Hiring an Exterior Painting Contractor

Contributed by Greg Bailey

What about lead paint and dust?
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This question will tell you if the painter is informed about the lead issue or if he will downplay it to get the job. Lead paint is a reality that is best viewed from an informed perspective - and both the painter and the homeowner should be informed.
What steps will you take to protect my property?
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A quality painting company will tarp everything, arrange for prized plants to be moved or staked off and make sure that cars are out of the area being painted.
What brand and quality of paint are you going to use on my home?
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If you're being steered toward a low cost product, find another painter. Ask for the top of the line of the brand of paint you want your painter to use for both the finish paint and the primer coat.
How much experience have you had with this type of project?
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The construction slowdown has seen new home painters scrambling for work in older areas. Homes more than 30 years old have many layers of (possibly lead based) paint, aluminum storm windows to remove and replace, window putty, deeper soffits and very often more architectural detail. These homes require a slower, more methodical pace and different work processes. A paint crew that is used to only new homes will likely not be familiar with the attention and tedious prep work that an older home requires.\012
How many coats of paint will be applied to each surface?
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Typical is one coat of primer and two coats of finish paint
Once you start my job will you continue with it every day until the painting is completed?
How do you price your services?
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Typically painting contractors will bid for the entire job and the bid will include labor and materials.