FAQ Interior

No. In our particular area normally both husband and wife many times have to work outside of the home. This presents no problem whatsoever for us. We normally arrive on the job before you need to leave for work and special arrangements can always be made to pick up a key ahead of time if needed. We have never had a problem when it comes to the trustworthiness of our painters. Your home will be respected the same as it would be if you were there. However we also realize that many people are uncomfortable with leaving workmen in their house unattended. We understand this hesitancy by some and are not offended by that.

What do I have to do in order to get ready for the painters?

When we come in to paint your home we are expecting to handle everything ourselves. We move all of the furniture into the middle of the room, remove pictures from the walls and take down any window treatments. All furniture and belongings are carefully covered and all floors are protected with the proper drop cloths during painting. The only items we ask the customer to move are the small knick- knack type items or extremely valuable and/or breakable items. Upon completion of the painting we will place all furniture back in its original location.

How often should you have to paint the interior?

Many factors can contribute to that.
1. The quality of the paint used is of the utmost importance.
2. The amount of traffic through a particular area.
3. Whether or not there are smokers in the home.
4. Is there a fireplace that is used on a regular basis during the winter months, and does the damper work properly ?
5. How many children and their ages ?
There are too many factors to take into consideration, and each home can be different. However a good quality job done by a professional crew under normal conditions should last anywhere from 6-10 years. Call us and we will be happy to evaluate your particular situation and offer you a more precise answer.

How is my furniture protected during painting?

After moving the furniture into the middle of the room it will be covered in plastic. All floors will be protected by canvas drop cloths. We use clear plastic on the furniture so that you can always see what is under the covering. Many times if the furniture is covered with canvas you do not know what is under it and damage is much more likely to occur from the canvas when it is removed. Not to mention the fact that who wants canvas with old paint all over it on top of their belongings.

What kind of surface preparation is done?

All holes are filled and sanded. All cracks are properly scraped out, filled and sanded. Caulking is inspected around all windows and frames, doors and door frames and re-caulked as needed. Crown molding, chair rail etc. are all caulked and properly prepared. All nail pops are repaired and sanded. Any water stains, crayon marks etc. are sealed before painting and grease and heavy dirt accumulations are cleaned. Any mildew that is present will be removed prior to painting.

How many painters will be in my home?

While every job is different normally you can expect a crew of 2-4 painters.

What kind of paint is used?

We only use top of the line paints and primers for our customers from what we consider to be top of the line companies. Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore and Duron are the preferred brands. As to the type of paint, oil based or latex, homes and requirements are different. We would have to evaluate your home and see what your particular needs are. And we are certainly willing to meet your wishes.

What if I don't like the color I picked?

We want you happy upon the completion of your job. But regardless of the quality of work done, if at the completion you are unhappy with the color you chose, you most likely will not use our company again. Every painting contractor has had a job where the customer liked the quality of work, the crew and everything about the company but they were unhappy with the colors used and now their whole perspective is clouded and they view the job as a bad experience. After selecting a painting contractor, the selection of colors to be used are the next most important decision that you need to make. Take your time on color selection and only use a company that is willing to assist you in making those decisions. Ask for color charts ahead of time and buy a quart or so of paint to try it on a couple of different areas of your home as well as in different types of lighting if you feel you need to. The cost of a few samples of paint is much cheaper than repainting a room or entire house if you end up unhappy with the color chosen.

I have oil based paint on my trim now, can I switch to an
acrylic latex enamel?

Yes. However there are necessary steps that must be taken first in order to assure success. Only use a contractor who is knowledgeable about those steps and one who is willing to explain the proper procedures to you.

How do I get an estimate?

You may either contact us directly or use our request on this web site.

My friend has this color in their house that I like, can I use it in my house, and will it look the same?

We can get the same color, but keep in mind that every house is different and the color may not look the same or have the same effect in your home as it does in theirs. Find out from your friend what the color is and get a sample. Paint an area approx. 6' x 6' in a few different sections and check how it will look in your home. Lighting, carpet, furniture and other factors may give it a different look in your home.

I have some cracks that always reappear, is there anything we can do?

