Before You Hire a Professional Painting Contractor...

When the lowest price is not the best value — Some important points to consider before hiring the least expensive painter you can find, or trying to "do it yourself".

Your Safety & Health

Painting can often be hazardous work, whether it's working overhead on a ladder or dealing with potentially toxic solvents and dust. Hiring a professional painting contractor eliminates the need to worry about these problems, especially after work or on weekends when you'd probably rather be relaxing.

If your home or business was built before 1978, chances are it was painted with lead-based paint which can cause serious health effects when the dust from scaping or sanding is inhaled. Professional contractors like All Service Painting, Inc. will take the appropriate steps to insure you are protected from these hazards and any wastes or residues left over are disposed of properly

Preparation & Painting: Knowing Which Paint is Best to Use and How to Apply It

Preparing a surface properly before you start painting makes all the difference. A professional contractor like All Service Painting, Inc. will know the value of preparing a surface properly and will do it right the first time.

Paint choices today are far more complicated than just whether to go with oil or latex, and professional contractors will know what works best in a particular situation, how to apply it, and will have the right tools for the job.

Choosing the Right Painting Contractor For Your Project

So once you've decided to hire a contractor, how do you go about selecting the right company? Should you make your selection on price, the size of the company, how many years they've been in business, or what? Here are some key points to consider:

Always verify the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured.

A professional contractor will always been more than happy to provide you with documentation proving they are licensed, bonded and insured. If the job is over $700 they will automatically provide the Oregon Consumer Protection Notification and the Owner's Duty to Notify Contractor documentation. Not all states and municipalities require licensing; however, business registration with your state and local municipality is generally a minimum requirement for doing business. Verifying this is as easy as going to the Oregon Construction Contractor's Board Website for Oregon and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Website for Washington.

Get It In Writing First

All reputable contractors will encourage the use of a written contract. This contract should clearly explain the scope of the work to be performed. It should also cover such items as surfaces to be painted, methods and extent of surface preparation, time schedules for the project, and payment procedures. Knowing the total scope of the work enables you to carefully evaluate the different bids you may receive with the proper information and keep them on a level playing field. The contract serves to protect both you and the contractor.

Get References

Always obtain a list of references from any contractor you are considering hiring. The references should be projects similar in size and scope to yours and some should be for projects at least a few years old. Discuss any guarantee or warranty programs the contractor may offer, as well as manufacturer's warranty on the products to be used on your project. Make sure the materials and paint to be used are the highest quality you can get within your budget. The use of high quality products is as important to the durability of your project as the selection and performance of the contractor, and will insure the highest return on your project investment.

In Closing

A good contractor will be very eager for your business, and proud of their craftsmanship. Once you have made your selection, step back and give the professional room to execute the project. You have both done your homework, so give the professional the opportunity to meet and even exceed your expectations. Remember, as with anything else in life, you get what you pay for. If you want high quality and reliable service, be willing to pay the price that comes with it.

We look forward to serving your painting & general contracting needs.

All Service Painting, Inc.

OR CCB # 102252
WA License # ALLSECM974P9

Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor: A Quiz