Consider Hiring a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always demands some forethought beyond color selection and decorative themes. Painting a room is not difficult. In fact, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself home improvement project. Nonetheless it is a job that places demands on your time and effort, financial limitations, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, ask yourself a few pre-determined questions.
• How much preparation am I going to be required to do and will I have available time to do it?
• Am I up to the difficult parts of the work, such as climbing ladders and moving furniture?
• Do I have the patience to learn a fresh skill, and can I accept that my initial progress might be slow and somewhat frustrating?
• Will I have the ability to live with a home left unfinished if I am called away or when I must return to work following the weekend?
• Are there parts of the job I could do but simply don't enjoy? Is there parts of the task I can do myself and parts I wish to contract out?
In case your answers to these questions cause you to opt to contract all or part of the job, then begin gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and neighbors and get their tips about contractors they used. Take a look at the work done for people you know so you can make sure the quality of the work meets your standards.
Then, contact at least three of the top contractors to go over the work you want to have done. Meet with all of them individually to understand the work and discuss the precise work details.
Interviewing Painting Contractors
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, and so forth), ask what will be done to get it ready for priming including which type and make of primer. Then ask your contractor about the finish coat, including the type and brand of the paint, how it'll be applied, its quality, and the number of coats. Make certain the contractor will use high quality paint. A quality acrylic latex paint may cost more initially, but its durability will save money in the long run.
• For exterior work, ask exactly what will be done to protect landscape plants. For interior work, find out how furniture will be protected and moved.
• Ask when the contractor can start the job and how long it will require. You should also know what remedy will be employed if the work is not completed as scheduled.
• Discuss the warranty on the work, how long it is, whether it covers both labor and materials, what kind of failures are covered (peeling, cracking, fading), and exactly what will be done to rectify such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will replace your costs if the contractor does not get the job done. Insurance will cover any injuries suffered by any of the workers. Without such insurance, you could be responsible for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damage done to your home.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for several previous customers. Call some of the references and ask if you can see the contractor's work.
• Get written estimates from at least 3 contractors. Be skeptical of any bids that are significantly higher or less than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly close to the other painter’s for the same work. The estimate should break down material and labor costs and show payment terms.
Before making your decision, consider the contractor's demeanor. He or she should be responsive, punctual, and business like when returning phone calls or arriving for a scheduled appointment. The contractor should remember to reply to your questions and clarify details of the job.
Choosing a Painting Contractor
Once you have selected a specialist painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the job (unless the bid or estimate had already been in contractual form). The document should spell out everything you've discussed with the contractor about your painting. It will specify these exact things:
• the work to be done
• the materials to be used
• the starting and completion dates and remedies for failure to remain on schedule
• methods for resolving disputes
• procedures for making changes (change orders are alterations to the contract to which both parties must agree)
• evidence of insurance and bonding and licensing if required by local ordinance
Before you make final payment, inspect the job with the contractor, making notes about anything that needs correction (proper coverage, cleanup, and so forth). The contractor should correct the issues before you make final payment.
Sound Quality Painting
824 90th Dr SE suite B
Lake Stevens WA 98258
(425) 512-7400
