Consider Finding a Painting Contractor
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If You Want a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always calls for some forethought beyond color selection and decorative schemes. Painting a room is not difficult. Actually, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nonetheless it is a job that places demands on your time, 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 be required 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 an area left unfinished if I am called away or when I have to go back to work following the weekend?
• Are there areas of the job I could do but simply don't enjoy? Is there parts of the task I can do myself and parts I need to contract out?
If your answers to these questions cause you to decide to contract all or part of the job, then begin gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.
First, talk with friends and neighbors and get their recommendations about contractors they have used. Take a look at the work done for individuals 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 go over the work you want done. Meet with all of them individually to check out the job and discuss the precise job details.
Interview Painting Contractors
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, etc), ask what will be done to get it ready for priming including what type and make of primer. Then ask your contractor about the final coat, like the type and make of the paint, how it'll be applied, its quality, and the amount of coats. Make certain the contractor will use high quality paint. An excellent acrylic latex paint will cost more initially, but its durability will save money in the long run.
• For exterior work, ask 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 take. You should also know what solution will be available if the work is not completed promptly.
• Discuss the warranty on the paint job, just 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 get the job done. Insurance covers any injuries suffered by the workers. Without such insurance, you may be liable for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damages done to your house.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for several previous customers. Call some of the references and ask when you can look at the contractor's work.
• Get written estimates from at least 3 contractors. Be wary of any bids that are significantly higher or lower than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near to one another 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. She or he should be responsive, punctual, and business like when returning calls or arriving for an appointment. The contractor should take time to answer your questions and describe details of the job.
Selecting a Painting Contractor
Once you've selected a professional painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the painting (unless the bid or estimate was already in contractual form). The document should explain everything you've discussed with the contractor about your work. It should specify these 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 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 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
