How we'll paint your project

1. Home is initially pressure washed with commercial, variable pressure 3400 PSI washer using chlorine based solution for the removal of all loose paint, mold and mildew.
2. All loose paint not removed by pressure washing must be scraped
3. All cracks and edges, window frames are calked and sealed as needed with elastomeric 35-50 year caulking
4. All surfaces with exposed wood are primed with mildew resistant exterior sealer-primer to prevent cracking, peeling and tanning stains on wood.
5. Finally, the home is spray painted, back-rolled, and/or brushed depending of type of siding and specifications of the product used.

Things to keep in mind when finding a painter

If you are like most people your home is THE SINGLE MOST EXPENSIVE thing you own but also your biggest investment and getting ANY work done to it WELL will pay off. Any work done poorly could also potentially reduce the value of it.  Because of this, getting a professional, licensed, bonded individual or company to perform quality work for you is extremely important.  Whether you go with us or not - here are a few things to think about when shopping around.

Bids and estimates

• Get a minimum of 3 bids
  The easiest way to “get a feel” for the market value of your project. Keep in mind you might need to contact MORE THAN 3 contractors in order to end up with the minimum of 3.
• Use only Licensed, Bonded and Insured Painting Contractors
  The reasons for this are so many and so overwhelming, the Dept. of Labor and Industries puts out an information pack of their own.
• Get the details IN WRITING
  The contract should include most or all of the following items:

Name and address of the company
License or contractor registration number
Potential date for the project to take place
Potential DURATION for the project
Clear Scope of the work (what the bid INCLUDES)
Type of product to be used
Clear description of the work to be performed
Warranties IF ANY
Clear list of charges and potential variations
Payment terms and payment methods accepted

• Ask these questions if they are not in the contract:

What is your hourly/sq ft rate?
How long will the project take FROM START TO FINISH?
How many crew members?

Pricing

Ideally a contractor should NOT factor in your ZIP code or the type of property into a bid. It is not unusual however for unethical contractors to charge more if you “seem to be able to pay more”. By asking contractors about the way they calculate the price for the project you can get an idea of the type of individual you are dealing with. Clear, direct and non-hesitant answers to your questions are always a good sign.

Depending on the type of company your experience may vary greatly. There are big, medium and small painting companies. Each has certain advantages: big companies can get a LOT of projects completed. Small companies charge less. Big companies have secretaries, estimators, owners, presidents. Each one EARNS a salary for the work they perform. The more employees, the higher the overhead NEEDS to be. They either charge you MORE, or they pay everyone LESS, or they do a LOT MORE projects. Smaller companies can only do a certain number of projects per year and because of that, they require less people.

Quality and Accountability

Communications skills, organization skills or marketing skills are good signs of a professional reliable contractor however, PAINTING skills are by far the most important factor and this must be present at all times. A Painting company is only as good as their WORST employee.
Having someone in the field with a vested interest in the outcome of your project will make you benefit from it.

Questions for contractors

- How long have you been in business?
- What type of experience do you have in the industry?
- Are you bonded, licensed and insured? Can you prove it?
- If you get the project, WHEN will you complete it?
- How long will it take?
- WHEN will you FINISH?
- Does Start date + project length = Finish Date?
- Will YOU be here? YOU= the person that you are talking to.
- When is the last time YOU painted a house?
- What type of experience does THE CREW have?

Ask Ed these questions today - contact us for a free Estimate