Things to Consider When Hiring a Painting Contractor
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When You Need a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always calls for some forethought beyond color choices and decorative schemes. Painting a room is simple enough. Actually, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nonetheless it is a task that places demands on your time, budget, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, consider a few pre-determined questions.
• How much preparation will I need to do and will I have available time to do it?
• Am I up to the difficult elements 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 return to work after the weekend?
• Are there areas of the job I could do but merely don't enjoy? Is there parts of the work I can do myself and parts I wish to contract out?
If your answers to these questions make you decide to contract all or some of the project, then begin gathering bids and searching for a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and neighbors and get their suggestions about contractors they used. Have a look at the work done for people you know so you can make sure the grade of the work meets your standards.
Then, contact at least three of the most notable contractors to discuss the work you want done. Meet with each of them individually to understand the job 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 get it ready for priming including what type and brand of primer. Then ask your contractor about the finish coat, including the type and make of the paint, how it will be applied, its quality, and the number of coats. Make sure the contractor use high quality paint. A quality acrylic latex paint will cost more initially, but its strength 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 start the job and exactly how long it will take. You should also know what cure 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 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 get the work done. Insurance will cover any injuries suffered by the workers. Without such insurance, you may be liable for such injuries. Insurance may also cover damage 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 skeptical of any bids that are significantly higher or less than the others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly close to the other painter’s 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. He or she should be responsive, punctual, and business like when returning phone calls or arriving for a scheduled appointment. The contractor should take time to reply to your questions and explain details of the job.
Picking 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 had already been in contractual form). The document should explain everything you have discussed with the contractor about your work. It should specify these exact things:
• the work to be achieved
• the materials to be used
• the starting and completion dates and remedies for failure to stay on schedule
• methods for resolving disputes
• procedures for making 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
