Consider Finding a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always demands some forethought beyond color selection and decorative themes. Painting an area is simple enough. In fact, it's just about 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 questions.
• How much preparation am I going to need to do and will I have available 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 an area left unfinished if I am called away or when I have to return to work following the weekend?
• Are there areas of the job I could do but simply don't enjoy? Is there parts of the work I can do myself and parts I want to contract out?
If your answers to these questions make you decide to contract all or a portion of the job, then go about gathering bids and hiring a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and others who live nearby and get their suggestions about contractors they used. Have a look at the quality of the work done for individuals 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. Meet with each of them individually to check out the work and discuss the specific 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 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 will cost more initially, but its strength will save money in the long term.
• For exterior work, ask exactly what will be done to protect landscape plants. For interior work, find out how furniture will be protected and moved.
• Ask when the contractor can start the job and how long it will require. It's also advisable to know what remedy will be available if the work is not completed as scheduled.
• 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 what will be done to rectify such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will replace your costs if the contractor does not get the work done. Insurance covers any injury to any of the workers. Without such insurance, you might be responsible for such injuries. Insurance may also cover damages done to your premises.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for previous customers. Call some 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 less than the others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near each other for the same work. The estimate should break down 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 take time to answer your questions and make clear details of the job.
Before Hiring the Painting Contractor
Once you've 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 job. It should specify these exact things:
• the work to be done
• 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 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
