What To Look For When Hiring A Painting Contractor

There are painters and there are painters, and whenever a homeowner decides it is time for a repaint, choosing the right contractor is never an easy task. We have all heard tales of woe when dissatisfied customers have realised they hired the wrong outfit, and what seemed to be a straightforward job quickly turned into a nightmare. If you are contemplating and interior or exterior paint makeover in your home, here are some important points to bear in mind when looking for a painting contractor.

• Established and Experienced – If a painting contractor has been in business for more than 5 years and has a good name locally, you should be in good hands. You might be looking for a painter in Perth or Melbourne, and by doing a little research, it will soon become apparent if a contractor is not up to scratch.
• Awards and Accreditations – For a company to receive awards or accreditations, it must have done something right, and if they consistently pick up awards in the construction industry, this is a sure sign they are professional and attain a very high standard of workmanship.
• Solid Warranty – If a painter is confident in his work, then he should have no problem issuing a warranty. Some of the better companies actually guarantee their work for a full 5 years, which means you really can’t go wrong. If you are based in WA, there is a master painter in Perth that offers a professional 5-year warranty on all of their work.
• Professional Advice – A reputable painting contractor would be happy to give their clients the benefit of their experience by spending time discussing options. Choosing colours is important, and a professional painter would assist the client in the design stage and always have their best interests at heart. The latest generation of paints can offer the homeowner many benefits, and the average person wouldn’t be aware of this, so the painter should point out the product information and offer their professional advice for free.

 

What types of materials will be used?

You may have certain types of products or materials, such as “eco-paint”, that you want to be used in your building, so it’s important to discuss these with the commercial painting company in advance. You should discuss what equipment will be needed to complete the job. Your building may have a tall lobby entrance with a ceiling that needs painting. You’ll need to understand what equipment the company will be using to paint the ceiling to insure it doesn’t restrict business needs and is safe for the company to use.

 

They never ask for a deposit

While some paint contractors may request a deposit before beginning the work, well-established, successful painting professionals have sufficient operating income and can easily afford to purchase materials and make payroll. Be wary of a contractor who asks for a deposit! If he is unable to purchase materials, he’s probably unable to pay his staff, too. Every year, too many homeowners fall victim to contractors who walk off the job—and out of town—with the deposit in their pockets.

If you agree to advanced payment of any kind, make sure that materials have been purchased and are on your property, leaving you some kind of leverage, should the contractor default on the work. The bottom line is that a reliable painting contractor should never request a deposit before starting your project.

They offer a written warranty

You can tell a lot about a painting contractor by his warranty. Well-known contractors with established reputations are respected by paint suppliers who, in turn, pass on extended or even lifetime warranties on their paints. This is because they know the product will be applied the right way. For any number of reasons, less experienced contractors may not have valuable relationships with suppliers.

On the labor side, a great contractor works with solid, experienced painters whose work he knows he can stand behind with an extended labor warranty. So, before you hire someone to paint your house, talk to them about their warranties and make sure you are covered.

 

They invite you to see a job in progress

If a contractor is confident about the way they work, they’ll prove it by asking you to judge for yourself, not only at the end of a job, but while work is in progress. Things to look for:

Work vehicles: are they clean, organized and professional?

The painters: are they neatly dressed and groomed?

Materials: are ladders, scaffolding, drop cloths and electrical equipment in good condition?

Is work being done carefully so as not to damage landscaping or property?

The best painting contractors treat a home, and the homeowner, with respect and professionalism at all times.

 

What to Look for in a Good Paint

There are many false pretenses that are put on the labels of paint cans. So, what should you look for in a good paint product? Raw materials and the percentage of solids by volume are most important when shopping for an exterior house paint.

Stay away from manufacturers that don’t clearly display what raw materials are used. They are usually not displayed for a reason. Mainly, because of the use of poor raw materials. So… which solids are we looking for?

Acrylic polymers are the most durable and commonly found in quality exterior paints. Fortified paints use a blend of raw material to give ultimate durability. Fortified paints enable raw materials that normally would not blend, to be blended together.

Vinyl polymers are also present in exterior products. Durable products should only contain a small percentage of Vinyl. A Larger amount of Vinyl polymers are most commonly found in low-end products, which are not as durable.

High Vinyl containing paints breakdown and chalk at a must higher rate. However, Vinyl polymers do allow paints to expand and contract. Even with the advantages of allowing expansion and contraction this raw material should be a limited raw material used. This material should not be the main material used in any premium exterior paint.

