Hi, Brad here. After painting hundreds of Wanaka homes over the past decade, I've learned what separates a paint job that lasts from one that disappoints. And most of it comes down to what happens before the first brush stroke. Here are the five things I wish every homeowner knew before starting a painting project.
1) Weather Windows Are Real (and Smaller Than You Think)
Wanaka's weather is glorious - but unpredictable. For exterior painting, I need at least 3–4 consecutive dry days with temperatures above 10°C and humidity below 85%. That rules out a lot of winter, most of early spring, and those random nor'wester weeks.
What this means for you:
- Book exterior work in late spring through early autumn (October–April)
- Interior painting can happen year‑round, but winter condensation can slow drying
- If your project gets delayed by weather, that's normal - not a sign of poor planning
Pro tip: I track MetService's 10‑day forecast religiously. If rain's due on day 3 of a 4‑day exterior job, we'll pause and pick it up when the window reopens.
2) 70% of a Great Paint Job Is Prep Work
You're not paying for paint - you're paying for preparation. Scraping loose material, sanding rough spots, filling cracks, caulking gaps, cleaning surfaces... it's not glamorous, but it's what makes paint stick and last.
On a typical exterior repaint in Wanaka:
- 40% of time = prep (cleaning, scraping, sanding, repairs)
- 30% of time = priming
- 30% of time = topcoats
What this means for you:
- If a quote seems expensive, it's likely because we're doing proper prep
- DIY prep can save you money if you do it thoroughly - half‑done prep is worse than none
- Expect dust, noise and a bit of disruption during the prep phase
Red flag: If someone quotes you a suspiciously low price and says "we can have it done in two days," they're skipping prep. That job will peel in 12–18 months.
3) Colour Choice Is Harder Than You Think (But We Can Help)
Every week I meet homeowners who've bought a "safe grey" only to discover it looks purple in Wanaka's bright alpine light, or chosen a trendy dark exterior that bakes in summer sun and shows every speck of dust.
What this means for you:
- Test colours on a large board (at least A3 size) and observe them over a full day
- North‑ and west‑facing walls get blasted with light - colours appear lighter and warmer
- South‑facing walls stay cooler and shadowed - same colour will look darker and flatter
- Dark colours on metal roofs and cladding can get scorching hot (not ideal for touch‑ups or longevity)
My process: I'll bring sample pots and paint test patches directly on your house. We'll look at them morning, midday and late afternoon. Then you decide.
4) Your House Needs to Be Accessible
This sounds obvious, but I've turned up to jobs where:
- The driveway's blocked by a caravan and boat
- There's no power access for compressors and sanders
- Gardens are overgrown against the house
- Decks are piled with outdoor furniture
What this means for you: Before we start, please:
- Clear 1–1.5 metres of space around the house perimeter
- Move outdoor furniture, BBQs and pot plants
- Trim back shrubs and trees touching walls
- Provide power access (or let us know if we need a generator)
- Arrange alternative parking if your driveway will be in use
For interior jobs:
- Move small furniture and fragile items yourself (we can shift larger pieces)
- Remove or cover artwork and electronics
- Plan for dust - it travels further than you'd think
5) You Get What You Pay For (Seriously)
I know it's tempting to go with the cheapest quote. But in 16 years I've repainted so many homes where the previous painter used budget paint, skipped primer, or didn't back‑prime new timber. Two years later the owner's repainting again - and now paying twice.
What separates a $3,000 exterior job from a $6,000 one:
- Proper surface prep (see point #2)
- Quality primers and topcoats (Resene, Dulux, Wattyl - not hardware‑store budget lines)
- Two full topcoats (not one thick "we'll make it work" coat)
- Correct product for the surface (acrylic for weatherboards, enamel for joinery, etc.)
- Attention to detail: caulking, sanding between coats, cutting‑in properly
My pricing philosophy: I quote fairly for the time and materials the job actually needs. If I can save you money without cutting corners (e.g., you do the prep, or we work around your schedule), I'll tell you. But I won't underbid just to win the job, then deliver work I'm not proud of.
Bonus: The Best Question to Ask Any Painter
"Can I see photos of a similar project you completed 3–5 years ago, and can I contact that homeowner?"
A good painter will happily share references. If they dodge the question or only show fresh work, that's a warning sign.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're planning to paint your Wanaka home and want honest advice, a detailed quote and work you'll still be happy with in five years, let's talk. I'll come assess your place, explain what it needs, give you options and pricing, and answer every question you have - no pressure, no nonsense.
After all, you're trusting me with one of your biggest assets. I take that seriously.
