Consider Hiring a Painting Contractor

Undertaking a paint job always calls for some forethought beyond color choices and decorative themes. Painting a room is not difficult. In fact, it's nearly the perfect do-it-yourself house improvement project. Nevertheless it is a job that places demands on your time, financial limitations, and skills. So before you haul out the brushes, paint cans, and ladders, ask yourself a few pre-determined questions.

• How much preparation am I going to be required to do and will I have the 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 different skill, and can 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 aspects of the job I could do but simply don't enjoy? Is there parts of the job I could do myself and parts I want to contract out?

If your answers to these questions make you decide to contract all or part of the project, then go about gathering bids and finding a contractor methodically.

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

Then, contact at least three of the very best contractors to discuss the job you want to have done. Talk with each of them individually to understand the work and discuss the precise work details.

What You Ought to Ask Your Painting Contractor

• 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 brand of primer. Then ask your contractor about the final coat, including the type and make of the paint, how it'll be applied, its quality, and the number of coats. Make certain the contractor use high quality paint. An excellent acrylic latex paint may cost more initially, but its strength will save money in the long term.

• For exterior work, ask exactly what will be done to safeguard landscape plants. For interior work, learn 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 solution will be available if the work is not completed promptly.

• Discuss the warranty on the 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 does not complete the work. Insurance will cover any injury to any of the workers. Without such insurance, you may well be liable for such injuries. Insurance may also cover damage done to your premises.

• Ask each contractor for the names and contact information for several previous customers. Call a few of the references and ask if 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 the others. Bids from reputable contractors are usually fairly near the other painter’s for the same work. The estimate should break down 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 remember to reply to your questions and clarify details of the work.

Select a Painting Contractor

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

• the work to be achieved

• the materials to be used

• the starting and completion dates and remedies for failure to remain on schedule

• methods for resolving disputes

• procedures to make 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, 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

Sound Quality Painting

Best Painters Lake Stevens

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