Do It Yourself or Hire a Painting Contractor?
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Facts to Consider When Hiring a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always demands some forethought beyond color selection and decorative themes. Painting an area is simple enough. In fact, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself home improvement project. Nevertheless it is a task that places demands on your time, finances, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, ask yourself a few questions.
• How much preparation will I need to do and will I have enough time to do it?
• Am I up to the difficult parts of the job, such as climbing ladders and moving furniture?
• Do I have the patience to learn a new skill, and may I accept that my initial progress might be slow and somewhat frustrating?
• Will I be able to live with a house left unfinished if I am called away or when I have to go back to work after the weekend?
• Are there parts of the job I can do but merely don't enjoy? Are there parts of the work I can do myself and parts I wish to contract out?
In case your answers to these questions make you opt to contract all or part of the work, then go about gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and neighbors and get their suggestions about contractors they have used. Have a look at the quality of the work done for people you know so you can make sure the grade of the job meets your standards.
Then, contact at least three of the very best contractors to discuss the work you want done. Meet with all of them individually to look at the job and discuss the specific work details.
Questions for Your Painting Contractor
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, and so forth), ask exactly what will be done to prepare it for priming including which type and make of primer. Then ask your contractor about the finish coat, including the type and make of the paint, how it'll be applied, its quality, and the amount of coats. Make certain the contractor use high quality paint. A quality acrylic latex paint may cost more initially, but its toughness will save money in the long term.
• For exterior work, ask what will be done to safeguard landscape plants. For interior work, find out how furniture will be protected and moved.
• Ask when the contractor can begin the job and exactly how long it will require. It's also advisable to know what remedy will be available if the work is not completed as scheduled.
• Discuss the guarantee on the job, 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 correct such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will reimburse your costs if the contractor fails to get the work done. Insurance covers any injuries suffered by any of the workers. Without such insurance, you may be liable for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damages done to your residence.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for previous customers. Call some of the references and ask when you can look at the contractor's work.
• Get written estimates from at least three contractors. Be skeptical of any bids that are significantly higher or less than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near to the other person’s for the same work. The estimate should show material and labor costs and show payment terms.
Before you make your final choice, consider the contractor's demeanor. She or he should be responsive, punctual, and business like when returning phone calls or arriving for an appointment. The contractor should take time to answer your questions and clarify details of the work.
Choosing a Painting Contractor
Once you've selected a professional painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the work (unless the bid or estimate was already in contractual form). The document should explain everything you've discussed with the contractor about your job. It should specify these things:
• the work to be done
• the materials to be utilized
• the starting and completion dates and remedies for failure to stay on schedule
• methods for resolving disputes
• procedures to make 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 work with the contractor, making notes about whatever needs correction (proper coverage, cleanup, etc). The contractor should correct the problems before you make final payment.
Sound Quality Painting
824 90th Dr SE suite B
Lake Stevens WA 98258
(425) 512-7400
