How to organize painting the stairwell

Step 1, check what’s under the paint. If the plaster is crumbling or the wall is damp, painting without proper prep will fail within a year. Deal with the cause first, then paint.

Step 2, agree on the scope. Walls only, or also the ceiling, handrails, door frames, the mailbox wall, and the electrical panels.

Step 3, choose the colors. The most practical solution is a light shade on top and a darker one on the lower wainscot section, since scuffs show less there.

Step 4, decide and fund it. The work is approved by the owners’ meeting or an authorized representative. The money usually comes from the building’s reserve fund.

Step 5, warn the residents. When it starts, how long it takes, and when they can’t walk on the freshly painted surfaces.

How long it takes. Painting one stairwell in full realistically takes about three days.

What to do at the same time. Swap the bulbs for LEDs with motion sensors and fix the door closer. One set of scaffolding covers several jobs.