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Painters

House painting is easy... or is it?

Fresh paint adds value
and appeal to every
home.

Any one can paint, right? Well, you probably can, but doing so can take time and energy better spent on other activities. Painting can be a time consuming and back breaking job, but a contractor has the equipment and know how to do the job quickly and professionally.

A good painting contractor can get the work done quickly and without the headache you’d get tackling the job yourself. To understand the process and qualify your painting contractor, find out how they handle the following:

Process	What you want to know . . .
Surface Preparation	Painting is easy, but preparation takes time. A good painting contractor can describe the type of preparation he does for his projects. How much scraping, sanding, caulking, and patching does he do? Does he usually use an undercoat or primer before painting? What materials does he use? How much time does he typically spend on prep work?
Painting	Paint should be the best quality you can afford for the project. Paints should be washable and long lasting without flaking or blistering. Your painting contractor can offer suggestions for the best paint type for the surface.
Application method	Ask your contractor what techniques he’ll use to apply the paint. You want to get a sense of his attention to detail and finish work. If you are a stickler for the well-defined edge, ask him how he will achieve that kind of meticulous finish. Once you know, you can decide if the cost is worth the extra detail.

Once you know the preparation process and grade of materials, you can get a written estimate.

Compare the estimates of several painting contractors and keep in mind the differences between materials and processes. That will give you a solid basis on which to make your final selection.

Contractor licensing, experience, and guarantees

Get copies of each contractor’s license, liability, and workman’s compensation insurance. Verify with the state contractor’s board that licensing is current. Contact the insurance carriers to verify that coverage spans the term of your painting project.

Find out how long the company has been in business, ask for project references, AND call the Better Business Bureau to see if your contractor has any outstanding complaints against him.

Ask each contractor for the guarantees his company offers as well as for information about applicable product warranties from the manufacturer.

Health considerations

Older homes may have existing lead-based finishes. If needed, find out what kinds of precautions your painter will take to ensure the safety and health of your family.

Verify contractor licensing in your city.

Painters

House painting is easy... or is it?

Surface Preparation

Painting

Application method

Contractor licensing, experience, and guarantees

Health considerations