Things to Consider When Hiring 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 job that places demands on your time and effort, financial limits, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, ask yourself a few 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 difficult elements 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 have the ability to live with a house left unfinished if I am called away or when I have to return to work after the weekend?
• Are there areas of the job I could do but merely don't enjoy? Are there parts of the task I could do myself and parts I wish to contract out?
In case your answers to these questions cause you to opt to contract all or part of the work, then start gathering bids and hiring a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and others who live nearby and get their suggestions about contractors they have used. Have 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 discuss the work you want to have done. Meet with each of them individually to understand the job and discuss the specific job details.
Interviewing Painting Contractors
• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, and so forth), ask what will be done to get it ready for priming including which type and brand 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 will use high quality paint. An excellent acrylic latex paint may 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 start the job and how long it will require. It's also advisable to know what remedy will be available if the work is not completed on time.
• 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 what will be done to rectify 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 covers any injuries suffered by any of the workers. Without such insurance, you may well be liable for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damages done to your premises.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for previous customers. Call a few of the references and ask when you can look at the contractor's work.
• Get written estimates from at least three contractors. Be skeptical of any bids that are significantly higher or less than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly close to the other painter’s 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 an appointment. The contractor should take time to reply to your questions and describe details of the job.
Selecting a Painting Contractor
Once you have selected a professional 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've discussed with the contractor about your work. it must specify these 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 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 anything that needs correction (proper coverage, cleanup, and so forth). 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