For absolute best results, A Touch of Color recommends the following products for interior and exterior painting.

How to Find Legitimate House Painters Who’ll Do an Incredible Job

According to a Consumer Reports National Research Center survey of over 300 real estate professionals, selectively painting key rooms like the kitchen and bathroom can fetch 1-3% more on your home sale, while enhancing the exterior (including paint touch-ups) can add 2-5%

Aside from adding value, a new paint job freshens the outside and inside of the home, and makes the space feel clean, inviting, and like new. Fresh paint also fares better in listing photos and will hide any old imperfections

I Need Amazing House Painters. Where Do I Start?

The devil’s in the details, and bad painters could leave old, poisonous paint everywhere for your puppy or children to come across. They could do a sloppy job, get paint on your personal belongings, show up late or ghost the job altogether. The key is to find vetted house painters who are popular among people and professionals you trust

Hunt Down a Good House Painter Referral

First, try and get a referral from someone you know and trust. Bug friends and family for the names of painters they’ve used and loved. This is your best bet to get a great painter, as you can go and inspect the work in person and chat with your friend or family member about the quality of the job and level of service.

Harness the Power of the Internet

If you absolutely can’t find a good recommendation from anyone you know, the following are excellent resources for finding trusted professionals

 

HOW TO FIND A GOOD PAINTER

Painting your house on your own is a ton of work and can take up quite a bit of your time. It also requires expertise, as you’ll need to master at least basic painting skills in order to ensure you end up with a smooth finish. If you’re painting the exterior of your home or even just a single room, it’s worth hiring professional painters

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A GOOD PAINTER?

When you hire professional painters, you’ll ensure you get a flawless paint job in your home. But once you’ve decided to hire professional painters, how do you make sure you find a good painter? We’ve put together a list of things you should look for when choosing professional painters

LOOK FOR GOOD REFERENCES

When it comes to hiring a painting company, the best source of information is your friends and family! Ask them for recommendations—if they have had a great experience with someone, they’ll be happy to share it with you, and they’ll definitely feel the same way if they’ve had a bad experience with someone.

MEET YOUR PAINTERS IN PERSON

Most painting companies do on-site estimates and you should probably avoid any company that will give you an estimate without seeing your home first. This gives you the chance to meet them in person and get a feel for how they work

ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS

When you meet the estimator in person, it’s your chance to dig a little deeper and learn more about them and the company in general. Ask as many questions as possible in order to get the information you need to make your decision.

 

Tip of the day: How to hire a painter

Meet the pros. Call in at least three different contractors for your job. (Friends and family are good reference sources.) And be home for the initial meeting with them. That way, you’ll know how much time each contractor took to assess the condition of your home. The longer he takes, the more realistic the estimate you’ll get. Even an experienced painter will need more than a quick walk around your house

State your expectations. The number of coats a painter applies isn’t the only factor in determining the quality—and price—of the project. Preparation is also key. If you want a surface that’s free of unevenness from past paint jobs, tell the contractors—and be prepared to pay extra. But if you can live with some imperfections, agree on what level of prep is acceptable and what isn’t

Get estimates. Seek a written estimate from each contractor. It should include a breakdown of labor, material costs, the number of coats of primer and paint, the brand and model of materials, and a detailed description of the amount of surface preparation that will be done

Check references and past work. Get a list of references from each contractor and call them to find about their experience with the pro. A history of positive references is a good sign. Also examine jobs the painters did several years ago to see how their work is holding up. Use recent projects to check the skill of their current crews.

Consider credentials. Before you hire someone, consider his credentials. Membership in a trade or local business group, for example, isn’t a guarantee of quality work, but it shows a level of commitment and reliability on his part. Also verify whether the pro has the appropriate license(s). (You’ll find the licensing information in your state at the Contractor’s License Reference Site. Also check with the Better Business Bureau, the attorney general’s office in your state, or a local consumer-affairs agency to learn whether the contractor has a history of unresolved complaints.

 

You’ve Decided to Hire a Painting Contractor. Now What?

Certain home improvement projects require a professional. Not many homeowners are ready to install their HVAC, pour a foundation, or build an addition. Other projects though, like painting, just seem to be begging for the do-it-yourselfer. After all, who isn’t capable of dabbing a brush into paint?

What Is a Painting Contractor?

