Hiring A Professional Painting and Decorating Contractor
Before you decide to hire the least expensive painter you can
find, or "do it yourself", here are important points to consider that
suggest the lowest price may not be the best value.
Safety
Painting can be hazardous work, whether its working on a ladder or
dealing with solvents and dust. Hiring a professional contractor means
you dont have to worry about these problems.
Health
If your home or business was built before 1978, it may have been
painted with lead-based paint, which can cause serious health effects
when it is scraped or sanded in preparation for repainting.
Professional contractors will take appropriate steps to protect you.
Painting contractors are required to furnish EPA-produced pamphlets to
their residential customers before they begin a job that involves
disturbing lead-based paint in or on a residence. Professional painting
contractors will understand and be willing to follow the
recommendations on this pamphlet.
Preparation & Painting
Getting the surface properly prepared makes all the difference.
Professional contractors know the value of preparation and will do it
right.
Knowing Paints and How to Apply Them.
The choices today are more complicated than just oil or latex, and
professional contractors will know what works, how to use it, and will
have the right tools for the job. Professional contractors utilize and
partner with professional paint, coatings, and wall covering suppliers.
Cleanup and Disposal
Hiring a professional contractor means you dont have to worry about
dealing with paint residues and other leftovers. Professionals will
know how to handle hazardous wastes that may be part of the job.
How to Choose the Right Contractor For Your Project
Once you have decided to contract with someone to do a particular
painting and decorating project, how do you go about selecting the
right company? Do you make your selection on price, size of company,
years in business, or other criteria? To locate the names of reputable contractors, there are many sources of
information. Some of these sources are PDCA's Find a Pro search engine,
friends, relatives, architects and design professionals, and local
"quality oriented" paint supply stores. However, these sources can
only give you limited general information. In order to make an educated
decision, you need some specific information about any person or firm
you are considering hiring.
Always verify the contractor is licensed and insured
Quality contracting firms will be only too happy to provide you with
copies of their certificates of insurance. They should provide bonding
information (if the job is large enough ) and
documentation of safety training and compliance programs. Not all
states and municipalities require licensing however business
registration with your state and municipality is generally a minimum
requirement.
Written Contracts are a Must
Reputable contractors will encourage the use of a written contract.
This contract should clearly explain the scope of the work to be
performed. It should also cover such items as surfaces to be painted,
methods and extent of surface preparation, time schedules for the
project, and payment procedures.
Knowing the total scope of the work enables you to carefully evaluate
the different bids you may receive with the proper information and keep
them on a level playing field. The contract serves to protect both you
and the contractor.
