Choosing the right Bothell area painting contractor for your home or business can be a daunting task. With so many options to choose from, it’s important to know what questions to ask in order to make an informed decision. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most important questions to ask a painting contractor before hiring them. By asking these questions, you can ensure that you are working with a professional and experienced contractor who can deliver the results you’re looking for.
6 Questions for Your Painting Contractor
1. Are you licensed, bonded and carry liability insurance? Do you cover your employees with Labor & Industries Insurance?
Painting isn’t cheap, so make sure you spend your money wisely. Start by asking your painting contractor these 6 questions. Make sure you’re choosing the right contractor!
The state of Washington requires that businesses have all four. The bond is $7000.00 in the event the contractor does something wrong and cannot fix it. If that happens, you can apply for the bond money. The painting company is then suspended from doing business.
The liability insurance is in the event of an injury or fatal fall on your property. This protects you from being sued. L & I insurance is for the employees in the event of injury.
Painting America carries all the necessary licenses, bonds, and insurance.
2. Do you sub-contract to other painting companies?
To sub-contract, the owner needs to hold a General Contractors license. It is the responsibility of the GC to confirm that the painting companies are current with license/bond/insurances. You don’t know what companies the GC offers. Typically you meet with the GC in the beginning and meet the painting crew when they arrive to do the work.
In our case, Painting America never sub-contracts the painting to anybody else. We will be the ones doing the job, start to finish.
3. What is the difference in an owner operated painting company?
Glad you asked. Yes, Dave is a 40 year painter, working on every job, assisted by our full time trained employees.
The owner works alone or with employees, and pays all necessary state requirements on employees. Owner operated painting contractors are responsible for the entire customer experience, from the first phone call, scope definition, color consultation, bidding, vast knowledge of paint and process, execution and the customer experience. The objective is to build the business, with lawful, ethical business practices and provide exquisite quality work & outstanding customer service. Word of mouth is the best compliment. Reviews can make or break a company.
4. How many coats do you apply?
We stay current with Technical Data Sheet requirements for the Benjamin Moore Paints we use.
Depending on the product and color, this determines how many coats. Typically it is two full coats, interior and exterior. There are exterior paints that are designed to be a one coat system. These are thicker and when applied correctly, provide years of protection.
Painting over a dark color with a white may require more than two coats. This can be determined during the color consultation, and a different white can be recommended that will give more covering power. We try when we can to avoid the labor cost of applying third and fourth coats.
Interior painting requires dry wall repair/retexture and two coats on ceilings and two coats on walls. This is what the manufacturer requires to achieve coverage, uniformity, and true color.
5. Do you spray the paint on exteriors?
Yes, we start by spraying the exterior. We follow the spray with back brush and rolled paint for the body and soffits. Trim paint is brushed and rolled on. If the front door is to be painted, we prepare it based on what material it is and spray the finish. We like the front doors to look the very best possible. Typically, the right preparations and a spray application of two coats provides a “new car” like finish.
6. What can cause bids from different painting contractors to be so varied?
There are many reasons that price varies from company to company. Be sure to compare apples to apples, when comparing bids.
It is best to know what you want from a painting company. Do you want the house painted by the book, all standards followed, insurance in place to protect you, help with color & design choices, and great customer service, providing a 15 year exterior paint job? This takes time to do it right. The cost is a reflection of the amount of man hours put into a project and the premium paints offering longevity and resistance to color fade. This assures that you will not have to paint for 12-15 years.
If you choose a company that is less in cost, it could be that they are not doing the same amount of prep, and are offering less than premium paints. One way a company can come in significantly lower is that they use 50% less paint. They say they are putting on two coats, but they are not allowing it to dry between coats and are not putting it on the thickness that is specified by the Technical Data Sheets. These paint jobs last 5-7 years. While that may be a good route if you are selling, if you’re going to live in the home, you want your investment to pay off.
In the painting industry there are all types. Do your research online, read reviews, ask to see homes they worked on. A solid company with ethical business practices and very happy clients is easy to find online.
Choose Painting America as Your Next Painting Contractor
When it comes to choosing a painting contractor for your high-end home or business, asking the right questions is key. By doing your research and asking questions about the contractor’s experience, credentials, and process, you can ensure that you are working with a professional who will deliver quality results. At the end of the day, investing in a high-quality painting job can not only improve the aesthetic of your property, but can also increase its overall value. So, take the time to ask the important questions and choose the right painting contractor for your needs.
We may be biased, but we think Painting America is the best choice for your next Bothell area painting contractor. Give us a call or contact us online today.
