Some Considerations When Hiring a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always calls for some forethought beyond color selection and decorative themes. Painting a room is not difficult. Actually, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nonetheless it is a job 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 enough time to do it?
• Am I up to the hard elements of the work, such as climbing ladders and moving furniture?
• Do I have the patience to learn a different skill, and can I accept that my initial progress might be slow and somewhat frustrating?
• Will I be able to live with a room left unfinished if I am called away or when I have to return to work after the weekend?
• Are there parts of the job I can do but simply don't enjoy? Is there parts of the work I can do myself and parts I need to contract out?
If your answers to these questions cause you to opt to contract all or a portion of the work, then start gathering bids and hiring a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and others who live nearby and get their tips about contractors they may have 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 very best contractors to go over the work you want to have done. Meet with each of them individually to look at the job and discuss the precise job details.
What You Should Ask Your Painting Contractor
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, etc), ask exactly what will be done to prepare it for priming including what type and brand 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 number of coats. Make sure 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 safeguard landscape plants. For interior work, learn how furniture will be protected and moved.
• Ask when the contractor can begin the job and 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 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 replace your costs if the contractor fails to complete the job. Insurance will cover any injuries suffered by any of the workers. Without such insurance, you might be responsible for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damages done to your residence.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for previous customers. Call some of the references and ask if 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 the others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near the other painter’s 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 phone calls or arriving for an appointment. The contractor should take time to answer your questions and explain details of the job.
Selecting a Painting Contractor
Once you've selected a specialist painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the job (unless the bid or estimate was already in contractual form). The document should spell out everything you have discussed with the contractor about your painting. 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 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, and so forth). 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
