Do You Need 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 home improvement project. Nevertheless it is a task that places demands on your time and effort, financial limits, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, ask yourself a few questions.
• How much preparation will I need to do and will I have available time to do it?
• Am I up to the difficult elements of the job, 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 return to work following the weekend?
• Are there areas of the job I can do but merely don't enjoy? Is there parts of the work I could do myself and parts I wish to contract out?
If your answers to these questions make you opt to contract all or part of the work, then start gathering bids and hiring a contractor methodically.
First, talk with friends and others who live nearby and get their tips about contractors they used. Take a look at the work done for people you know so you can make sure the grade of the job meets your standards.
Then, contact at least three of the top contractors to go over the job you want to have done. Meet with each of them individually to check out the job and discuss the specific job details.
What You Need to 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 which 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 certain the contractor will use high quality paint. An excellent acrylic latex paint will cost more initially, but its durability 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 begin the job and exactly how long it will require. It's also advisable to know what remedy will be available if the work is not completed on time.
• 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 exactly 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 job done. Insurance covers any injury to the workers. Without such insurance, you may be responsible for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damage done to your home.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for several previous customers. Call a few of the references and ask when 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 lower than the others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly close to each other for the same work. The estimate should show 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 reply to your questions and clarify details of the work.
Picking a Painting Contractor
Once you have 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 must 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 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, and so forth). 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
