Top Painting Regrets Homeowners Make

And how to avoid saying “We should have listened…”

Written by Curtis Tankersley, owner of Just Add Paint, LLC

Hiring a professional painting company should be exciting. New colors, fresh finishes, and that satisfying moment when everything suddenly looks cleaner, brighter, and more “intentional.”

And yet… we hear a lot of regret stories understanding nods, deep sighs, and phrases like:

“Well, if we had known then what we know now…”

At Just Add Paint, we’ve been painting homes in Mechanicsburg and surrounding Central Pennsylvania towns long enough to see the same mistakes pop up again and again. Consider this your friendly, slightly sarcastic, experience-based guide to the most common painting regrets—and how to avoid them.

1. Hiring the “Cheaper Guy” (And Paying Twice)

painters near Mechanicsburg — Bad ceiling cut lines can be prevented by hiring well-reviewed painting companies.

We get it. Everyone loves a deal. But there’s a big difference between competitive pricing and alarmingly low bids.

When a paint job is dramatically cheaper, something is missing:

Prep
Quality materials
Insurance
Experience
Or all of the above

The regret usually arrives when peeling, flashing, lap marks, bad cut lines, or uneven finishes show up—and now the job needs to be fixed, not just painted. Fixing bad work almost always costs more than doing it correctly the first time.

There’s an old saying in the trades: “Cheap work isn’t good, and good work isn’t cheap.” Still painfully true.

2. Choosing Cheap Materials That Don’t Hold Up

Just Add Paint recommends using high- quality paint — High performance products are worth the spend. Paint is not a good place to save money.

Paint is not paint. Not all coatings are created equal, and choosing bargain products can lead to:

Poor washability
Premature wear
Fading
Scuffing
Sticky trim that never quite dries right

We regularly hear: “It looked great for about six months…”

High-quality materials cost more upfront—but they last longer, look better, and save money over time. This is especially true for kitchen cabinets, trim, doors, and high-traffic areas.

3. Skipping Ceilings or Trim to “Save Money”

Freshly Painted Walls, but the ceiling was not painted — We recommend painting your ceilings if they look like this. Dirty ceilings stand out after walls are painted.

This one hurts a little—because it’s so common.

Freshly painted walls have an amazing way of making everything else look… tired. Suddenly, the ceilings feel dingy. The trim looks scuffed. The doors look like they’ve lived a hard life.

You don’t always have to paint everything, but selectively skipping major surfaces often leads to instant regret and a second project sooner than expected.

Helpful hint: If you are debating skipping ONE of these, make it the trim. Adding trim after painting the walls is easier than adding a ceiling.

4. Going All-In on Bold Influencer Trends

We love creativity. We really do.

But what looks amazing in a perfectly staged influencer reel doesn’t always translate to real homes with real lighting, real furniture, and real daily life.

Deep blacks, ultra-matte finishes, dramatic color blocking, and niche trends can overwhelm a space—or feel dated surprisingly fast. The biggest regret here usually sounds like:

“It looked great online… but not in our house.”

Design trends should support your space, not fight it.

5. Not Using Full-Size Samples

Those tiny color cards? They lie. Politely—but they lie.

Lighting changes everything. Morning vs. evening. Sunny vs. cloudy. North-facing vs. south-facing rooms. A full-size sample on your actual wall is the only honest way to see a color.

Skipping this step is one of the fastest ways to end up repainting a room you just finished. We recommend the company Samplie.com for quick, easy, 11×14″ sticky back samples from all major manufacturers. Usually delivered in 2 days for less than a sample quart.

6. Painting Before Other Projects Are Done

Say it with us: Painting comes last.

Flooring, cabinetry, countertops, trim carpentry—all of those projects involve tools, ladders, and heavy materials. Even the best contractors accidentally scuff walls or ding fresh finishes.

Contractors who need work do not always consider the best order of the trades. Their 1st question should be, “Will you be doing other renovations in your home?” so they can schedule accordingly. But don’t hold your breath…

Painting last protects your investment and your sanity.

7. Hiring a Family Member Who’s “Between Jobs”

Top Regrets People Have After Not Hiring a Professional Painting Company — Hiring out of work family members to paint your house can be costly. Call Just Add Paint instead.

We’re all for helping people—but your home is not a training ground.

We’ve seen well-intentioned family projects end in:

Crooked cut lines
Drips everywhere
Improper prep
The need to replace cabinets
Emotional tension at Thanksgiving

If you want to be charitable, donate to a cause. Hire professionals to work on your house.

8. Picking the Wrong Sheen (And Ignoring Advice)

Flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss… sheen matters more than most people realize.

Choosing the wrong one can:

Highlight imperfections
Show fingerprints instantly
Be impossible to clean
Or reflect light in all the wrong ways

When painters recommend a specific sheen, it’s not personal—it’s experience talking.

9. Waiting Until the Last Minute to Hire a Painter

Good painters are booked months in advance. Full stop.

Waiting until you’re “in a hurry” limits your options, increases stress, and often costs more. Planning ahead gives you access to better contractors, better scheduling, and better results.

Helpful Hint #2: Even the best contractors have fewer projects and often offer discounts during the winter months.

10. Hovering and Micromanaging the Crew

Watching paint dry is already a cliché—standing over painters while it happens doesn’t help.

Professional crews work in sequences. What looks unfinished at noon is often intentional. Trust the process.

If you feel like you need to micromanage every step, it’s usually a sign you hired the wrong company.

11. Not Being Able to Make a Decision

We can paint almost anything. But we can’t choose for you.

Changing your mind repeatedly mid-project leads to delays, added costs, and frustration for everyone involved. Thoughtful decisions upfront make the entire process smoother—and far more enjoyable.

BONUS Regret.

Bad paint job — Disney Rooms. Fun now, expensive later.

Allowing young children to pick their own colors. Yes, it will make you a hero in the short term! However, it will become expensive in a 1-2 years as they outgrow it. Be advised that Disney-themed rooms are typically short-lived.

Final Thoughts from Just Add Paint

At Just Add Paint, we believe painting should be fun, collaborative, and stress-free—not a lesson in regret. Most of the issues above are completely avoidable with good communication, realistic expectations, and experienced professionals.

If you’re planning a painting project in Mechanicsburg or the surrounding area, let’s do it right the first time. Your future self will thank you.

And your walls will too.