Use a rough estimate of your house size to get a ballpark idea of how much a professional paint job will cost. Try doing a search online using terms like “painting cost estimate for 2,500 square foot home interior.” Keep in mind that interior painting is typically more expensive than exterior painting due to differences in the type of materials and labor involved.  For example, according to the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America, it costs between $3,000 and $5,000 to paint the outside of a 2,500 sq ft (230 m2) house, and between $3,750 and $7,500 to paint the interior of a house of the same size. These estimates typically include the costs of materials as well as labor. In addition to looking at how big your house is, consider how you want it painted. Factor in details such as how many colors of paint you want, how many doors, window frames, and other trim elements will need painting, and whether you’ll want the ceilings painted as well. Write down all these details so you can get a more exact price estimate from potential painters. If you’re planning to drastically change the colors of any surfaces, you may need multiple coats of paint to get the color you want. There are a number of painting cost calculators online that can give you a more precise estimate based on the square footage of your home as well as factors like the number of colors you plan to use, the amount of detail work that’s needed, and where you live. Try a calculator like the ones available at http://www.remodelingcalculator.org or on the Home Advisor website.  You’ll need to provide information such as the area of your home in square feet, how many doors and windows need to be painted, how many floors your home has, whether or not you want the moldings and ceilings painted, and whether it’s a paint job for a newly constructed home or a renovation on an older one. These calculators include the costs of materials and labor. Once you have an idea of the standard price ranges for house painting in your area, you’ll have a better sense of whether a potential painter is offering you a good deal. Do a search for contractors in your area and call up a few of them to get pricing estimates. Compare the estimates you receive and choose the best one.  Ask your friends and family for recommendations, or use a crowd-sourced directory like Angie’s List or Yelp to find reviews of painters in your area. Ideally, you should have each potential contractor come to your home so they can assess the job and give you a more accurate estimate. Make sure you provide the square footage of your home as well as other details, like how many doors and windows need to be painted and whether they’ll need to cover or remove old paint. Most professional painters will estimate their pricing based on a combination of factors, including the cost of paints and other materials as well as the cost of labor. Work with your painter to get an estimate of how much it will cost to paint your house based on the amount of work they’ll need to do as well as the size of the area they have to cover.  Many painters charge about $20 per hour in labor costs. Labor includes not only the time spent painting, but also time spent doing preparatory work such as power washing, scraping away old paint, or taping off areas you want painted in a different color. The total cost will likely be roughly twice the basic cost of materials and labor. This is because your painter may also need to cover the costs of things like marketing, insurance, subcontractors, and other expenses not directly associated with your paint job. They need to factor those things into their prices to make a profit. To calculate the price per square foot of a professional paint job, look at the total cost estimate, including materials, labor, and any other fees. Divide this number by the approximate area of your home. For example, perhaps you’ve received an estimate of $6,750 total for the interior and exterior of your 2,500 sq ft (230 m2) home. The approximate price per square foot would be $2.70.

Summary: Look up standard painting price ranges for your house size. Write down how many surfaces need painting and what colors you want. Use a paint cost calculator to get a more detailed estimate. Call at least 3 local painters for price estimates. Ask potential painters for a breakdown of their pricing. Divide the total cost estimate by the square footage of your house.


Whether you’re shaving or trimming “down there,” always keep in mind that you’re dealing with skin that’s extra-sensitive and often thinner and looser than elsewhere. Use your free hand to pull the skin taut before you pass over the hair with your trimmer or razor. This is especially important if you’re grooming the hair on your scrotum. Invest in a good set of grooming clippers and maintain them according to the product instructions. Make sure your razor is clean and sharp as well. Use the same techniques as elsewhere on your body--just work even more slowly and carefully! Use the trimmer to cut down on the length of your pubic hair. You can either leave it trimmed for a sculpted look, move on to shaving it for a clean look, or try a part-trimmed and part-shaved combination. There are many pubic hair styles to choose from, but it mostly comes down to personal preference. Generally speaking, though, the more interested you are in highlighting your “package,” the less hair you should keep. Never try to shave your pubic hair without trimming it down to 0.125 in (3.2 mm) or less first. The long, dense, curly hairs will get caught in your razor and you’ll end up yanking them out—ouch! Trim first, then shave using proper shaving strategies—warm water, lots of shaving cream, a sharp razor, short strokes in the direction of hair growth, a cool water rinse, and aftershave. Don’t skimp on the aftershave. Your skin is sensitive in this area, and will become very irritated otherwise. Reapply the aftershave for a few days afterward if needed. This is the hard-to-see (and reach) area between your scrotum and your anus. If you trim or shave the hair in your groin area, though, any hair on your perineum will become more noticeable. Cut it back to the same length as the hair in your groin area.  There’s no simple way to reach this area with a trimmer or razor. Standing up or sitting on the edge of the tub, the toilet, or a bench may work best for you. No matter if you’re standing or sitting, spread out your legs and use your free hand to both lift your scrotum out of the way and pull the perineum skin taut. Let’s be frank here—you don’t want unsightly hair growing out of your butt crack if you’ve gone to all the trouble of manscaping everywhere else. This, of course, isn’t an ideal place for a trimmer or razor. Instead, use an epilator, a handheld device that grabs and pulls out multiple hairs at once.  Yes, this will hurt a little, but remind yourself that it will complete your look! You can find epilators alongside trimmers and electric razors at major retailers. They may be located with women's razors and trimmers, but they're great for manscaping too!
Summary: Pull the skin taut and work carefully, no matter your strategy. Start with a trimmer even if you plan on shaving. Shave, if desired, with a sharp razor and lots of shaving cream and aftershave. Trim and/or shave your perineum as well. Use an epilator to deal with any problematic hair on your backside.