Facts to Consider When Finding a Painting Contractor

Undertaking a paint job always calls for some forethought beyond color selection and decorative themes. Painting a room is simple enough. In fact, it's nearly the perfect do-it-yourself home improvement project. Nonetheless it is a job that places demands on your time and effort, budget, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, consider a few pre-determined questions.

• How much preparation am I going to need to do and will I have enough time to do it?

• Am I up to the hard elements of the job, 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 room left unfinished if I am called away or when I must go back to work after the weekend?

• Are there parts 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?

If your answers to these questions cause you to opt to contract all or a portion of the job, then begin gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.

First, talk to friends and others who live nearby and get their recommendations about contractors they used. Take a look at the work done for people 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. Talk with each of them individually to look at the job and discuss the precise job details.

The Contractor Interview

• 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 brand of the paint, how it'll be applied, its quality, and the amount of coats. Make certain the contractor use high quality paint. A quality acrylic latex paint might cost more initially, but its toughness will save money in the long term.

• 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 how long it will require. It's also advisable to know what remedy will be employed if the work is not completed promptly.

• Discuss the warranty on the paint 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 reimburse your costs if the contractor fails to get the work done. Insurance will cover any injuries suffered by the workers. Without such insurance, you might be liable for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damage done to your property.

• 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 3 contractors. Be wary of any bids that are significantly higher or lower than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near to the other person’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 a scheduled appointment. The contractor should take time to answer your questions and describe details of the job.

Hire a Painting Contractor

Once you have selected a professional 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 have discussed with the contractor about your job. It should specify these exact 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 work 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

Sound Quality Painting

Best Painters Lake Stevens

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