|
For residential
work, more and more homeowners and tenants are choosing to use painting
contractors rather than doing the work themselves. This is to save
time and labor, and to achieve the best possible job.
When assessing
a paint job, the potential do-it-yourselfer should consider such
things as:
--how much
surface preparation is needed and will I have the time to do it?
will
I be able to do the more demanding
--aspects
of the job such as climbing ladders, moving furniture, etc.?
--will I be
able to live with a room or area left unfinished when I am called
away, return to my regular job, etc.?
When considering
which contractor to utilise, be sure to do or determine each of
the following:
-- Talk with
several contractors and get quotes from each. Ask about insurance
and bonding.
-- Determine
what will be done for each type area (any wood trim, cement render
or stucco, aluminium cladding, walls of each room, etc.)
for:
-- surface
preparation
-- priming;
what primer (type and brand) will be used
-- finish
coat: type and brand, where the brand fits into the manufacturer's
line (premium, first, second, economy,
contractor's, etc.); how many coats
-- For exterior
work, what will be done to protect plantings; for interior work,
what will be done in regards to moving furniture,
protecting furniture
-- .When will
the work be started? And finished? How many painters will be working
on the job? What will the remedy be if the job is not completed
on time?
-- What is the
warranty on the work? Length of time, what type failures are covered,
what is the remedy if there is a paint failure?
-- Get names
of previous customers from each contractor as references, and contact
them to get their recommendation.
-- Note whether
the contractor was courteous and businesslike, punctual with appointments
or in returning phone calls, quality-oriented, experienced ,and
generally interested in doing business with you.
Then, take
into account the information on each contractor and the asking price,
to make an informed decision on which one to choose for your job.
|
