When You Need a Painting Contractor

Undertaking a paint job always calls for some forethought beyond color selection and decorative themes. Painting a room is not difficult. 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, financial limits, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, consider a few pre-determined questions.

• How much preparation will I need 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 simply don't enjoy? Is there parts of the work I could do myself and parts I wish to contract out?

In case your answers to these questions make you opt to contract all or a portion of the work, then start gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.

First, talk with friends and neighbors and get their suggestions about contractors they may have used. Have 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 discuss the work you want to have done. Meet with all of them individually to understand the work and discuss the specific work details.

Questions for 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 brand of primer. Then ask your contractor about the finish coat, like the type and brand of the paint, how it'll be applied, its quality, and the number of coats. Make certain the contractor use high quality paint. A quality acrylic latex paint will cost more initially, but its durability will save money in the long run.

• For exterior work, ask exactly what will be done to protect 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 available if the work is not completed as scheduled.

• Discuss the guarantee on the job, 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 replace your costs if the contractor does not complete the job. Insurance covers any injuries suffered by any of the workers. Without such insurance, you might be liable for such injuries. Insurance may also cover damage done to your premises.

• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for previous customers. Call some of the references and ask when you can see the contractor's work.

• Get written estimates from at least three contractors. Be wary of any bids that are significantly higher or less than others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near to the other painter’s for the same work. The estimate should show material and labor costs and show payment terms.

Before making your decision, consider the contractor's demeanor. She or he should be responsive, punctual, and business like when returning calls or arriving for an appointment. The contractor should remember to answer your questions and describe details of the work.

Choose a Painting Contractor

Once you've selected a specialist 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 spell out everything you've discussed with the contractor about your painting. It should specify these things:

• the work to be done

• 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 job with the contractor, making notes about whatever 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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