7 Key Differences Between Commercial vs Residential Painting
There’s a common misconception that all painters work with the same project types. Whether you’re brightening up your kitchen with freshly painted cabinets, coating your exterior with a new hue, or adding some color to an office, it’s all the same process.
In this article, you’ll learn the critical differences between commercial painters and residential.
In reality, different painting jobs require different expertise. That’s especially true when it comes to commercial vs. residential painting. And the more you understand what separates them, the better equipped you’ll be to hire the right contractors for the job.
So, what are the key differences in understanding commercial vs. residential painting? How do they relate? And is it essential to find painters with experience in one over the other?
These questions and more are exactly what we’re looking at in the guide below. And with it, you’ll understand what makes these two painting project types so different.
Table of Contents
- 1. Size of the Painting Team
- 2. Complexity of the Equipment
- 3. Type of Paint
- 4. Experience of the Painters
- 5. Scheduling of the Work
- 6. Services Available
- 7. Risk of an Accident
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Size of the Painting Team
One of the most significant differences between commercial vs. residential painting is usually the size of the projects.
With residential painting projects, painting teams are usually tackling the interiors or exteriors of:
- Houses
- Condominiums
- Townhouses
- Apartments
- Other living spaces
With commercial painting, the focus is on the interiors and exteriors of:
- Offices
- Manufacturing facilities
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Restaurants
- Retail spaces
Commercial painting may also entail painting equipment like manufacturing machines. Commercial painters may also take on painting multi-family buildings like apartments or condominiums.
As you can imagine, most commercial painting jobs will be larger than residential projects. And the bigger the scale, the more painters needed to finish the job.
2. Complexity of the Equipment
Residential painting usually won’t require equipment that’s too complex. Rollers, paintbrushes, drop cloths, paint, ladders, and other items may all be required. A few prep tools might also be involved, like tape, scrapers, and power washers.
For commercial painting projects, the equipment list will likely be more extensive. Sandblasters, paint sprayers, aerial lifts, scaffolding, and more may all be required. If you’re working with a residential painter on a commercial project, they may not have the right tools to do the job.
3. Type of Paint
The paint type also plays with residential vs. commercial painters’ differences.
For instance, residential paints are usually oil-based, water-based, or latex-based. They come in a variety of sheens. And the primary goal of the paints is to look great.
With commercial paints, on the other hand, there’s more to take into consideration. Looks are undoubtedly crucial for customer-facing jobs. But the right coat of paint can also help:
- Prevent corrosion
- Fireproof equipment
- Reduce energy consumption
Paints with these qualities require different handling and application techniques than residential paints.
4. Experience of the Painters
Painters with only commercial or residential projects will usually have different skills.
When it comes to commercial painters may be exceptionally skilled in the speed of applying the paint. They may be well-versed in how to use safety equipment effectively. And they may be more prepared to handle the logistics of larger jobs.
On the other hand, residential painters are experts at helping clients better understand their needs (type of paint, required repair work, choosing paint colors and textures, etc.).
Try to find a painting contractor with experience in both sectors for the best of both worlds.
5. Scheduling of the Work
Time is money. And every minute a business has its door shut is a lost opportunity for revenue.
That’s why many commercial paint jobs are performed irregularly—to accommodate the business’s operating hours. Some jobs may be completed after closing so as not to disturb customers. Others will take place between shifts at manufacturing facilities to avoid expensive downtime.
This is why commercial painters tend to be a bit more flexible with their scheduling. On the other hand, residential painters may only work during typical business hours.
6. Services Available
Project scope is another significant difference between residential and commercial paint projects.
On the one hand, there’s the project’s sheer size, which will, of course, affect how many painters you’ll need on the job.
But beyond that, there’s also the prep work and other services involved.
For residential projects, those services may include:
- Interior painting
- Exterior painting
- Staining
- Power washing
- Ceiling painting
- Cabinet painting
- Wood repair and replacement
- Caulking and sealing
- Deck and fence painting and staining
- Drywall repair
- Sanding and scraping
Those services may come into play in commercial jobs, too. But beyond those, a commercial painting project may also require:
- Brick waterproofing
- Concrete ceiling repair
- Masonry coating and repairs
- Rebranding and signage
- Roof coatings
- Stenciling
- Stucco painting and repair
- Waterproof coating
7. Risk of an Accident
Lastly, commercial painters will likely be better at maintaining proper safety protocols.
True, residential contractors may still be in dangerous situations as homes can be several stories high. But with commercial painting contractors, the risks of on-site injuries are much higher. They can fall from great heights too, but the equipment may also hurt commercial painters at the commercial property.
They’ll probably also need to submit reports and adhere to strict safety protocols set out by the business itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about commercial vs. residential painting.
What Does Commercial Painting Mean?
Commercial painting is applying paint to commercial buildings like:
- Offices
- Manufacturing facilities
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Restaurants
- Retail spaces
A commercial painting job can focus on painting exteriors, interiors, or specific commercial equipment.
Commercial painting jobs are larger and more complex than residential jobs due to the project scope, unique services, scheduling, and more.
Is Commercial Painting More Expensive Than Residential?
Commercial paint jobs will be more significant in scale than residential ones, so the final price tag is generally higher. However many commercial customers will prioritize speed over quality (to a degree), meaning the cost per foot may be lower.
Ultimately, there’s no easy answer because everything depends on the project’s scope. For instance, a low-quality slop job on the interior of a residential home will cost less per foot than a commercial job that requires extensive prep and safety harnesses. Simply put, it just depends.
What Is the Going Rate for Commercial Painting?
HomeAdvisor says commercial painting costs $2 to $6 per square foot.
However, those costs can vary substantially based on your project. The following factors can significantly influence final costs:
- Safety protocols needed (one-story vs. multi-story building)
- Paint quality
- Surface prep work required
- Extra services (equipment painting, etc.)
- Schedule
Where Can I Find Residential and Commercial Painters?
As you can see, commercial vs. residential painting has plenty of differences. If you want to get the job done right, you must ensure you’re working with a contractor experienced in the appropriate field. And if you’re lucky, you may be able to find a painting contractor with extensive experience in both.
That’s where HBP Painting Contractors comes in.
For over 30 years, we’ve provided quality painting services to St. Charles and the surrounding St. Louis area.
We employ only vetted, highly-skilled technicians at HBP—no subcontractors here. That means we can ensure a beautiful finish that meets our daily standards.
We proudly use only the best Sherwin-Williams products and follow a proven 6-step quality assurance process. The result is exceptional workmanship and superior durability to last for years.
Best of all, our technicians are experienced in residential and commercial painting standards. So whether you’re looking to brighten up your living room with a new coat of paint or need a talented team of contractors to tackle a large commercial job, we can help.
Our dedication to outstanding quality and service is why we’ve earned 5 out of 5 stars on Google, Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau.
So if you’re looking for residential or commercial painters to get the job done right the first time, we’d love to help.
Get in touch today for your free consultation and estimate.
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