Consider Hiring a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always calls for some forethought beyond color choices and decorative themes. Painting an area is simple enough. In fact, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nonetheless it is a job that places demands on your time, budget, 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 need to do and will I have available time to do it?
• Am I up to the hard parts 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 have to go back to work after the weekend?
• Are there aspects of the job I can do but merely don't enjoy? Are there parts of the work I could do myself and parts I need to contract out?
In case your answers to these questions make you decide to contract all or some of the job, then begin gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and others who live nearby and get their suggestions about contractors they have used. Take a look at the quality of the work done for folks you know so you can make sure the quality of the work meets your standards.
Then, contact at least three of the top contractors to discuss the work you want done. Meet with each of them individually to understand the work and discuss the precise job details.
Interview Painting Contractors
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, and so forth), ask what will be done to prepare it for priming including what type and make of primer. Then ask your contractor about the finish coat, including the type and brand of the paint, how it will 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 toughness will save money in the long term.
• For exterior work, ask exactly 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 exactly how long it will take. You should also know what solution will be available if the job is not completed promptly.
• Discuss the guarantee 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 exactly what will be done to rectify such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will reimburse your costs if the contractor fails to get the job done. Insurance will cover any injury to any of the workers. Without such insurance, you may be responsible for such injuries. Insurance could 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 see the contractor's work.
• Get written estimates from at least 3 contractors. Be skeptical of any bids that are significantly higher or less than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near to the other person’s for the same work. The estimate should demonstrate 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 answer your questions and explain details of the job.
Deciding on 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 was already in contractual form). The document should spell out everything you've discussed with the contractor about your job. 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
