Cost of painting vs DIY

[Sarah D.]

It's 10pm. I'm about to start washing gross bathroom walls in the apartment we're renovating to prepare to sand and paint. I'm on BP because I don't want to do it...

I see  people talk about hiring painters that can knock out a job in a couple of days all the time. However, the prices I've gotten for painting are so expensive! Hence I do it myself. The only solace is the amount of money I'm saving. Where do you guys go to get it good and inexpensive painters? I've been quoted from $2000-$3000 for a 750 square-foot apartment ( that includes ceiling, trim, doors, walls).  I don't doubt they are worth it, but that's money that goes into the non-DIY line panel replacements. 

Side note, I love doing DIY while listening to podcasts about scaling up and hiring out; oh, the irony!

[Steve Vaughan]

If you can cut in free-hand, do it.  I don't even bother getting interior brush and roll painting bids anymore.  I would if I lived in Akron, though. Sheesh that's cheap! Exterior spraying I do hire.  

I do all I can to make sure I'm cutting in as much as possible.  That's my highest and best use. I hire my 2 boys and their buddys for washing, floor protecting and first coat rolling. Gives them experience and the all important principle that work = money.  They will NOT end up in my basement :)