Facts to Consider When Hiring a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always demands some forethought beyond color choices and decorative schemes. Painting an area 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, budget, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, consider a few questions.
• How much preparation will I be required to do and will I have the time to do it?
• Am I up to the difficult parts 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 have the ability 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 parts of the job I could do but simply don't enjoy? Are there parts of the job I can do myself and parts I need to contract out?
In case your answers to these questions make you decide to contract all or some of the job, then begin gathering bids and hiring a contractor methodically.
First, talk with friends and others who live nearby and get their tips about contractors they have 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 most notable contractors to discuss the work you want to have done. Meet with each of them individually to understand the job and discuss the specific work details.
What You Should Ask Your Painting Contractor
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, etc), ask what will be done to get it ready 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'll be applied, its quality, and the number of coats. Make sure the contractor will use high quality paint. An excellent acrylic latex paint may cost more initially, but its toughness will save money in the long run.
• For exterior work, ask exactly what will be done to safeguard 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 take. You should also know what remedy will be employed if the work is not completed on time.
• Discuss the guarantee on the job, 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 reimburse your costs if the contractor fails to complete the work. Insurance will cover any injuries suffered by the workers. Without such insurance, you may well be liable for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damages 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 look at the contractor's work.
• Get written estimates from at least three contractors. Be wary of any bids that are significantly higher or less than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near to the other painter’s for the same work. The estimate should show material and labor costs and show payment terms.
Before you make your final choice, consider the contractor's demeanor. She or he should be responsive, punctual, and business like when returning calls or arriving for an appointment. The contractor should remember to answer your questions and describe details of the job.
Selecting a Painting Contractor
Once you have selected a specialist painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the work (unless the bid or estimate was already in contractual form). The document should explain everything you have discussed with the contractor about your painting. it must specify these things:
• the work to be achieved
• 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 work with the contractor, making notes about anything that 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
