Some Considerations When Finding 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 themes. Painting a room is simple enough. Actually, it's nearly the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nonetheless it is a task that places demands on your time and effort, finances, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, consider a few 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 new skill, and can I accept that my initial progress might be slow and somewhat frustrating?
• Will I have the ability to live with a room left unfinished if I am called away or when I must return to work after the weekend?
• Are there areas of the job I could do but simply don't enjoy? Are there parts of the task I can do myself and parts I need to contract out?
If your answers to these questions make you decide to contract all or part of the work, then start gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and others who live nearby and get their suggestions about contractors they 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 discuss the work you want to have done. Talk with each of them individually to understand the work and discuss the specific job 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 brand of primer. Then ask your contractor about the finish 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 use high quality paint. An excellent acrylic latex paint might 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, learn how furniture will be protected and moved.
• Ask when the contractor can start the job and how long it will take. It's also advisable to know what solution will be available if the work is not completed promptly.
• 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 does not get the job done. Insurance covers any injury to the workers. Without such insurance, you might be liable for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damage done to your residence.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for previous customers. Call a few 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 lower than the others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly close to the other painter’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 calls or arriving for a scheduled appointment. The contractor should take time to reply to your questions and make clear details of the work.
Choosing a Painting Contractor
Once you have selected a specialist 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 have discussed with the contractor about your work. it must specify these exact things:
• the work to be done
• the materials to be used
• 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 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
