Do You Need a Painting Contractor?
Undertaking a paint job always demands some forethought beyond color choices and decorative themes. Painting a room is simple enough. In fact, it's nearly the perfect do-it-yourself home improvement project. Nonetheless it is a job that places demands on your time and effort, budget, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, consider a few questions.
• How much preparation am I going to 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 new 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 have to go back to work after the weekend?
• Are there parts of the job I can do but simply don't enjoy? Are there parts of the job I can do myself and parts I want to contract out?
If your answers to these questions cause you to opt to contract all or some of the job, then begin gathering bids and searching for a contractor methodically.
First, talk with friends and others who live nearby and get their recommendations about contractors they have used. Have a look at the quality of 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 most notable contractors to discuss the job you want to have done. Talk with all 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 brand of the paint, how it'll be applied, its quality, and the amount of coats. Make sure the contractor use high quality paint. A quality acrylic latex paint will cost more initially, but its strength will save money in the long run.
• 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 exactly how long it will take. It's also advisable to know what remedy will be available if the job is not completed promptly.
• Discuss the guarantee on the work, 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 covers any injuries suffered by the workers. Without such insurance, you may be liable 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 a few of the references and ask when you can see the contractor's work.
• Get written estimates from at least 3 contractors. Be wary of any bids that are significantly higher or less than the others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near to one another for the same work. The estimate should break down 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 take time to answer your questions and make clear details of the work.
Before Hiring the Painting Contractor
Once you've selected a professional painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the work (unless the bid or estimate had already been in contractual form). The document should spell out everything you've discussed with the contractor about your job. It should specify these things:
• the work to be done
• the materials to be used
• the starting and completion dates and remedies for failure to remain on schedule
• methods for resolving disputes
• procedures for making 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
