You Want A Painting Estimate Now
You want a painting estimate now but are your prepared for what you may hear?
Do you know what type of company you would like to hire?
What? You didn't know every company is different?
Remember the painting industry is not robotic, every painter, every company does things differently and each will have different costs associated with "their way"
Before you send that email or call that painting company you chose from facebook or Google, make sure you know what is important to you and your family for the work you want done.
This can included
- The time frame
- How much preparation of the surface you want ( it is not standard from company to company)
- The type of paint you want to use vs your budget, remember you can go from $15 a gallon of paint all the way up to and over $100 PER GALLON
- What will make you thrilled once the project is over, what will you remember about the job
- Have you had issues in the past with other companies
The Time Frame
The time frame is very important, most companies will surely be 4-6 weeks out with scheduling, please plan your projects ahead of time when possible, there is always a chance a project can be done ahead of that time frame when time and schedule permits. But if your time frame is less than a week, you will have an issue securing a highly sought after professional painting company or painter.
Let them know right away on the phone, a good company will ask this BEFORE coming out so they can avoid wasting anyone's time for a time frame they could never meet.
Preparation
No two companies will prepare your walls the same and it doesn't mean any one company is right or wrong, some companies do high end work where every inch of the surface is perfect and budget is not an issue for that client while other companies give you a general patching , hitting small dings and dent, maybe not all of them will be done but the majority and than there will be companies in between.
Without explaining what you want your project is ripe for missed expectations and trouble, the experience will be miserable if you think your getting one job but receive another.
Don't be afraid to have an open and honest discussion with the contractor you're going to select because it is certainly a relationship. With any type of relationship if there is no communication there will be issues.
Paints Used
Paint prices vary so greatly, you can get a lower grade paint for a quick color change for an apartment for $15 or less in some cases or you can go all out and spend over $100 for a custom hand made paint from Benjamin Moore. Somewhere between those two options are many, many other choices depending on the performance you wish for your home or business.
Here are some questions to ask yourself
- Will you wash your walls?
- If so will you scrub them?
- Do you have children and pets?
- What type of sheen (shine) or lack of do you wish?
- What colors are you choosing?
- How often do you repaint
- Do you want a zero voc paint?
- Do you or anyone in your home have asthma or allergies?
The Vision
When your project is over a good company should know and meet what your vision is for your project.
We all have a vision, whether you got it from Houzz, Google, saw a friends home, a picture on Facebook or simply came up with it on your own, that is a vision and we want to know what that looks like so we can meet and exceed it.
A picture, drawing, link or video is a great way to share this vision, having a working relationship with any contractor will surely make your painting project a great one
