A paint job usually fails before the first coat is rolled. Peeling paint, dirty surfaces, unfilled cracks, damp walls, loose caulk, poor masking and rushed drying create the callbacks homeowners blame on the paint. Preparation is especially important in Ottawa, where older plaster and brick homes, winter humidity, freeze-thaw movement and short exterior seasons add conditions that a generic checklist misses. This guide focuses on preparing and controlling the scope of a house-painting project. For price ranges, see the separate [Ottawa painting cost guide](costs/painting-cost-ottawa).
1. Inspect before choosing colour\n2. Repair and moisture checklist\n3. Lead, asbestos and safety cautions\n4. Materials and application plan\n5. Interior and exterior preparation\n6. Quality-control closeout
Walk every room and elevation in good light. Look for peeling, chalking, bubbling, stains, nail pops, hairline cracks, failed caulk, soft wood, mildew-like growth and areas with different sheen. Take photos and mark them on a room list. A contractor can then price preparation separately from finish coats. If the surface problem is caused by water, movement or a failed building-envelope detail, paint is not the repair.
Check ceilings below bathrooms, around windows, behind furniture on exterior walls, basement corners and areas near plumbing or heating equipment. A moisture meter can help a professional investigate, but a reading is not a diagnosis by itself. Resolve active leaks and allow damp materials to dry be...
Look for peeling, exposed wood, cracked caulk, rusting fasteners, loose siding, failing masonry joints and areas where water lands repeatedly. Ottawa’s freeze-thaw cycles make small openings grow. Exterior painting should include a plan for washing, scraping, spot priming, repairs and weather window...
Preparation is a chain: clean, dry, stabilize, fill, sand, prime and then paint. Do not skip directly from washing to finish paint when the substrate is chalky or damaged. Ask the contractor which repairs are included and which belong to another trade.
Plan for nail-hole filling, joint-compound feathering, drywall patches, cracked corners, loose tape, damaged trim, failed caulk and scuffed doors. Glossy surfaces may need deglossing or abrasion. New drywall and patched areas usually need primer so the finish sheen does not flash. If plaster is loos...
Exterior preparation may include gentle washing, scraping, sanding, replacing rotten trim, resetting loose fasteners, sealing joints and spot-priming bare areas. Do not caulk drainage openings or cover weep paths. Wood, masonry, metal and composite surfaces each need compatible products. The contrac...
Never paint over active moisture, efflorescence or soft wood and hope the coating will solve it. Check gutters, downspouts, roof-to-wall details, window perimeters and grade outside. Indoors, check bathroom ventilation, dryer exhaust, plumbing and basement humidity. A [renovation contractor](service...
Older homes need a safety conversation before sanding or demolition. Homes built before the early 1980s may contain lead-based paint, and asbestos can occur in some older building materials. The age of the house does not prove what is present, but it is a reason not to dry-sand unknown coatings or disturb suspect materials casually. Ask a qualified professional about assessment, containment, safe removal and disposal before work begins.
Remove small items, cover furniture, isolate work areas, protect floors and maintain ventilation appropriate to the product. Children, pets and people with respiratory sensitivities should stay out of active work zones. A contractor should explain dust control, daily cleanup and how the home remains...
Oil-based, water-based, shellac and specialty primers solve different problems. The correct choice depends on the existing coating, stains, substrate and topcoat. Ask for the product family, sheen and number of coats in writing. “Two coats” is not meaningful if the surface has not been cleaned and s...
Choose colour and sheen after the surface and lighting are understood. Ottawa rooms can look different in winter daylight, warm LED light and summer sun. Test a sample on the actual wall and view it at different times. For exteriors, confirm the product is rated for the substrate and local weather window. Coordinate trim, doors, siding, masonry and fixed fixtures rather than selecting each colour in isolation.
Flat and low-sheen finishes hide minor variation better, while eggshell, satin and semi-gloss are easier to clean but reveal dents, ridges and roller texture. Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and trim may need different durability choices. Ask the contractor where sheen changes occur and how edges will...
Exterior coatings need suitable temperature, surface dryness and a forecast that allows curing. Cold mornings, rain, dew and direct hot sun can affect the result. Do not pressure a crew to paint outside a product’s application range to meet a calendar date. For interiors, winter projects still need ...
For interiors, clear the room, remove or protect switch plates and hardware, vacuum dust, clean grease, repair imperfections, sand safely, prime repairs and confirm the colour before finish coats. For exteriors, protect plants and surfaces, wash, allow the substrate to dry, scrape unstable coating, repair and caulk appropriate joints, spot-prime, and inspect the first coat before continuing. A professional should invite a walkthrough at the preparation stage.
Write down rooms or elevations, surface repairs, washing, sanding, primer, number of finish coats, product line, sheen, furniture moving, protection, ceiling and trim scope, access equipment, cleanup, touch-ups and warranty. Our [guide to comparing Ottawa contractor quotes](guides/how-to-read-renova...
A low price can mean fewer repair hours, no primer, thinner coverage or exclusions for high walls and trim. Ask each bidder to price the same condition assumptions. If the walls have not been inspected, request a base scope plus clearly priced allowances rather than an artificially precise total.
Remove small belongings, identify repairs, clear access, protect valuables, document stains or damage, and confirm the written scope for cleaning, sanding, primer, coats, trim and cleanup.
Yes. Active leaks, damp materials, condensation and soft substrates need diagnosis and correction before painting, or the new coating may fail quickly.
They may. House age does not prove what a coating contains, but dry-sanding or disturbing unknown older paint can create hazards. Ask a qualified professional about assessment and safe work methods.
Exterior work is normally planned around suitable temperature, dryness and curing conditions. Follow the product requirements rather than rushing the job during cold, wet or frosty weather.