Things to Consider When Hiring a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always calls for some forethought beyond color selection and decorative themes. Painting a room is simple enough. In fact, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nevertheless it is a task that places demands on your time, financial limitations, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, consider a few questions.
• How much preparation will I need to do and will I have the 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 new skill, and can I accept that my initial progress might be slow and somewhat frustrating?
• Will I be able to live with an area left unfinished if I am called away or when I must return to work following the weekend?
• Are there aspects of the job I could do but merely don't enjoy? Are there parts of the work I could do myself and parts I wish to contract out?
In case your answers to these questions make you opt to contract all or some of the project, then begin gathering bids and hiring a contractor methodically.
First, talk with friends and neighbors and get their suggestions about contractors they may have used. Take a look at the work done for folks you know so you can make sure the grade of the work 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 precise work details.
Questions for You Painting Contractor
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, etc), ask exactly what will be done to prepare it for priming including which type and brand of primer. Then ask your contractor about the final coat, including the type and brand of the paint, how it'll be applied, its quality, and the amount of coats. Make sure the contractor use high quality paint. An excellent acrylic latex paint may 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 as scheduled.
• Discuss the guarantee 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 exactly what will be done to correct such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will replace your costs if the contractor does not get the job done. Insurance covers any injuries suffered by the workers. Without such insurance, you may well be responsible for such injuries. Insurance may also cover damage done to your premises.
• 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 3 contractors. Be skeptical of any bids that are significantly higher or lower than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly close to each other 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 calls or arriving for a scheduled appointment. The contractor should remember to reply to your questions and make clear details of the work.
Choose 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 spell out everything you've discussed with the contractor about your job. It will specify these 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 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 work with the contractor, making notes about anything that needs correction (proper coverage, cleanup, etc). The contractor should correct the problems before you make final payment.
Sound Quality Painting
824 90th Dr SE suite B
Lake Stevens WA 98258
(425) 512-7400
