One of the fastest ways to increase your home’s value is by painting. A fresh coat of paint brightens any room and makes it look better. Painting is a common DIY project, but it can be difficult to complete. You might consider hiring a professional if you don’t have the time or skill to paint. Professional painters in kapiti coast are able to complete a project on time and within budget.
What Does A Painting Contractor Do?
Painting contractors can do much more than just paint your walls. A professional can do the job quickly and clean up afterward. Here are some things you can expect from a contractor.
- Moving furniture to make it easier to paint. Moving small items is usually the responsibility of the homeowner.
- All areas not painted will be covered.
- Preparing the surface for painting may include filling in any holes, edging out the surface, removing future covers, light sanding, and scraping off any paint.
- Priming the surface (not included in the base price)
- Two coats of paint are applied to the ceiling and walls.
- Paint the molding and trim.
- Retouching of spots that have been missed
- Cleanup and removal of tarps/drop cloths
- Final inspection with the homeowner and foreman.
1. Get Started With A Plan.
A detailed plan will help you save time and money. Consider these questions when creating your plan:
Do you want to do an exterior or interior job?
There are many painting contractors who have different teams for exterior and interior projects. The exterior painting depends on the weather. You will need to be flexible if the day you have been scheduled to paint is rained out.
Which year would you like the painting to be completed?
Exterior painting is not always possible, depending on where you live. Inclement weather can also cause delays to your painting project.
What number of rooms would you like to have painted?
If you have multiple rooms to paint, interior painting will likely be more affordable. It is not cost-effective to send a crew to paint one room. You may end up paying more for a smaller job.
What will this mean for your home and work schedules?
Reputable companies will usually require that the homeowner or an adult be present when contractors are on the property.
2. Find Painting Contractors.
Once your plan is in place, you can start looking for contractors. At a minimum, a painting contractor must have a current license and insurance. Start by looking online for contractors and reviewing reviews.
3. Refer A Friend.
Many painting contractors are local, small businesses. There are many services available. Some only offer painting, while others provide additional services like plaster repairs, trim, molding, wallpapering, and more. Referrals from friends and family are the best way to find a painting contractor. Ask around or check out the local community boards to see if neighbors, friends, or acquaintances have hired a painting contractor.
4. Interview Painting Contractors.
It’s also a good idea to interview potential candidates over the phone in addition to conducting online research.
These are some questions you can ask:
- Would you be willing to share some references from similar projects that you have completed in the past?
- Who will be involved in the project? Do they work as employees?
- Are you insured and licensed? Please supply your contractor license number as well as your certificate of insurance.
- What brand and type of paint do your use?
- Is the estimate inclusive of the cost of the paint?
- What is the number of coats of the paint included?
- Would you rather the residents not be at home during work?
- What are your expectations regarding payment?
5. Protect Your Top Prospects.
After narrowing down your options, you can contact references to request quick interviews. This will allow you to create a shortlist of companies that you can contact for estimates. These are some questions you should ask references:
- Did the project get completed on time?
- Did you feel satisfied with the work of their team?
- Did your project run over budget?
- Did the contractor and subcontractors behave professionally and politely?
- Would you ever hire them again?
6. Get Estimates In Writing.
For estimates, contact at least three painters. A representative from the company will visit your home. The representative will visit your home and walk you through the house to discuss which rooms and outdoor spaces need painting. The company will provide a written estimate. Include the following:
- Contact information: Name, address, telephone number, and website.
- Total cost excluding taxes.
- Scope of the Project: This should include details about the preparation work and the application process.
- Specifications for paint: What paints and other materials will you use?
- Start dates and completion dates.
- Terms and Conditions: It is important to be clear about the terms and conditions of payment.
While the total cost of a project is important, it should not be the only deciding factor in hiring a contractor to paint. Look at the company’s track record in completing projects on time and within budget and testimonials from previous clients.