I just bought a new home and I'm planning to redo the baseboards while also giving the walls a fresh coat of paint. I'm trying to figure out the best order to do this: should I replace the baseboards first and then paint the walls, or the other way around? Or does it really not matter?
3 Answers
I recommend taking off the old baseboards first, then paint the walls, and finally install the new baseboards. When you install the new ones, you can caulk them for a better look and then do touch-ups where necessary. You’ll be glad you did it in that order!
I also agree with the approach of removing the baseboards first. It helps prevent any damage to the walls and avoids needing to touch up paint later since the caulking on new baseboards can mess it up. Mark them well when you take them off so you know where each piece goes back!
It's actually easier to remove the old baseboards before painting the walls. This way, you won't have to worry about cutting in or taping. Just replace the baseboards after painting to get a clean finish. Some people suggest painting the baseboards first too, so you don’t have to touch-up later, but I think removing them first saves a lot of hassle.