Should I use contractor grade paint to save money?

Well, you can, but I wouldn’t advise using contractor grade paint, except for a very few limited purposes. Sometimes paint manufacturers describe their contractor grade paints as “builder” or “commercial” grade. Building contractors may be working with a tight budget, and purchasing contractor grade paint is an easy way to save some money. Frequently, builders choose flat paint for walls. Contractor grade flats tend to be fast-drying and very flat. That means that the paint can be applied quickly, can be touched up when damaged during the home building process, and will look pretty good at first, even if the painter is not highly-skilled. That’s where the benefits of this type of paint tend to end.

Contractor grade paint will not offer the durability most homeowners desire. It is especially susceptible to moisture (water stains develop easily), and you shouldn’t expect it to be washable. I’m often hired to paint in recently-purchased new homes because the homeowner wants colors other than those used by the builder. I can tell immediately when a poor quality paint was used because the walls are chalky, and the first coat of paint I apply is absorbed as if the drywall had never been painted.

The color of low quality paint will fade more quickly, while a higher quality paint will retain its color much longer. I’ve been so impressed by the color retention of one of my favorite residential grade paints, which I used in my own home. Years after the initial painting, I did some touchup work and the color and sheen were still a perfect match.

Some contractor grade paints are better than others. But whether you’re having one room painted, or your entire home, the cost of using a good residential grade paint of considerably better quality is not that much more. I’m glad to guide you toward a paint that will meet your needs and serve you well for many years.