Do You Need a Painting Contractor?
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Some Considerations When Finding a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always calls for some forethought beyond color selection and decorative themes. Painting an area is not difficult. Actually, it's nearly the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nevertheless it is a task that places demands on your time and effort, financial limitations, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, consider a few pre-determined questions.
• How much preparation will I be required to do and will I have the time to do it?
• Am I up to the hard elements of the work, such as climbing ladders and moving furniture?
• Do I have the patience to learn a fresh 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 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 task I could do myself and parts I want to contract out?
If your answers to these questions cause you to decide to contract all or a portion of the job, then go about gathering bids and searching for a contractor methodically.
First, talk with friends and others who live nearby and get their tips about contractors they used. Have 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 most notable contractors to discuss the job you want to have done. Talk with each of them individually to check out the job and discuss the specific job details.
Questions for Your Painting Contractor
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, etc), ask what will be done to prepare it for priming including which type and brand of primer. Then ask your contractor about the finish coat, like the type and brand 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 strength will save money in the long term.
• For exterior work, ask exactly what will be done to safeguard landscape plants. For interior work, learn how furniture will be protected and moved.
• Ask when the contractor can start the job and how long it will take. You should also know what cure will be available if the work is not completed on time.
• Discuss the warranty on the paint job, 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 rectify such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will replace your costs if the contractor fails to complete the job. Insurance covers any injuries suffered by the workers. Without such insurance, you may well be liable for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damage done to your home.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for previous customers. Call some of the references and ask if you can look at the contractor's work.
• Get written estimates from at least three contractors. Be wary of any bids that are significantly higher or less than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near the other person’s for the same work. The estimate should show 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 make clear details of the work.
Choosing a Painting Contractor
Once you've selected a specialist 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 should specify these exact 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 anything that 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
