When it comes to home improvements, few projects provide the combination of low cost and high value that a fresh coat of paint can provide. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that painting the house, both the exterior and the interior, is one of the few home improvement projects that can actually pay for itself. The money you put into buying paints and supplies can more than pay for itself in increased home value, not to mention the psychological value such an improvement can bring to yourself and your family.

Of course it is important to make this do it yourself project look as professional as possible, and that means planning, hard work and patience. If you have never painted before, or if it has been awhile since your last painting project, it may be worth your while to take a quick refresher course. There are many such painting courses offered by home improvement stores and other such venues, so it should be easy to find such a course.

Likewise, if a friend or family member is a good handyman, it doesn