How to get the most out of your new paint job:

• Spend enough time selecting colors and finishes. We can’t emphasize this enough. Buy the actual paint samples and apply two coats to a small portion of the walls. Observe the color in natural and artificial light. Consider the flow of color selections from one room to another. Try to maintain an equivalent color value among areas that flow together. Moving from a pastel to a bold tone is jarring.
  
• Declutter rooms to be painted before the painting crews arrive. While they will move and cover your furniture and floors, you are paying them to paint, not move small and/or delicate objects.
  
• Walk through the job with the foremen before they begin. Make sure that everyone is clear on what is being painted and what the correct color selections are.
  
• Walk through the job with the foremen at the end of each work day and at the end of the total job. Point out any areas that you are not fully satisfied with. Allow the foreman to revisit any problem areas and be sure to request paint for future touch up.
  
• When the inevitable scuff marks, hand prints and other stains mar the surface, address them immediately. If the finish you selected is washable, try clear water applied with a clean, soft cloth first. If that doesn't remove the stain, use a very mild dishwashing liquid diluted with warm water. Rinse the spot with clear water. If you cannot wash the surface, grab the touch-up paint.