If you aren’t doing the job yourself, hire an experienced painting contractor to do the job.  Now, just because the painting contractor is in the phone book or running an ad in your local paper or magazine, doesn’t mean that he or she is experienced.  Make sure they are an Accredited Better Business Bureau member so you can check their record, ask for at least three references and ask for their certificate of liability insurance.

An experienced painting contractor will properly prep the building to be painted by power washing to remove all dirt without doing any damage, caulking where needed, replacing rotted wood, and using primer when needed (on wood using oil-based primer, with latex topcoat is best).  If stain is on the house, then stain needs to be put back on because it lasts longer than paint and requires no primer.  Acrylic is needed when painting metal.  These are all things an experienced painting contractor will know.

If you do the job right, it will last several years before it needs to be done again and painting before it starts to deteriorate will save you unnecessary work.  If done wrong it will start peeling off, sometimes within months, which is why hiring a painting contractor that has an experienced record you can check on is necessary.

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is that the painting contractor is insured.  If one of the company’s employees or sub-contractors is injured on the job, the homeowner could be held responsible unless the company has the proper insurance.  Workman’s Compensation Insurance covers all employees on payroll, and the Certificate of Liability Insurance covers the sub-contractors.  Ask for proof, any legitimate painting contractor can provide this easily.

On April 22, 2010, a new law goes into effect requiring all painting contractors be EPA certified if they are disturbing lead based paint.  If the painting contractor is not certified and they disturb an area larger than 20 square feet outside or 6 square feet inside, they can be fined up to $32,500 per violation, per day.  The law doesn’t apply to the property owner, only painting contractors or anyone doing the job for payment.  If you are doing the work yourself, you should call the NLIC at (800) 424-5323 for more information.

Good Guy Home Improvements would really appreciate the opportunity to compete on any painting project you wish to contract out.  We are readily available even if you just want to ask questions because we are here to help.

We are very good at what we do and take pride in our abilities as well as adding
more repeat customers to our client list.  We have many references, proper
insurance, are BBB members, and look forward to be checked out.