can ruin the way paint sticks to surfaces. Even if your house doesn’t look dirty, trust us—it is.

If you’re thinking, “Should I pressure wash before painting?”—yes, absolutely. And it’s worth doing it a few days in advance to give your siding time to dry.

Don’t forget to clean things like:

  • Downspouts
  • Window frames
  • Porch rails
gray deck painting of a suburban home

3. Keep an Eye on the Weather

Is spring a good time to paint your house? Yes—but timing is everything. You want dry days with temps between 50°F and 85°F. New England weather has a mind of its own, so don’t schedule your paint job the same week the Red Sox have three rain delays.

How warm should it be to paint a house in spring? Most paints work best when nights stay above 45°F. If you’re not sure, ask your exterior house painter what brands they recommend for early-season work.

4. Create a Spring Painting Preparation Plan

Before the crew shows up, think through what needs to move or get protected. Your spring painting preparation plan should include:

  • Moving grills, patio furniture, and planters
  • Letting neighbors know about any shared fence or close walkway
  • Trimming back overgrown shrubs or tree branches
  • Deciding how to protect pets and kids from wet paint zones

Also, think about how to protect plants during spring painting. Cover flower beds with breathable cloth (not plastic), and water them well the night before painting starts.

5. Ask Your Painter About Repairs and Prep Work

Some companies include small repairs in their prep work, while others charge separately. Ask what’s covered. Common exterior prep items include:

  • Caulking exterior walls and trim
  • Sanding before painting to smooth flaking edges
  • Prepping wood trim for exterior paint with primers and fillers
  • Tightening or replacing loose shutters or trim boards
chic gray door of a quaint home

A quality residential painting service should walk you through their process clearly.

6. Choose Colors Based on Natural Light

Spring sun has a way of changing how colors look. What seems warm and cozy inside might turn harsh in outdoor light. Always test swatches on different sides of your home.

When selecting exterior colors, look at samples:

  • In morning and afternoon light
  • On both sunny and shady sides
  • Next to permanent elements like brick or roofing

Want help? A professional exterior painter often includes a color consultation. If you’re debating the best exterior paint for spring weather, ask for low-temp formulas that dry well in cooler evenings.

7. Get on Your Painter’s Schedule Early

Every year, spring projects fill up faster than you’d think. If you wait until June, you could be stuck with a late July spot. As soon as your exterior painting checklist is ready, request quotes.

Ask each exterior house painter:

  • What products they use
  • How they handle weather delays
  • What their cleanup process includes
exterior house painting

Also, search for “house painters near me” with strong reviews and recent spring projects.

Need Help With Spring Exterior Painting in Danvers, MA?

We’ve painted a lot of homes around the North Shore—and spring’s always a favorite time. If you’re ready to move forward, Premier Painting & Wallpapering is here to help you check every box. Our team provides detailed prep work, flexible scheduling, and expert color guidance to make your home shine.

We proudly serve Danvers, Beverly, Topsfield, MA, and the Surrounding Massachusetts Suburbs

Give us a call today at 978-440-3002 to schedule your FREE estimate and start planning your spring project.