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 simple enough. Actually, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself home improvement project. Nevertheless it is a job that places demands on your time, financial limitations, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, consider a few questions.
• How much preparation will I need to do and will I have the time to do it?
• Am I up to the hard elements of the work, such as climbing ladders and moving furniture?
• Do I have the patience to learn a fresh skill, and may I accept that my initial progress might be slow and somewhat frustrating?
• Will I have the ability to live with a home 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? Are there parts of the work I could do myself and parts I wish to contract out?
In case your answers to these questions cause you to decide to contract all or a portion of the project, then begin gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and others who live nearby and get their tips about contractors they used. Take a look at the quality of 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 most notable contractors to go over the work you want done. Meet with all of them individually to understand the job and discuss the precise job details.
Interview Painting Contractors
• 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 make of primer. Then ask your contractor about the final coat, including the type and make of the paint, how it'll be applied, its quality, and the amount of coats. Make certain the contractor will use high quality paint. An excellent acrylic latex paint may cost more initially, but its strength 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 take. It's also advisable to know what remedy will be available if the job is not completed as scheduled.
• Discuss the warranty on the 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 rectify such failures.
• Make sure the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding will replace 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 well be liable for such injuries. Insurance may also cover damages done to your property.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for several previous customers. Call a few of the references and ask if you can see the contractor's work.
• Get written estimates from at least 3 contractors. Be skeptical of any bids that are significantly higher or less than the others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly close to the other painter’s 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. 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 clarify details of the job.
Select a Painting Contractor
Once you've selected a specialist 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 spell out everything you have discussed with the contractor about your work. It should specify these things:
• the work to be achieved
• the materials to be utilized
• 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 issues before you make final payment.
Sound Quality Painting
824 90th Dr SE suite B
Lake Stevens WA 98258
(425) 512-7400