A painting contractor can work as a sub, or sub-contractor, under a general contractor, or can hire itself out directly to the homeowner. Usually, the painting contractor is a relatively small operation, ranging from the one-man sole proprietor up to 20 or 30 painters working for a small company

How to Find One

Painting contractors tend to be local (as of yet, there are no nationally franchised paint contractors). While paint contractors concentrate on painting, some perform associated tasks such as plaster repairs, minor drywall work, trim and molding, and wallpapering.

What Would a Painting Contractor Do?

Most painting contractors will take on any kind of job, from merely painting your window trim to a full-house paint job

How to Talk to Him

Unlike conversing with an electrician, you do not need to know specialized lingo. Most house painting contractors are good at making things clear to the homeowner.

 

Tips to Making The Best Choice!

Choosing a painter can be a real challenge. The right painter can make your home look spectacular, a bad painter can be a complete disaster. Before hiring any painter, I always suggest looking for a referral that you trust. Take the time to speak with friends, family, even your local paint store. While online reviews can be helpful, they can also be misleading, or even fake. Here are 5 important tips you definitely should know about before choosing any painter!

How to they prepare the house before painting begins?

Painters will have different ways of preparing the exterior of a home that they will be painting. Will they be sanding down the house? Do you need paint or can you use a stain? Most importantly, how to you protect those who live there, so that no one will be breathing in the dust from the paint that has been removed? In an older home there might be lead in that dust, I certainly don’t want anyone to be breathing that in. Ask your painters what they do to capture the airborne particles. Painting is primarily about changing the color of your home, but your safety is just as important!

Do they tidy up as they go?

When you are painting the interior, professional painters should be mindful of the fact they are in someone’s home. This applies even if you’ve temporarily vacated it for redecoration. As such, they ought to keep mess to a minimum before, during, and after the paint job. I have found the cleaner they are, the more they care about your home and the better the job is once it’s done!

Do they bill for work they have not done?

You may not have the time to supervise the painters’ comings and goings. This means you need to trust them to get to work and stay for the contracted hours. It is so important to see them at work, and to have a detailed list of the work to be done

Are the paint cans labeled?

Always look to see if the paint cans are labeled. If the paint pots used are not labeled the painters might be using a different paint brand than what you contracted for. That could mean that the painters are using a cheaper line of paint. That’s fine if that is what you told them to do. But if you paid for premium paint or a specific brand, you’ll want to see it come out of the name brand paint can and onto your walls.

HOW TO PREPARE WALLS FOR PAINTING

When it comes to ensuring that your paint project is a success, there is no more important place to start than room preparation, including cleaning, sanding and priming walls before painting. While not every surface will require multi-step preparation, we encourage you to thoroughly check surfaces prior to painting and take action where needed.

Cleaning Walls Before Painting

Clean walls are key in preparing a room for painting. While there is no best way to clean walls before painting, most walls can be washed using a sponge and warm water. For surfaces that have exposure to oil or grime, like kitchen walls, wash with a solution of water and grease-cutting detergent and follow up with clean water to remove any residual cleaning agent. Finish by wiping the walls with a damp cloth.

Removing Mildew

No matter which room you’re preparing to paint, make sure you address any mildew first. Never paint over mildew—it will grow through new paint, which will make subsequent cleaning and maintenance even more difficult.

 

Repair damaged areas:

Interior house painting means much more than cleaning a few walls and choosing a chic color. To get the results expected, you must find all the flaws before priming and painting your walls. Loose patches of old plaster and cracks around window and door frames are some of the most common problems you may observe when inspecting your walls. After removing the old plaster, prepare fresh plaster to repair those areas. As well, a good idea would be to fill the gaps around windows and doors with a flexible sealant.

Find “invisible” flaws: While some flaws are visible, others are not.

You can use a utility light to find the flaws that are less obvious. Hold the light close to the wall surface, moving it up and down. Circle any flaws you notice so that you can find and repair them later. After executing all the repairs, use sandpaper to smooth imperfections away.

Use lining paper:

Using lining paper implies additional work, and it usually doesn’t do much good. However, in specific situations, such as when walls have lots of fine cracks or large repair areas, covering them with lining paper can help you get a smooth, flawless base for paint.

Prime your walls:

If your walls are covered in a water-based paint, you can apply a fresh coat of paint over the old color. But if you intend to paint over a semi-gloss, gloss, or oil-based color, using a primer is imperative to end up with perfectly painted walls.