Cracks can always be repaired and regardless of the preparation done some may reappear. However your best chance at successfully repairing those cracks is to dig out the crack, fill it, tape it with a fiberglass mesh tape and sand it smooth. Then prime over your patched area before repainting.

If I decide to choose your company, what do I do next?

We have drywall damage... Do we need to have that repaired before the painters come?

Our painters are all experienced in drywall repair and replacement. Virtually any repairs that need to be made can be done as part of the preparation work we do prior to painting.

I have received a number of estimates from different painting contractors and there seems to be a wide variance in prices, why is that?

There are a number of good painting contractors to choose from and what you will normally find is that the established companies are usually fairly close in price. However at times you will get an estimate that is a lot lower than others and at times you may get one that seems excessively high. There could be many factors here. Is the company licensed and insured? Do the painters work for the company therefore being subject to all of the additional payroll expenses? or are they daily labor? I suggest you read our article, Homeowner Beware for a more thorough discussion on this subject. Also read the article "Why Hire A Professional Painting Contractor" from the Home Page PDCA logo link. Both of these are accessible from our Home Page.

The house doesn't look that bad. Why should I paint?

We feel that a house is a lot like an automobile in the fact that the investment is large and the maintenance is a must. If we don't wait until the engine blows to check or change the oil we can protect our investment. Please read the two articles, "Protect Your Investment" and "Why Paint" for a few more thoughts on the subject.

Do I choose latex or oil? And, what is an alkyd paint?
When would I use a latex paint?

There is an increasing exodus from many of the oil products, but ask 10 people and you may get 10 different answers. Review our short article titled "Do I Choose Oil Or Latex Paint"

Why is choosing an interior color so difficult?

The only answer I can give you is, lighting, lighting, lighting ! Light and reflections in any given room affect the outcome of your color. Read "When Color Is Critical, Switch On The Lights" for more information on the effect of lighting on your colors.

When purchasing paint, I've been asked if I want flat, high gloss, satin and even an eggshell finish. What do these terms mean, and does it really make any difference what kind of finish I have?

Yes. The difference can be a big one depending on the surface and area that you are preparing to paint. Read about the differences.

Which is better for repainting interior walls, latex or alkyd based paint?

For most applications on interior walls, a latex paint will offer many advantages over alkyd paint. In most available products you will receive better color retention and the finish will be non-yellowing. Additionally, the latex products will have a lower odor, dry faster, and you will be able to clean up with soap and water.

I see paint advertised all the time, which one should I use?

There is an old saying "You only get what you pay for." This is especially true for paint. Discuss what you want the paint to do with your professional installer or your paint store, to determine the best product for your needs. Remember that the paint is only a small part of the job. It is always the best decision to use the best products.

How long should I wait before cleaning my windows after painting?

We always recommend waiting two weeks before allowing any cleaning agents to come in contact with the new paint. Paint dries in a matter of a few hours but all paint goes through a curing process which takes longer.

What happens if I contract with someone who is not properly insured and one of their workers later claims to have gotten hurt while working on my home?

You as the homeowner can be held personally responsible for injures sustained by an uninsured worker while they are on your property. You can be in a very awkward position with your own insurance company as a result of this type of accident. Most people do not realize this, but it can be verified by a phone call to your attorney or insurance agent. Always ask for verification of insurance if you have any doubt. And remember a companies general liability insurance is not the same as workers compensation!

Why is painting so expensive?

Painting like everything else is expensive. We realize that. In the last 20 years, what we have to pay out in labor has tripled. The cost of paint has increased about $10.00 per gallon. Insurance for a business is astronomical. So you are absolutely right, it is expensive. But not when you look at the cost of painting compared to carpeting, fabric, wallpaper etc. at about $25.00 to $50.00 per square foot compared to painting at about $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot, it doesn't seem too bad. To see the true cost, look in our library at "The True Cost Of Painting."

What can we do with leftover paint from prior years?

Leftover paints and other hazardous waste must be disposed of properly. We have directions for doing so in our library. Click here to go to the Hazardous Waste Disposal Page.