Things to Consider When Hiring a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always demands some forethought beyond color selection and decorative schemes. Painting an area is not difficult. In fact, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself home improvement project. Nonetheless 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 pre-determined questions.
• How much preparation am I going to be required 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 fresh 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 following the weekend?
• Are there areas of the job I could do but simply don't enjoy? Is there parts of the work I could do myself and parts I need to contract out?
If your answers to these questions cause you to opt to contract all or part of the project, then begin gathering bids and hiring a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and others who live nearby and get their suggestions about contractors they have used. Take a look at the work done for folks you know so you can make sure the grade of the job meets your standards.
Then, contact at least three of the most notable contractors to go over the work you want done. Talk with all of them individually to understand the work and discuss the precise job details.
Questions for Your Painting Contractor
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, and so forth), 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, like the type and make 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 may cost more initially, but its toughness will save money in the long term.
• For exterior work, ask exactly what will be done to protect 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 require. It's also advisable to know what solution will be employed if the job is not completed promptly.
• Discuss the warranty 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 correct such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will reimburse your costs if the contractor does not get the job done. Insurance will cover any injuries suffered by any of the workers. Without such insurance, you may be responsible for such injuries. Insurance may also cover damages done to your home.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for previous customers. Call some 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 near 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 clarify details of the job.
Choose a Painting Contractor
Once you've selected a professional painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the painting (unless the bid or estimate had already been in contractual form). The document should explain everything you've discussed with the contractor about your work. It will specify these exact 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 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 whatever 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
