Facts to Consider When Hiring 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 nearly the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nonetheless it is a task that places demands on your time and effort, financial limits, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, consider 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 job, 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 go back to work following the weekend?
• Are there areas of the job I could do but merely don't enjoy? Are there parts of the job I could do myself and parts I want to contract out?
In case your answers to these questions make you opt to contract all or some of the work, then go about gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.
First, talk with friends and neighbors and get their advice about contractors they may have used. Take a look at the work done for people 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 work you want done. Talk with all of them individually to check out the work and discuss the precise work details.
Questions for Your Painting Contractor
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, etc), ask exactly what will be done to prepare it for priming including which 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 sure the contractor will use high quality paint. A quality 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 safeguard 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 remedy will be employed if the job is not completed on time.
• Discuss the warranty on the work, just how long it is, whether it covers both labor and materials, what kind of failures are covered (peeling, cracking, fading), and what will be done to correct such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will replace your costs if the contractor fails to complete the job. Insurance will cover any injuries suffered by the workers. Without such insurance, you may well be responsible for such injuries. Insurance may 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 three contractors. Be skeptical of any bids that are significantly higher or less than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near one another for the same work. The estimate should demonstrate 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 remember to answer your questions and make clear details of the work.
Deciding on a Painting Contractor
Once you have selected a specialist 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 spell out everything you've discussed with the contractor about your painting. It should specify these things:
• the work to be achieved
• the materials to be utilized
• 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 whatever needs correction (proper coverage, cleanup, etc). 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
