Most professionals will be able to tell you how much paint will be needed and will have the right equipmet so you won't have any "thin" spots, where there is less paint than on other areas of the walls. This brief interview will help us find a professional who can help you with your interior painting job. Interior paints are usually less costly than exterior paints because they use less durable, less expensive pigments and resins.

There are two types of house paints and stains: water-based (latex) and solvent-based (oil or alkyd). Water-based paint is thinned with water. Solvent-based paint is thinned with turpentine, a prepared paint thinner, or a similar solvent.

Because solvent-based paints dry to a harder finish and adhere better to new wood, poorly prepared surfaces, and metal, they traditionally have been favored for interior trim, as well as bathroom and kitchen walls where durability is important. But because the solvents they contain emit noxious fumes, air quality standards have forced the development and use of a variety of water-based alternatives. Water-based paints are now preferred for interior walls -- as they are less likely to crack and peel, dry faster, emit less offensive fumes and are much easier to clean up.

Paint is sold with varying degrees of luster, from flat to gloss. As a rule, the glossier the paint's finish, the more durable and washable the paint. But flat paints do a much better job of hiding surface imperfections. That's why flat paints are usually used for walls and gloss or semigloss enamels highlight the trim.

Many projects are best left to professionals to get the job done right the first time, even if it is a small project. Although a "small" job may mean different things to different people, when it comes to painting it usually refers to a job to keep one painter busy for a day or two. It may mean painting one or two rooms instead of the entire interior, repainting one cracked and peeling front door, staining a new built-in bookcase to match existing cabinetry, or painting only the trim of a stucco home.

Some painting companies can't do small projects during their busiest painting seasons, typically late spring through fall, because they're too busy with large exterior projects while the weather is ideal. Sometimes it may be advisable to wait for a less busy time of the year to have small paint jobs done. Some small jobs may have to squeezed in between larger jobs; for instance, it doesn't take long to paint a single door or cabinet, but a painter may have to make several trips on different days to allow the paint to dry between multiple coats.

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com