Things to Consider When Hiring a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always demands some forethought beyond color choices and decorative schemes. Painting a room is not difficult. Actually, it's nearly the perfect do-it-yourself home improvement project. Nevertheless it is a task that places demands on your time and effort, financial limitations, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, consider a few questions.
• How much preparation am I going to need to do and will I have available time to do it?
• Am I up to the difficult elements of the work, such as climbing ladders and moving furniture?
• Do I have the patience to learn a new skill, and can I accept that my initial progress might be slow and somewhat frustrating?
• Will I be able to live with a house left unfinished if I am called away or when I must return to work following the weekend?
• Are there aspects of the job I could do but merely don't enjoy? Is there parts of the work I can do myself and parts I wish to contract out?
If your answers to these questions make you decide to contract all or some of the project, then start gathering bids and hiring a contractor methodically.
First, talk with friends and others who live nearby and get their suggestions about contractors they may have used. Take a look at the work done for individuals 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 understand the work and discuss the specific work details.
Interview Painting Contractors
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, etc), ask what will be done to prepare it for priming including what type and make of primer. Then ask your contractor about the final coat, including the type and brand of the paint, how it will be applied, its quality, and the amount 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, find out how furniture will be protected and moved.
• Ask when the contractor can begin the job and exactly how long it will require. You should also know what solution will be available if the job is not completed as scheduled.
• 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 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 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 damages done to your residence.
• 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 others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near 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 take time to answer your questions and make clear details of the work.
Choosing a Painting Contractor
Once you've selected a specialist 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 job. It should specify these 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 work 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