Use a special stain-blocking primer:

Although a regular primer can hide small imperfections, most products can’t cover certain marks, such as those left behind by water and permanent markers. These marks will bleed through your paint, even if you apply several coats. First, try to remove the stains; if they won’t go away, use a stain-blocking primer.

 

How to Prepare a Painting Kit

Before you begin a painting project, be prepared by putting together a “painting kit.”

• A typical painting kit includes patching paste, a putty knife, a drop cloth, plastic gloves, paint thinner, primer and a paint can opener. Note: Do not open a paint can with a flathead screwdriver, as this can damage the lid.
• Be sure to purchase plenty of painter’s masking tape, assorted paintbrushes and a paint roller and roller cover. It would also be helpful to add an extension bar to your kit. It will help you reach the ceiling and will allow you to stand away from the wall to prevent spatters of paint on your clothes.
• The paint kit should include a paint pot and a roller tray with a disposable liner. If you plan to paint a large area, include a 5-gallon bucket with a screen grid for removing excess paint from the roller.
• No paint kit would be complete without a multipurpose paint tool, which can be used to clean caulk, pull nails, clean roller covers, apply putty or glaze, scrape paint and drive nails. Finally, be sure the kit includes safety glasses to prevent paint spatters from getting in your eyes.
• When selecting paintbrushes, choose nylon- or synthetic-bristle brushes for use with latex paint and natural-bristle brushes for oil-based paints, stains and varnishes. Paint-roller covers come in different naps and textures. Unless you plan to apply texture to the wall, use shorter naps for smooth surfaces and longer naps for textured surfaces.
• Instead of dipping the paintbrush directly into the paint can, use a paint pot, which is wider than a standard paint can. When loading the brush, dip half the length of its bristles into the paint. Slap the brush against the side of the pot to remove excess paint, and remove the brush. Hold the brush up at an angle to hold the paint. As you apply the paint to the wall, the friction will draw paint from the brush.
• Drill holes in the paint stick to help mix paint more thoroughly. To keep paint from drying in a half-empty can, fill any air space by dropping old golf balls into the can. A common problem known as “hatbanding” occurs when painters use a paintbrush for cutting in and a roller to apply the rest of the paint, thus producing a different texture along the ceiling and trim. To prevent hatbanding, roll the paint as close to the cut-in areas as possible.

 

DO PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS USE SPRAYERS?

It’s no secret that professional painters want to get their work done as quickly as possible, but without sacrificing the results. Often, a paint sprayer is a great way to do this. It just depends on the dynamics of a particular room or structure. If the room can be protected in such a way that no overspray will get on any surfaces, then a paint sprayer is a great option. This is often the case in new construction or if a house has been emptied for the painting. Also, exterior painting is often a great time to use a sprayer, since there are fewer concerns with overspray, and the surrounding areas can be more easily protected.

A paint sprayer is a good option for professionals, since it can apply paint to a large area more quickly. It also gives a beautiful, even coat. It isn’t always a great choice for do-it-yourselfers, however. First, the equipment can be too expensive for those who don’t use it every day like we do. Second, it takes skill and practice to get good at using it

 

Primer Tips

You don’t have to prime the entire wall when painting over previously painted wood paneling, but you should spot-prime with shellac-based primer to cover tannin stains or smoke damage. If you’re sensitive to VOCs and prefer a water-based product, check the label; some latex primers are formulated to block stains as well as shellac-based primers. Most primers contain white pigments, and if you’re painting your walls a dark color, it pays to tint the primer — that can make the difference between two and three topcoats. Ask the sales clerk to do this for you when you buy the primer.

How Weather Influences Exterior Paints

Temperature fluctuations that include very cold weather followed by milder temperatures can literally cause the paint to peel right off your home! As the wood or other materials under exterior paint expand and contract, the bond between paint and painted surfaces grows weaker. Paint – especially lower quality exterior paints used by disreputable painting companies – can crack, flake off, or bubble under the stress of rapid, intense temperature changes.

On top of everything else, frigid winter lows can even change the color of your exterior paint! In the coldest weather, dark colors of budget paint can look frosted… or even turn white!

 

Weather Affects Paint

Before you set a date for your renovation, here are some critical weather facts to remember before you start painting your home:

Sunlight and U.V Radiation Affects Paint Job

A beautiful sunny day might be great for spending the day outside, but it can cause premature paint failure. Direct sunlight, especially when it’s extremely hot, deteriorates the binding agents and pigments of paint. This causes chalking, fading and erosion. Low quality paints are more susceptible to sunlight as well.

