Some Considerations When Finding a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always demands some forethought beyond color selection and decorative schemes. Painting a room is simple enough. In fact, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nevertheless it is a task that places demands on your time and effort, budget, 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 need to do and will I have the time to do it?
• Am I up to the hard parts of the work, such as climbing ladders and moving furniture?
• Do I have the patience to learn a different skill, and can I accept that my initial progress might be slow and somewhat frustrating?
• Will I have the ability to live with a house left unfinished if I am called away or when I must return to work after the weekend?
• Are there areas of the job I can do but simply don't enjoy? Are there parts of the job I could do myself and parts I want to contract out?
If your answers to these questions cause you to decide to contract all or some of the job, then begin gathering bids and hiring a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and others who live nearby and get their recommendations about contractors they may have used. Take a look at the quality of the work done for individuals 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. Meet with all of them individually to check out the job and discuss the specific work details.
Interview Painting Contractors
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, and so forth), ask exactly what will be done to get it ready for priming including what type and make of primer. Then ask your contractor about the final coat, like the type and make of the paint, how it'll be applied, its quality, and the number of coats. Make sure the contractor use high quality paint. A quality acrylic latex paint might cost more initially, but its durability will save money in the long term.
• For exterior work, ask 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 start the job and exactly how long it will take. You should also know what solution will be employed if the job is not completed as scheduled.
• Discuss the guarantee on the paint job, 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 correct such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will replace your costs if the contractor fails to get the work done. Insurance will cover any injuries suffered by the workers. Without such insurance, you may be liable for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damage done to your house.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for several previous customers. Call some 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 lower than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly close to the other person’s for the same work. The estimate should break down 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 phone calls or arriving for a scheduled appointment. The contractor should remember to reply to your questions and clarify 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 was already in contractual form). The document should explain everything you've discussed with the contractor about your painting. It should specify these exact 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 whatever needs correction (proper coverage, cleanup, and so forth). 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
