Painting Contractors

F.A.Q. About Painting

We have had 3 quotes from contractors for painting the outside of our home. Just the wooden window frames and the doors and garage doors. The quotes range from $760 to $1800. The quotes seem to be so far apart, we are confused to say the least. If prep is the same for all jobs, is one paint that much better than another?
There are various reasons for these differences. The type of paint being used, the amount of experience the painter has in painting and estimating, the added expense of carrying worker compensation and business insurance, the amount of time put into the prep work. Most people do not realize that 70-80% of the cost is labor. Especially the prep work! Also to help yourself in deciding who to go with, keep in mind: was the contractor professional and courteous? Did the contractor arrive to look at the job and then quote when promised? Did the contractor strike you as being honest and reliable? Did you see any references of their work? Of course in the end it is up to you as the client. However, you always get what you pay for.

The last painter we hired would work for a few days, then be gone for a couple days. Always starting and stopping. Will you stay on the job once you begin?"
Yes. We'll stay with the project and work until your painting is completed. Our goal is to have the same crew will work on your job from start to finish.

Do you or I move the furniture?
We always move the furniture and put back the furniture. We always try to make sure the client does very little work for us. The only thing we ask is that you remove any delicate items in the room or on the exterior i.e.: lamps, paintings, chimes, outdoor speakers and knick knacks. (unless otherwise noted in our bid)

Do you protect our furnishing and clean up after you are done?"
Yes, floors, furniture and areas that are supposed to be painted will be covered with drop clothes or plastic sheets. On completion we will pick up and clean up to return your home to the condition that we found it.

Do we supply the paint?
All paint and materials needed to complete the painting project is included in all our quotations. We calculate how much paint we need and leave the extra gallon or so for the customer. If you are in need of color consultation we do provide that as well!

Do you have a warranty?
Yes, a two-year limited warranty on most work. The warranty is included in our proposal package.

Do you carry insurance and workers compensation?
Yes, our insurance includes general business coverage, with General Liability of $2,000,000 coverage and Worker's Compensation policies. Todd's Custom Painting is a registered contractor with the State of Washington

Are we required to give a down payment?
Yes, a scheduling deposit of 25% is required before commencing any job.

Which paint products do you use?
We always use top quality paint. My primary supplier is Sherwin Williams. We have tremendous satisfaction using these products. Our commitment to quality is easily said when using these paints

How many coats of paint do you apply?
When using a thick, self priming product usually one coat is enough but another may be necessary. Second coats are highly recommended because your dollar will go further over the life of your home. If a deep tint, we would strongly recommend a tinted primer for better coverage.

My house is only four years old, but some of my neighbors are already repainting their homes of the same age. Isn't four years a little early?
Although a properly prepared paint job should last about five to seven years, repainting a tract house a few years sooner is usually a good idea to protect your investment. Most production homes are painted with a single coat of "economy" paint and there are usually no trees around to help protect them from the sun or wind. Within a couple of years some of the paint may wear away, exposing bare wood. Also, production homes are often not sealed with caulking around windows, doors, where the trim meets the siding or stucco, or where trim is butted together. As the house dries out in the summer heat, the wood shrinks and forms gaps, which expand over time to allow rain water into the walls and under hangings. This can also cause drafts and affect your energy bills by allowing heated or cooled air to escape. Having a professional painter waterproof and paint your house now will fill these gaps and help your wood siding and trim last longer. If you have stucco, painting will preserve its insulating value to keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Would it matter if I put off painting another year?
Most homeowners wait too long to repaint their homes, and this procrastination can really cost them money. Investing in a good paint job now, including a complete power wash, thorough caulking, necessary scraping or sanding and well applied quality paint, will protect your home for far less money than it will cost to make repairs a couple years from now.
The most important, timely and labor intensive part of painting a house is the preparation work. The more damage found on the home, the more expensive preparation and repair will be necessary before painting. If the paint is peeling, we have to scrape, sand and apply a primer coat before repainting. If paint has worn off siding or trim, that exposed wood often cracks and twists and needs to be entirely replaced, primed and repainted. If wood has been exposed to water, dry rot develops and spreads to healthy wood. The longer dry rot goes unchecked, the more wood will need to be replaced before painting

Why does a High Quality in Paint Mean High Value?
A good quality paint goes on faster and easier.-- Good Hiding and Flow means the paint will go on with less brushing, less retouching, etc.-- You may need LESS COATS to achieve good hiding and an attractive uniform appearance.-- Less Spattering can mean faster, easier cleanup. For exterior work, the cost per year is lower with a top quality paint. If the surface is properly prepared and you use the right tools, you'll need to repaint less often and there will be less maintenance. You probably won't have mildew to remove, nor should you have to worry about chalking, cracking, etc. For interior work, you should expect a top quality paint to last longer and give you more value. A quality paint resists dirt and staining better, and stands up to repeated cleaning better than a "economy" paint.

If you are looking for a professional painting company, please call us today at (360) 224-0754 or complete our online request service.