Do It Yourself or Hire a Painting Contractor?
Undertaking a paint job always calls for some forethought beyond color selection and decorative themes. Painting an area is simple enough. Actually, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nevertheless it is a job that places demands on your time, finances, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, ask yourself 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 different skill, and may I accept that my initial progress might be slow and somewhat frustrating?
• Will I be able to live with a home left unfinished if I am called away or when I must return to work after the weekend?
• Are there parts of the job I could do but simply don't enjoy? Are there parts of the task I could do myself and parts I need to contract out?
If your answers to these questions make you decide to contract all or a portion of the job, then go about gathering bids and searching for a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and neighbors 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 quality of the work meets your standards.
Then, contact at least three of the very best contractors to go over the work you want done. Talk with each of them individually to look at the job and discuss the precise job details.
What You Ought to 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 brand of primer. Then ask your contractor about the final 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 will use high quality paint. A quality acrylic latex paint will cost more initially, but its durability will save money in the long run.
• For exterior work, ask 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 how long it will require. You should also know what remedy will be available if the job is not completed on time.
• 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 covers any injuries suffered by any of the workers. Without such insurance, you might be responsible for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damage done to your home.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for previous customers. Call some of the references and ask if you can see the contractor's work.
• Get written estimates from at least three contractors. Be wary of any bids that are significantly higher or lower than 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. She or he should be responsive, punctual, and business like when returning phone calls or arriving for an appointment. The contractor should remember to reply to your questions and make clear details of the job.
Picking a Painting Contractor
Once you've selected a professional painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the job (unless the bid or estimate had already been in contractual form). The document should spell out everything you have discussed with the contractor about your work. It should specify these exact things:
• the work to be done
• the materials to be utilized
• the starting and completion dates and remedies for failure to stay 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 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
