Do You Want a Painting Contractor?

Undertaking a paint job always demands some forethought beyond color choices and decorative schemes. Painting an area is simple enough. In fact, it's nearly the perfect do-it-yourself home improvement project. Nonetheless it is a task that places demands on your time, finances, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, ask yourself a few questions.

• How much preparation will I be required to do and will I have available time to do it?

• Am I up to the hard parts of the job, such as climbing ladders and moving furniture?

• Do I have the patience to learn a fresh skill, and can 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 have to return to work after the weekend?

• Are there areas of the job I could do but simply don't enjoy? Are there parts of the job I could do myself and parts I wish to contract out?

If your answers to these questions make you opt to contract all or part of the work, then start gathering bids and searching for a contractor methodically.

First, talk with friends and neighbors and get their advice about contractors they used. Take a look at the quality of the work done for people you know so you can make sure the grade of the work meets your standards.

Then, contact at least three of the most notable contractors to go over the job you want done. Talk with all of them individually to understand the work and discuss the specific job details.

What You Need to Ask Your Painting Contractor

• For each surface (including trim, stucco, aluminum siding, walls, etc), ask exactly what will be done to get it ready for priming including which type and make of primer. Then ask your contractor about the final coat, like the type and brand of the paint, how it will be applied, its quality, and the amount of coats. Make sure the contractor will use high quality paint. An excellent acrylic latex paint might cost more initially, but its toughness 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 exactly how long it will require. It's also advisable to know what remedy will be employed if the job is not completed on time.

• Discuss the guarantee on the paint job, 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 does not get the work done. Insurance covers any injuries suffered by any of the workers. Without such insurance, you may be responsible for such injuries. Insurance may also cover damage done to your property.

• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for several previous customers. Call some 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 less than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly close 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 an appointment. The contractor should remember to answer your questions and explain details of the work.

Picking a Painting Contractor

Once you've selected a professional painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the job (unless the bid or estimate had already been in contractual form). The document should explain everything you've discussed with the contractor about your work. It should specify these exact things:

• the work to be done

• the materials to be used

• 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 job with the contractor, making notes about anything that 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

Sound Quality Painting

Best Painters Lake Stevens

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