Ever wonder why something as straightforward as painting your house can end up taking far longer than expected?
Many homeowners dive into interior or exterior house painting projects thinking it’ll be done in a week only to find themselves still surrounded by ladders and paint cans a month later. It’s frustrating, disruptive, and frankly, avoidable. With proper planning, that is.
At Southern Highlands Painting and Wallpapering, we’ve seen it all. From jobs delayed by endless rain to last-minute colour changes that throw everything off course. With years of experience painting homes across the Highlands, we know exactly where projects can stumble, and more importantly, how you can steer clear of those traps.
In this blog, you’ll discover the five most common reasons house painting projects get delayed and how you can dodge each one. If you’re wondering how long it really takes to paint a house, these tips will put you firmly in control, helping your project run smoother and faster.
Top 5 Common Causes of House Painting Delays (And How to Avoid Them)
1. Bad Weather Conditions
If you’re planning an exterior house painting project, weather is your number one wild card. Even a light drizzle or unexpected cold snap can put your plans on hold. Paint simply doesn’t bond properly to damp or freezing surfaces, which can lead to patchy, peeling results down the road. And this is not what you want after investing all that time and money, right?
How to avoid it:
Keep a close eye on the weather forecast in the lead-up to your project. If you’re working with a professional team, they should already be factoring in weather windows. For DIY painters, aim for dry, mild days, ideally above 10°C and not too humid. It’s better to delay by a day or two than to rush and end up with a subpar finish.
2. Poor Surface Preparation
It’s tempting to think you can slap a coat of paint over your walls and call it a day. But trust us — if the surface isn’t properly prepared, you’re setting yourself up for a longer, messier project. Cracks, peeling paint, dirt, and grease all stop paint from adhering properly. Rushing through prep can mean having to redo sections, fix imperfections later, or worse — start over completely.
How to avoid it:
Spend the time upfront to do it right. That means cleaning surfaces thoroughly, sanding back old flaky paint, filling in cracks, and applying the right primer where needed. A good professional painter will never skip these steps, and neither should you. Remember: proper preparation saves days of fixing mistakes later on.
3. Changing Your Mind Mid-Project
It happens more often than you’d think: you pick a colour, the painters get started, and suddenly you’re second-guessing your decision. Changing your mind mid-project can cause major delays. New colours may require extra coats, extra materials, and extra time, especially if your new choice is dramatically lighter or darker than the original.
How to avoid it:
Take your time choosing colours and finishes before work begins. Paint large test patches on your walls and live with them for a few days. Look at them in different lights: morning sun, afternoon shade, and evening lamplight. Confident choices upfront mean you won’t lose days (or sleep) later on.
4. Unexpected Repairs
You can’t always see what’s lurking beneath the surface. Sometimes, once old paint is stripped away or surfaces are cleaned, hidden problems like rotten timber, cracks, water damage, or even mould pop up. These issues must be fixed properly before any painting can continue and that can add days, or even weeks, to the project.
How to avoid it:
Before starting, do a thorough inspection of your walls, ceilings, and exterior surfaces. Look for soft spots, damp patches, or signs of cracking and peeling. If you’re working with a professional painting team, they should flag any concerns early and recommend fixes before painting begins. Being proactive can help you avoid nasty surprises halfway through the job.
5. Hiring the Wrong Painting Team
Not all painting teams are created equal. Hiring inexperienced, underprepared, or disorganised painters is one of the fastest ways to run into project delays. Missed deadlines, poor workmanship, lack of communication. They can all leave you frustrated and wondering when (or if) the job will ever be finished.
How to avoid it:
Do your homework before hiring. Look for painters with strong local reputations, positive customer reviews, and a portfolio of completed projects. Ask clear questions about timelines, preparation processes, and how they handle unexpected issues. A professional team (like Southern Highlands Painting and Wallpapering) will be upfront, organised, and committed to sticking to the agreed schedule — saving you stress and keeping your project on track.
Are you ready to start your painting project?
Delays in house painting projects can be incredibly frustrating, but now you know they’re often completely avoidable.
By planning around the weather, making sure surfaces are properly prepared, choosing your colours carefully, addressing any repairs early, and hiring the right painting professionals, you’ll give your project the best possible chance of finishing on time (and looking amazing).
Whether you’re planning a fresh new look inside your home or giving your home exterior a much-needed refresh, a little smart planning goes a long way.
If you’re ready to enjoy a smooth, stress-free house painting experience, Southern Highlands Painting and Wallpapering is here to help — bringing experience, reliability, and a sharp eye for quality to every project.
Need advice on getting started? Reach out today and let’s talk about how we can make your painting project simple, beautiful, and right on schedule.