Some Considerations When Finding a Painting Contractor
Undertaking a paint job always calls for some forethought beyond color choices and decorative themes. Painting a room is simple enough. Actually, it's just about the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nonetheless it is a task that places demands on your time, 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 be required to do and will I have enough 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 may 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 have to return to work following the weekend?
• Are there parts of the job I can do but merely don't enjoy? Is there parts of the job I can do myself and parts I need to contract out?
If your answers to these questions make you opt to contract all or a portion of the work, then go about gathering bids and hiring a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and others who live nearby and get their advice about contractors they have used. Take a look at the work done for folks 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 all of them individually to understand the work and discuss the precise job details.
Questions for You Painting Contractor
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, etc), ask what will be done to prepare it for priming including what type and brand 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 sure the contractor will use high quality paint. A quality 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 begin the job and exactly how long it will take. It's also advisable to know what solution will be available if the work is not completed as scheduled.
• Discuss the guarantee on the work, 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 fails to get the job done. Insurance will cover any injuries suffered by any of the workers. Without such insurance, you might be responsible for such injuries. Insurance may also cover damage 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 3 contractors. Be wary of any bids that are significantly higher or lower than the 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 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 answer your questions and explain details of the job.
Before Hiring the Painting Contractor
Once you have selected a specialist painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the work (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 job. It should specify these exact things:
• the work to be achieved
• the materials to be used
• 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 anything that 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
