How To Prepare For Interior House Painting: The Complete NZ Homeowner’s Guide

Why surface preparation matters

Surface preparation is the difference between paint that looks good for a few months and paint that looks great for years, further good surface preparation will:

• Speeds up the job (less disruption for you)
• Helps paint adhere evenly and last longer
• Protects furniture, flooring and fixtures
• Reduces dust and clean‑up

We will always complete professional surface preparation on arrival, but a little organisation before our team gets to site lets us get straight to work.

Make a plan two weeks out

Choose colours and finishes

Confirm your colour palette and sheen levels early, especially if you’re matching existing finishes or coordinating across open‑plan spaces. As a rule of thumb:

• Ceilings: Flat/matt to hide imperfections
• Walls: Low sheen for living spaces; washable low sheen/semi‑gloss in kitchens and bathrooms
• Trim & Doors: semi‑gloss or gloss for durability and easy cleaning

Decide painting sequence

Think about where you will live while rooms are drying. We can stage the work, for example do bedrooms first, living areas next so that everyday life carries on.

Flag any repairs

Let us know about hairline cracks, dents, water stains or mould you’ve noticed so that we can assess what needs filling, sealing or priming and that you can get a better finish.

Caution: Older Homes May Contain Lead Based Paint

If your home was built before the late 1980s, layers of older coatings may contain lead. Only trained professionals should manage lead‑based paint. Check WorkSafe New Zealand’s guidance on managing lead-based paint for why this matters and what is involved.

Declutter and Protect 

Clear surfaces, take down wall hangings and make plans for pets and kids. Pack away ornaments, books, small appliances and bench‑top clutter. Empty the tops of wardrobes, remove pictures, mirrors, posters and hooks. Also create a safe, paint‑free zone for children and pets. If possible, close off the work areas and set up a temporary family base elsewhere in the house.

Few days Before Painting Start – General Checklist 

Whole house

• Move furniture to the centre of each room, we will cover it with drop sheets and plastic when needed
• Lift light rugs, roll them and store somewhere safe
• Unplug electronics and tidy cords
• Open blinds and curtains; remove where practical 

Kitchen

• Clear benchtops and splashback shelves
• Move the fridge out by 1 meter if walls behind it are being painted
• Box up small appliances for a dust‑free cupboard

Bathrooms & laundry

• Remove towels, mats, toiletries and wall cabinets or shelves if they’re easily detached
• Let us know about any moisture or mould so we can treat and seal correctly

Bedrooms

• Strip beds if we are painting ceilings (makes moving easier)
• Put valuables and jewellery in a closed drawer or safe place

Living areas

• Clear media units and speakers
• Move large plants to another room or outdoors

Further if you have some extra time, do a quick cleaning, remove dust of skirtings, window sills and tops of door frames reduces the chance of dust nibs in the new finish. Wipe greasy spots, usually near switches in the kitchen with sugar soap and let dry.

What QPaint will take care of (so you don’t have to)

• Professional surface prep: sanding, filling, caulking, stain blocking and priming as required
• Masking and protection: precision masking of fixtures, cabinetry, floors and windows
• Small repairs: minor GIB® stopping and substrate patching where specified
• Clean, tidy site: daily tidy‑down and a proper clean at the end of the project
• If plates, pendants or blinds require removal, we will advise whether it’s safer for our team or your electrician/blind installer to handle it.

FAQs: quick answers from the QPaint team

How long does interior painting take?

It depends on the number of rooms, repair work and access. Typical bedrooms are often completed in a day, larger living areas may take longer. We will give you a clear schedule with your quote.

Do I need to empty rooms completely?

No. Moving items away from the walls and packing small, fragile pieces is usually enough, we will then protect and cover the rest.

What if we discover old, flaky paint or water damage?

We will recommend the right fix, whether that is sealing stains, replacing damaged GIB® or using a specialist primer. Upon an agreed solution quote on the spot. 

Can you help choose colours?

Absolutely. We can suggest a cohesive palette and sheen plan for the whole home.