Nothing to download, nothing to buy, just one great way to begin with a paint project.  When hiring a painter, how do you, the consumer know what a "good price" is from a "bad price?"  What are the numbers based on when painters give out bids?  Reputable painters have reasons for the prices they quote, built on actual business overhead and costs as well as profit margins. It has been discovered that less qualified and less skilled painters really don't know how to charge- they just call around to competitors and find out how to low-ball the market. Although low bargain bids might sound beneficial to the homeowner, low ball pricing hurts the industry, affects paint prices and construction costs, and hurts the economy in a myriad of ways. And in the end, lack of experience and skill ends up costing you much more than you can imagine! Truly, paint prices should come from real numbers, including material costs, labor, and other factors that make the numbers REAL.  So how is a homeowner to know which painters know their craft and which are fly by night?

NOW, IT'S EASY TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH IN PAINT PRICING!

Enter this special code to get a free paint estimate in less than 3 minutes delivered right to your email address- get a rough estimate for up to 3 rooms in your home by simply measuring, typing in the info and presto! Your estimate is in your in box. BE SURE TO USE THIS SPECIAL ACCESS CODE TO AVOID BEING CHARGED.

Go to www.mypaintbid.com and click the HOMEOWNERS button at the top. Then, in ENTER ACCESS CODE, enter the special code fq149

The rough estimate is based on the national average for the work requested and allows YOU the opportunity to begin putting a budget together for the work you want completed. It is such a valuable tool to use before being inconvienced with scheduling time to get bids from painters. It gives you a great ball park range and eliminates sticker shock! Try it today! We'll be in touch!

1. Choosing The Lowest Bidder

The biggest mistake consumers make is being seduced by the price alone. Now that the price is out of the way you can focus your thoughts on choosing the right contractor to complete the job successfully. There is an old saying that the least expensive work turns out to be the most expensive in the end. Consider that your home is your biggest investment, and you should always think long-term when it comes to doing a painting project and also consider the effects saving a few dollars now will have over the lifespan of the job.

2. Not getting a written contract

Insist on a written and signed contract before any work is started or money exchanged. The contract should be dated and include your name and address, as well as the contractor's name, address and phone number (If required by state to have a license be sure to have the license number on the contract). It should also contain a detailed description of the project, (the scope of work) including materials, color schedule, and the approximate starting and completion dates. It also should outline how change orders will be handled and the notice required for cancellation. A schedule of payment should be clearly spelled out with deposit and payment draws over the course of the job.

3. Paying too much upfront

Avoid contractors that require large down payments. A small deposit to schedule the work is fine, a third of the total job is standard. If a company needs a large down payment this can be a warning sign that all is not right. However, a payment directly made to the supplier for materials is acceptable. Other warning signs can be as follows: being asked to write a check to the contractor personally instead of to the company or being asked to pay cash.

4. Not getting a guarantee

Ask about the guarantee and ask if it is in writing, never accept a verbal guarantee. Always insist on a guarantee in writing. The guarantee should clearly spell out what is covered and what is not and how long the guarantee is good for. Have an understanding for a guarantee on both labor and materials.

5. Asking for references and not checking them

A good contractor will be happy to provide you with a number of written references. When speaking to the contractor's customers, ask such questions as:

     1. Did the contractor keep to the schedule and the contract terms?

     2. Were you pleased with the work and the way it was done?

     3. Did the contractor willingly make any necessary corrections?

     4. Would you hire them again?

     5. Did the contractor listen to your questions and seem concerned about resolving any issues you may have had? 





7. Not asking questions about how their business operates

I can't stress how important this information can be to you, ask questions such as how do they perform their work, what time do they start, how will you protect my carpets, how will the trash and debris be handled, do you work straight through a project? The answers to these questions will give you a clear picture of what type of contractor you are dealing with. Ask the contractor for the address of their business location and business telephone number, and verify them (could be contractors home address and phone number). A contractor who operates a business out of the back of a pickup truck may be difficult to find!

8. Hiring a contractor that has no experience with your job requirements

When considering hiring a painting contractor their skill set should match with your job requirements. Example: If you are looking to get a professional custom paint job in your new home you would not want to hire an apartment painter to complete the project. When hiring a residential re-paint contractor ask whether they are experienced working within occupied or unoccupied spaces. Unoccupied spaces require less concern, time and order from the painter.

9. Health and Safety

Homes built before 1978 may be painted with a lead-based paint. Lead-based paints can be hazardous to your health when being sanded or disturbed. A professional painting contractor is required to furnish EPA-produced pamphlets to residential customers before they begin a job that involves removing lead-based paints. Make sure the contractor you are considering has experience dealing with lead-based paints. Painting can be hazardous whether it is dealing with lead, dust, equipment, electrical power, gas or solvents. WE DO NOT PAINT HOMES OLDER THAN 1978.

10. Piece of mind

When hiring a painting contractor every person has different needs and wants. Take in to consideration who you are planning on inviting into your home. Ask if the contractor does background checks along with drug and alcohol tests on his employees. Do they offer health and safety programs to their workers? Are any of their painters certified?