Consider Hiring a Painting Contractor
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When You Need a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always demands some forethought beyond color choices and decorative schemes. Painting a room is not difficult. Actually, it's nearly the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nevertheless it is a job that places demands on your time and effort, financial limits, 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 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 different skill, and may I accept that my initial progress might be slow and somewhat frustrating?
• Will I be able to live with a home 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? Is there parts of the work I could do myself and parts I wish to contract out?
If your answers to these questions cause you to opt to contract all or part of the work, then start gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.
First, talk with friends and neighbors and get their advice about contractors they have used. Have a look at the work done for folks you know so you can make sure the quality of the job meets your standards.
Then, contact at least three of the very best contractors to go over the job you want to have done. Meet with each of them individually to understand the work and discuss the specific work details.
Interviewing Painting Contractors
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, and so forth), ask exactly what will be done to prepare it for priming including what 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 amount of coats. Make sure the contractor will use high quality paint. An excellent acrylic latex paint may cost more initially, but its toughness 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 begin the job and how long it will require. You should also know what remedy will be available if the job is not completed promptly.
• Discuss the warranty 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 rectify such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will reimburse your costs if the contractor fails to complete the job. Insurance covers any injury to any of the workers. Without such insurance, you might be responsible for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damages done to your property.
• 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 wary of any bids that are significantly higher or less than the others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near the other painter’s for the same work. The estimate should demonstrate material and labor costs and show payment terms.
Before making your decision, consider the contractor's demeanor. She or he should be responsive, punctual, and business like when returning calls or arriving for an appointment. The contractor should remember to answer your questions and clarify details of the job.
Before Hiring the Painting Contractor
Once you have selected a professional painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the painting (unless the bid or estimate had already been in contractual form). The document should spell out everything you have discussed with the contractor about your painting. It will specify these exact things:
• the work to be achieved
• the materials to be used
• the starting and completion dates and remedies for failure to remain 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, 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
