How to Save Money on Paint -Without Sacrificing Results!
Our cousin Jim in Elgin loves painting. He finds it relaxing—almost therapeutic. But recently, he called me frustrated: “I want to repaint my living room, but Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore paint is so expensive! I’m tempted to go with the cheap stuff.” So that was the inspriation of todays article- How to Save Money on Paint!
Jim’s comments is something we hear often at D’Franco Painting & Wallpaper. You want professional results without professional prices. You deserve better options than choosing between breaking your budget or settling for inferior results.
You Asked, We’re Answering: How Can You Actually Save on Quality Paint?
“Is cheaper paint really more expensive in the long run?”
The math doesn’t lie. (and if you know me- for me to reference math is a almost laughable) Cheap-Budget paint typically requires:
- 3-4 coats versus 1-2 coats with quality paint
- Repainting 1-2 years sooner
- More time (your weekend is valuable too!)
- less washability
Real Numbers: Two gallons of premium paint at $45 each ($90) will outperform three gallons of budget paint at $25 each ($75), while lasting years longer and saving hours of labor.
“When’s the best time to buy paint to get a discount?”
Paint stores don’t advertise this, but they run predictable sales cycles that insiders know about:
- Most premium brands run 25-30% off sales every 4-6 weeks
- Holiday weekends feature the deepest discounts
- Many stores have unadvertised “contractor days” open to everyone
What to ask: “When’s your next paint sale scheduled?” Store staff usually-know this information but may not volunteer it -unless asked directly.
“What are ‘mistints’ and are they worth buying?”
This might be the industry’s best-kept secret:
- These are premium paints that were mixed but never purchased
- Discounts typically range from 50-75% off retail
- Perfect for garages, closets, or when color flexibility exists
Insider tip: Visit stores Monday mornings after weekend returns are processed! If your in our local area- head over to Sherwin Williams in Crystal Lake!! Scott is the man!!! They are one of the training locations, so they tend to have a few more mis tinted paint gallons than other stores. Either way, just call and ask.
When we were working with a customer in Algonquin, and the painting job was to paint the interior to help improve the look and feel of the home before it was listed for sale. Using our Mistint Monday Promotion (finding mistints to paint your home) we bought 11 gallons of white ppaint, 3 different shades of white, mixed them together and instead of paying $465 for paint- we paid $75.00! They saved money, have a house with one uniform color and sheen, and took their beige and dated home to clean and crisp sale ready!!
“How can I get contractor pricing if I’m not a contractor?”
You ask someone!
This is exactly how I helped our cousin Jim save money on his living room project:
- Jim told me exactly what paint and colors he wanted
- I ordered it through our D’Franco contractor account
- He picked it up directly from Sherwin-Williams and paid for it himself
- He got our contractor discount, and I maintained my volume purchasing status
It was a win-win arrangement.
Jim got premium paint (emerald) at contractor prices, and the purchase counted toward my business volume discounts. He was thrilled to use top-quality paint while being under budget.
“Do paint store loyalty accounts actually save money?”
Unlike meaningless points programs, paint store accounts provide tangible benefits:
- Color formula records for perfect touch-ups years later
- Many offer “new account” one-time discounts
- Some provide incremental savings as your purchases increase
- Personalized recommendations that prevent expensive mistakes
- They are paint stores- they know paint, and they can tell you differences bwteeen paints and brands
Key difference: Big box stores track purchases; specialty paint retailers track your specific needs and preferences.
“Is buying paint in bulk worth it for home projects?”
Um- YES!
The savings are substantial when you scale up:
- 5-gallon buckets typically save 15-20% per gallon
- Multiple-gallon orders often trigger automatic tiered discounts
- For whole-house projects, this can mean hundreds in savings
Not sure how much you need? Check our guide on “How to Measure a room” .
“Why should I shop at a specialty paint store instead of a big box retailer?”
The value goes far beyond the can of paint:
- Expert color matching prevents expensive do-overs
- Staff can identify the right product for specific conditions
- They’ll recommend appropriate tools that improve coverage
- Professional advice helps you buy the right amount the first time
Value beyond price: When that knowledgeable salesperson prevents you from using the wrong sheen or product, they’ve saved you hundreds. (read more about paint sheens here)
“Do paint stores offer email or social media discounts?”
Digital channels now offer some of the best savings:
- Email subscribers get advance notice of flash sales
- Social media followers receive exclusive coupon codes (often 10-15% off)
- Some brands offer app-exclusive offers not available in-store
Digital strategy: Create a dedicated email account for these subscriptions to keep your primary inbox clutter-free.
“Does it really matter what roller or brush I use?”
This question comes up constantly, and the savings are significant:
- Premium rollers hold up to 30% more paint per load
- Quality brushes reduce streaking that requires extra coats
- Better sleeves mean less splatter too!
- and verify the right roller for the paint your buying we have learned there is a difference!
False economy: Saving $5 on a roller that wastes $15 worth of paint makes no financial sense.
“How do I avoid buying too much paint?”
Most people overspend by 15-20% due to incorrect calculations: See above link on measureing a room.
- Measure each wall’s height × width
- Subtract large openings (sliding doors, picture windows)
- Check the actual coverage on the paint can (typically 350-400 sq ft/gallon)
- Factor in surface porosity and color change
Smart math: A standard 10×12 room with 8-foot ceilings and standard doors/windows usually requires just over one gallon for a single coat. If your room gets over 400 sf, you are getting close to a second gallon. If 30% of the room or more is windows or doors then you can get by with 1 gallon.
Even Pros Need Guides Sometimes
At D’Franco Painting & Wallpaper, we’ve been helping homeowners throughout Chicago’s northwest suburbs make smart decisions about paint and wallcoverings for years. While we’re happy to share these money-saving tips for DIYers, remember that hiring professionals often provides the best long-term value:
- We already have the contractor discounts
- Our expertise prevents costly mistakes
- Our efficiency means less wasted material
- We guarantee our results
“D’Franco helped me get quality paint at contractor prices for my DIY project. When I saw their professional work at my neighbor’s house, I hired them for my next room. Best decision ever.” — Jennifer K., Barrington
Ready to Stop Overpaying for Paint?
Whether you want expert advice for your DIY project, help accessing contractor discounts, or you’d like us to handle everything, the next step is simple:
Call: (555) 123-4567
Email: info@dfrancopainting.com
Book a Free Consultation: https://dfrancowallpaper.com/contact-us/
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