If You Want 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 home improvement project. Nevertheless 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, ask yourself a few pre-determined questions.
• How much preparation will I be required to do and will I have enough time to do it?
• Am I up to the hard elements 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 have the ability to live with a home left unfinished if I am called away or when I must go back to work after the weekend?
• Are there parts of the job I can do but merely don't enjoy? Are there parts of the work I can do myself and parts I want to contract out?
In case your answers to these questions make you decide to contract all or a portion of the work, then begin gathering bids and searching for a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and neighbors and get their recommendations about contractors they may have used. Take a look at the work done for folks you know so you can make sure the quality of the job meets your standards.
Then, contact at least three of the top contractors to go over the job you want done. Talk with each of them individually to look at the work and discuss the precise 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 what type and brand of primer. Then ask your contractor about the final coat, like the type and brand 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 may 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 exactly how long it will require. You should also know what solution will be available if the job is not completed on time.
• 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 rectify such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will reimburse your costs if the contractor does not complete the job. Insurance will cover any injury to the workers. Without such insurance, you could be liable for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damage done to your property.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for several previous customers. Call a few of the references and ask when 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 lower 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 calls or arriving for an appointment. The contractor should remember to reply to your questions and make clear details of the work.
Before Hiring the Painting Contractor
Once you have selected a professional 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 explain everything you have discussed with the contractor about your job. it must specify these things:
• the work to be achieved
• the materials to be utilized
• 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 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
