Paintwork or Flooring First? Making the Decision in Home Construction Process

Paintwork or Flooring First? Making the Decision in Home Construction Process

When building a 3 bedroom house in Kenya, it is important to carefully plan and coordinate the various stages of construction in order to ensure that the project is completed efficiently and effectively. The order in which various tasks, such as paintwork and tiling, are completed will depend on a number of factors, including the type of flooring, paint materials being used, and the preferences of the homeowner.

Generally, painting should be done before laying down the flooring, as it can be difficult to properly clean the freshly laid flooring without damaging it. This can be from paint spills, sprays, and falling of tools or other items required to carry out paintwork.

 Furthermore, painting the walls prior to laying the flooring allows for a more seamless transition between the two surfaces.

In this article, we’ll discuss the main steps/ stages in construction process that includes both painting and flooring first so you can make an informed decision when planning your project.

Let’s get started!

When building a house, the order in which you do the paintwork and tiling can vary depending on a number of factors. In general, painting should be done before the flooring or tiling work. There is a logical reason behind this. If you do flooring and then painting, in that case, you need to protect the floor from paint spills, sprays, and falling of tools or other items required to carry out paintwork. Your expensive flooring may get spoiled due to the paint spills, sprays, and falling of tools.

You will however need to  do  paint touch up after flooring finish. 

Some people suggest masking the flooring but I am afraid I have seen in many project sites flooring getting spoiled due to the painting work process. Afterward even the cleaning work needs a lot of time and effort to clean those paint spots or marks.

However carefully you do it, still, some marks will remain forever like scratches. So it is better to do the painting work first and then flooring. In India, though contractors do not follow this rule.

They finish all other work even fixing of bath fittings and electric switches etc and do the painting work in the last. I have seen paint marks not only on the flooring but also on bath fittings and other fixtures. This disgrace the look of the entire work. Advisable is pain first, then flooring.

12 Main Steps/ Stages In Construction Process

Building a house involves a number of different stages, regardless of where it is located. Some of the key stages in building a house in Kenya would likely include the following:

1. Planning and design: The first stage of building a house is to plan and design it. This involves creating detailed drawings and specifications that will be used to guide the construction process.
2. Procurement of materials: Once the design of the house is finalized, the next step is to procure all of the necessary materials. This may include things like bricks, mortar, concrete, steel, and other building materials.
3. Excavation and foundation work: The next step is to excavate the site and lay the foundation for the house. This typically involves digging a hole for the foundation, pouring concrete, and setting steel reinforcement bars.
4. Construction of the walls: Once the foundation is in place, the next step is to start building the walls of the house. This typically involves laying bricks or concrete blocks, and filling the gaps between them with mortar.
5. Installation of roofing: The next step is to install the roof of the house. This typically involves laying down a layer of roofing felt, followed by shingles or other roofing materials.
6. Installation of windows and doors: The next step is to install the windows and doors of the house. This involves cutting openings in the walls and installing the windows and doors according to the design specifications.
7. Installation of plumbing and electrical systems: The next step is to install the plumbing and electrical systems of the house. This involves running pipes and wires throughout the house, and connecting them to the main water and power supplies.
8. Plastering and painting: Once the roof is in place, the next step is to plaster and paint the walls of the house. This involves applying a layer of plaster to the walls, and then painting them with the desired color. Note that it is best to do the paintwork after the tiling is complete, as this will allow the tiles to be properly sealed and protected. This will also prevent any paint from getting on the tiles, which can be difficult to clean off and may affect the overall appearance of the finished room. You can do  paint touch up after flooring finish.
9. Flooring: The next step is to install the flooring of the house. This typically involves laying down a subfloor, followed by the finished flooring material, such as tile, wood, or carpet.
10. Installation of fixtures and fittings: The next step is to install the fixtures and fittings of the house. This may include things like sinks, toilets, and light fixtures.
11. Final inspection and approval: Before the house is considered complete, it must undergo a final inspection by a building inspector. If the inspector approves the house, it will be deemed habitable and ready for occupancy.
12. Move-in: Once the house has passed inspection and is deemed habitable, the final step is to move in and make it your home. This may involve unpacking and arranging furniture, and getting settled in your new space.