Does your home need paint? You can call a professional, or you can do it yourself.
The reason professional painting companies exist is because they know how to do the job right to get beautiful long lasting results.
A good painter is well worth the price he or she charges.
You can get excellent results yourself if you are not a professional painter, but it will take you longer and you absolutely must follow every step.
In a previous time in my own life, I found this out the hard way.
If you do it yourself, follow these tips and tricks.

• Preparation.
  Have you heard this before? Did you decide to skip steps thinking it would come out OK? Skipping preparation steps will make results much worse, and take longer when you have to do it over.
  I can't emphasize enough the importance of leaving yourself enough time so that you don't rush the job.
  Make a checklist and then follow the directions carefully on your paint can.
  When you go to your local building store for your supplies, seek out a professional and ask them to help you with your checklist.
  
• Choose the best value.
  Do your homework before going to the store.
  Hit the internet and look up the buyer's guides to paint.
  My favorite is Consumer Reports.
  You will find that the best paints are not the most expensive.
  Save yourself some money.
  Believe it or not, our local home improvement stores carry the top rated brands.
  Don't go into the stores without knowing the ratings and pricing or you may leave with a product that lasts half as long as the best ones.
  
• Clean edges.
  One of the secrets to a great paint job, inside or out, is getting a clean edge.
  We have all had the experience of laying down masking tape thinking that everything was fine until we pulled the tape off to discover a wavy mess of wet paint underneath.
  Use painter's tape - Frogtape and 3M Edgelock are two of the best.
  Use finger pressure on the tape where paint will meet it to make sure there is a good bond.
  Don't leave the tape on the wall for days at a time; you may have trouble removing it.
  
• Coverage.
  Don't thin your paint unless the directions call for it.
  Most paints are meant to be applied directly out of the can.
  When you apply the paint, get plenty of coverage - paint an "M" shape on the surface and then use cross strokes to fill it in.
  Don't try to save money by under applying.
  Good coverage will last longer and make cleanup easier.
  
• Tools for tricky areas.
  Don't try to use the paint roller for everything.
  Buy edging tools and angled brushes when you're in the paint store and use them first to cut in and make the rolling a breeze.
  
• Don't stretch the day.
  When you get tired you will get sloppy.
  Stop and place saran wrap over your roller pan and roller, pressing it down lightly on the wet surfaces.
  Use 2 layers.
  Tomorrow it will be as fresh as it is today and you can get started again.
  

Have fun.
Put on your old clothes, put music on, and enjoy your handiwork.