Ask the expert

LITTLE ROCK — I'm debating whether to paint the outside of my house myself or have the job done by a professional. Please provide me some guidelines that will help me get the job done well, one way or the other, and get me the most for my money.

Peeling paint on your house is more than shabby. It can lead to siding repairs and water damage inside the home. Repainting when it's needed isn't cheap. The June 2009 issue of Consumer Reports magazine estimates the cost as $2,500 to $5,700 for a 2,500-square-foot house, with 80 percent of that sum going toward labor.

"Most of the time and expense of painting ... your house goes into the prep work, so get a coating that can last longer even if it costs a few dollars more per gallon," CR said. Here are other pre-painting tips the magazine offered, some of which can save money no matter who does the work:

Pick the right color. Aside from Victorian-era houses,exterior colors tend to be conservative. Even if there are no homeowners association or historic-district rules, look around at neighbors' houses for clues, especially since "creative" paint jobs can lower your home's resale value. Many paint manufacturers offer online programs that let you see a variety of colors on a sample house. If you change from a dark to light color, you're likely to need two top coats, so budget accordingly.

Look for deals. Holiday weekends are a common time for paint sales, especially on top brands at big-box stores. Remember that paint sold in 5-gallon containers sometimes costs half as much as the same thing in 1 gallon cans.

Consumer Reports tested paints outdoors in conditions that intensify the effects of sun, shade and the elements. Some relatively pricey regional brands did extremely well, but products sold at Wal-Mart (Kilz) and Lowe's (Valspar) were also near the top and cost less.

Specially formulated selfpriming paints showed much improvement this year, including Valspar Ultra Premium Duramax. This type saves significant time and money, particularly on brand new siding or if you must scrape down to bare wood.

CR also noted that in its latest remodeling survey, 40 percent of readers were motivated by the potential savings to do the work themselves. Some 12 percent split the work with a contractor by painting a portion of the house or by gathering the mate-rials and supplies.

"If you decide to hire a pro, be clear upfront about your expectations," CR says. "Use an area on your home to show the painter how much unevenness or surface imperfection you can live with and how much would be unacceptable."

Don't be afraid to haggle. "The bottom line could vary by as much as 100 percent depending on the prep work," said Bob Cusamano, consultant to the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America.

Also remember that if you decide to do the project yourself, tools and materials you'll need cost at least $200 to $250. The list:

You'll need safety gear, such as a dust mask, safety glasses and work gloves.

Factor in drop cloths and tarp ($30); plastic bristle brush to clean dirt and caulking ($5); roller frames, covers, trays and extension poles ($60); scrapers and a wire brush ($30); primer for spot priming ($40); sandpaper and a pole sander ($30); caulking and caulking gun ($40); wood filler ($10); paintbrushes ($35).

CR estimates that the 2,500-square-foot house will require 10 gallons of paint for around $250.