Summer is the perfect time to give your Southeast Michigan home a fresh new look. With warm weather and longer days, it’s ideal for tackling those exterior and interior painting projects. However, many homeowners unknowingly make mistakes that cost them time, money, and quality results. Worse, hiring a large franchise painter instead of a trusted local expert can turn a home upgrade into a major headache.
In this blog, we’ll explore the top five summer painting mistakes homeowners in Royal Oak, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Clawson, and surrounding areas often make—and how choosing Elegance Painting, your local Royal Oak painting company, helps you avoid them completely.
Painting in the Peak Heat of the Day
The Mistake: It may seem logical to take full advantage of summer’s daylight, but painting during the hottest part of the day—typically between 10 AM and 4 PM—can lead to poor results. Paint dries too fast, causing issues like streaking, bubbling, or uneven coverage.
Why It’s a Problem: Southeast Michigan summers can be hot and humid, especially in cities like Royal Oak and Huntington Woods. When temperatures rise above 85°F, paint dries before it can properly bond to surfaces. This leads to premature cracking and peeling.
How to Avoid It: Paint during cooler times: early mornings (before 10 AM) or late afternoons (after 4 PM). At Elegance Painting, we plan our projects around ideal temperature windows to ensure a smooth, durable finish.
Skipping Proper Surface Preparation
The Mistake: Rushing through prep work or skipping it altogether is one of the most common painting errors. This includes skipping power washing, sanding, or repairing cracks and holes.
Why It’s a Problem: Homes in Ferndale,Clawson, and other parts of Metro Detroit face year-round exposure to sun, rain, snow, and road salt. Without proper prep, contaminants like dirt, mildew, or flaking paint interfere with adhesion, resulting in peeling or uneven coverage.
How to Avoid It: Always start with a clean surface. Power wash, sand, and patch any flaws. A quality primer is essential, especially on wood. At Elegance Painting, we never cut corners on prep work—our detailed process is part of what makes us a top-rated painting company in Royal Oak MI.
Hiring a National Painting Franchise That Subcontracts Work
The Mistake: Many homeowners are lured by big-brand painting companies that subcontract their work. While they may promise quick turnarounds or low prices, you often sacrifice quality and personal attention.
Why It’s a Problem: Franchises often send subcontractors with little connection to the company, or to your neighborhood. They may rush the job or lack the skill and care needed for lasting results. Inconsistent crews lead to inconsistent outcomes.
How to Avoid It: Choose a locally owned painting company in Royal Oak like Elegance Painting. Our team is fully in-house—no subcontractors. We live and work in the same communities as our clients, and we treat every project like it’s our own home.
Using the Wrong Type of Paint for Michigan Weather
The Mistake: Choosing the wrong paint for your home’s exterior—or worse, using interior paint outdoors—is a common blunder. Many store-bought brands don’t hold up to Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles or summer humidity.
Why It’s a Problem: Homes in Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, and nearby towns experience intense seasonal swings. The wrong paint will quickly crack, fade, or attract mildew. It’s not just about color—it’s about climate compatibility.
How to Avoid It: Use high-performance, weather-resistant paints. At Elegance Painting, we only use top-tier paints designed specifically for Southeast Michigan’s climate—ensuring a long-lasting, beautiful result that adds value to your home.
Not Checking Reviews, Photos, or the Company Website
The Mistake: Price-shopping without doing your homework can be risky. Too many homeowners skip reading reviews, viewing project photos, or even checking if a company is local.
Why It’s a Problem: A low bid might mean cut corners or inferior materials. Without references or proof of quality work, it’s hard to know what you’re getting. Sadly, we’re often called to fix poor paint jobs done by others.
How to Avoid It: Before hiring any painter, review their Google reviews, browse their photo gallery, and confirm they’re a local Royal Oak painter with a strong reputation. At Elegance Painting, our website showcases completed projects in Ferndale,Berkley, Clawson, and beyond—plus testimonials from happy homeowners.
Why Hiring a Local Painter Is the Smart Choice
When you hire
Elegance Painting, you’re hiring neighbors—people who care about your satisfaction and have a deep understanding of Metro Detroit’s homes, architecture, and climate. We aren’t a franchise. We don’t subcontract. We deliver consistent, top-quality work every time.
From bungalows in Berkley to historic homes in Huntington Woods, we’ve helped homeowners all over the area enhance curb appeal, increase home value, and fall back in love with their space.
Contact Elegance Painting Today
Avoid the common painting pitfalls and trust your home to a company that’s proudly local and proven. Whether it’s a full exterior repaint, interior transformation, or custom job, Elegance Painting is ready to help.
📍 Based in Royal Oak, MI
📞 Call us: (248) 677-1509
🌐 Visit: www.bloomfieldpainting.com
💬 Request a free estimate today!
