Expert: Dan Griffin - 7/13/2008

Question
sir, I am presently building my home and am at the point that I am ready to paint the interior. My question is what do I need to have completed right before the finish carpenter comes in to trim,i.e.,baseboard,set cabinets,wrap windows? thank you for your time

Answer
Mark, I have no way to answer your question.

I'm doing some guessing here that you are the painter.  I am assuming the texture work is complete.  Drywall walls and ceilings?  Drywall returns to the windows?  Who is setting the cabinets?  Are the baseboards, doors, and trim paint grade or stain?

A few thoughts:
The trend these days seems to be painted trim and doors.  Most painters are almost the last trade out, carpet and floors are last.  Painters want everything finalized.  They cut in and finish walls, etc.

I am confused by your question.  You can go in and prime and 1 or 2 coat the gyp walls.  Be aware that you may be painting it a third time for dings and dents.  You can enamel the doors and all the trim, usually in the garage.  They will need to be filled, puttied,caulked, and recoated once installed, but it seems to be much easier with the prepaint for me rather than cutting in all coats.  Painters just figure it's part of the job and see no advantage to prepainting.

I don't know if I've answered your question - but you have my best guessing with the information provided.