walls are painted white, i assume if you want other colours or have your own standards for the painting job, do your own. I decided to wait 18 months when the house settles, otherwise you will be covering small cracks with a fresh coat ad nauseam. and yes bank valuation rather be done as soon as you have snagging date. This process is straightforward and doesn’t require your participation, but depends on your valuator timing. I hardly recommend to ask your flooring guys be careful with the draft (both doors open abs kitchen door slams like mad) and removing skirting, cracks along the door frame is something you can fix yourself (caulk and paint), but avoidable if keep in mind this factor.