Do It Yourself or Hire 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 nearly the perfect do-it-yourself home improvement project. Nevertheless it is a task 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 hard parts of the job, 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 room left unfinished if I am called away or when I must return to work following the weekend?
• Are there areas of the job I could do but merely don't enjoy? Are there parts of the job I could 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 job, then start gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.
First, talk to friends and neighbors and get their advice about contractors they may have used. Have 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 very best contractors to discuss the work you want done. Meet with all of them individually to look at the job and discuss the precise job details.
What You Ought 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 finish coat, like the type and make of the paint, how it will be applied, its quality, and the number of coats. Make sure the contractor will use high quality paint. A quality acrylic latex paint will cost more initially, but its strength 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 start the job and how long it will take. It's also advisable to know what remedy will be available if the job is not completed promptly.
• Discuss the guarantee on the job, 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 replace your costs if the contractor does not complete the work. Insurance covers any injury to the workers. Without such insurance, you may be liable for such injuries. Insurance could also cover damages done to your house.
• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for several previous customers. Call a few of the references and ask if 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 less than the 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. He or she should be responsive, punctual, and business like when returning calls or arriving for an appointment. The contractor should take time to answer your questions and explain details of the work.
Select a Painting Contractor
Once you have selected a specialist painter, that contractor should submit a formal written contract for the painting (unless the bid or estimate was already in contractual form). The document should spell out everything you have discussed with the contractor about your job. it must 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 work with the contractor, making notes about whatever needs correction (proper coverage, cleanup, and so forth). 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