Water and Moisture

It’s a no brainier that you don’t want to paint when it’s raining. But even after the rain is gone, you need to make sure that the surfaces hit by rain are given enough time to properly dry out before applying paint. Failure to do so can result in cracking, blistering and flaking, especially on permeable surfaces like wood.

Too Cold

When it’s cold outside, paints get thicker and are harder to apply. Drying also takes much longer making it difficult for the paint to bond to surfaces. This affects paint jobs and results in cracking and chalking.

Too Hot

Hot weather causes paint to dry much too fast. This not only affects the overall lifespan, but also makes applying the paint more difficult. Paint that dries too fast is hard to spread and clogs up brushes and rollers.

 

 

HOW WEATHER AFFECTS EXTERIOR HOUSE PAINTING

Humidity

There is a reason that you never see anyone out in the rain painting their house, and that reason is humidity. For paint to dry, it’s best to have a sunny, dry day. If it’s raining or extremely humid, the paint will take longer to dry and will also deteriorate faster. Of course, there is always some level of humidity in the air and if you wait for it to be gone, you may never paint the house. It’s best to aim for as dry a day as possible when looking at exterior house painting in Atlanta, and to make sure that the surface you’re painting is not wet or damp.

Temperature

Temperature fluctuations can cause paint to expand in the heat and contract in the cold. Over time, this leads to cracks in the paint. As the wood or other material under the paint also contracts and expands, this will result in peeling paint. UV lights, which typically come with warmer temperatures, will also cause your paint to fade more quickly.

You cannot change the temperature outdoors, but painters can decide what temperature to complete exterior paint jobs in Atlanta. Painting in moderately cool weather decreases the drying time of the paint, which correlates with a longer time between re-coats of paint. On the other hand, extremely cold temperatures can cause color changes in the paint. These temperature considerations are important when considering exterior painting in Atlanta.

Wind

Paint drying too quickly does not sound like a problem, but excessive wind can cause paint to dry so quickly that the integrity of the paint is compromised due to weakened bonds. When paint dries, it must form a film, which may not happen with excessive wind. Over time, wind may also cause damage to your home and your paint job, as it wears down paint and makes re-coats necessary. During painting, it’s also good to remember that wind carries dust and other particles, which can get stuck in the paint as it is being applied.

 

How Temperature and Humidity Affect Paint and Painting Application

The type of paint is also important, when it comes to temperature and humidity. By way of example, temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit are recommended when using oil-based paints; however, latex and acrylic paints work much better in temperatures that exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to check the optimum working conditions for any paint you choose.

• Temperature and Drying Paint

Temperature recommendations are cited for a reason. Depending on the paint, the temperature can either increase or reduce drying times. Lower ambient temperatures cause some paints to thicken, causing a longer drying time.

Thicker paint that takes longer to dry will result in running or sagging. The result is an ugly and uneven surface, which will often require starting the project from scratch after re-preparing the surface. This will cost you both time and money that could have been avoided by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Humidity and Drying Paint

High humidity creates increased water vapor in the air and on surfaces. Water-based paints rely on a calculated ratio of solvent (water) to pigment, resin, and additives. Too much humidity adds solvent to the paint, thinning the mixture and preventing it from drying within expected timescales.

Painting wooden surfaces is also problematic in high humidity, as wood is porous and will absorb any excess moisture from the air. Added moisture will usually cause the paint to peel and bubble as it dries. It doesn’t matter how many coats you use, if you continue to apply paint in conditions with adverse humidity, the results will likely be the same.

 

Exterior Paint and the Influence of Weather

To ensure that a quality paint job is achieved and will last, take preparation of the surface as seriously as paint application. Proper preparation of the surface involves:

• A thorough cleaning of surfaces to remove mildew, mold, and dirt. This can be achieved with a pressure washer or a bleach solution.
• Scrape as much old paint off as possible.
• Repair splinters, cracks, and chips on the exterior surface.
• Before applying primer, be careful to allow the surface to dry completely.
• Apply the appropriate primer prior to painting the exterior.

If you have any questions about choosing the right exterior paints, contact they professionals. They will be able to guide you in the right direction, as far as ensuring that your exterior paint job can adequately stand up against harsh weather.