Hiring and Contracting with a Professional
Painting and Decorating Contractor Before you decide to hire the least expensive painter you can find, or "do
it yourself", here are important points to consider that suggest the lowest price may not be the best value. Safety
Painting can
be hazardous work, whether it’s working on a ladder or dealing with solvents and dust. Hiring a professional contractor
means you don’t have to worry about these problems. Health
If your home or business was built before 1978, it may
have been painted with lead-based paint, which can cause serious health effects when it is scraped or sanded in preparation
for repainting. Professional contractors will take appropriate steps to protect you. Painting contractors are required to
furnish EPA-produced pamphlets to their residential customers before they begin a job that involves disturbing lead-based
paint in or on a residence. Professional painting contractors will understand and be willing to follow the recommendations
on this pamphlet. Preparation
& Painting
Getting the surface properly prepared makes all the difference. Professional contractors
know the value of preparation and will do it right. Knowing
Paints and How to Apply Them: The choices today are more complicated than just oil or latex, and professional contractors
will know what works, how to use it, and will have the right tools for the job. Cleanup and Disposal
Hiring a professional
contractor means you don’t have to worry about dealing with paint residues and other leftovers. Professionals will know
how to handle hazardous wastes that may be part of the job.
How to Choose the Right Contractor For Your Project
Once you have decided to contract with someone to do a particular painting and decorating
project, how do you go about selecting the right company? Do you make your selection on price, size of company, years in business,
or other criteria? To locate the names of reputable
contractors, there are many sources of information. Some of these sources are PDCA's Find a Pro search engine, friends, relatives, architects and design professionals, and local "quality- oriented"
paint supply stores. However, these sources can only give you limited general information. In order to make an educated decision,
you need some specific information about any person or firm you are considering hiring. Always verify the contractor is licensed and insured.
Quality contracting firms will be only too happy to provide you with copies of their certificates of insurance. They
should provide bonding information (if the job is large enough to require such) and documentation of safety training and compliance
programs. Not all states and municipalities require licensing however business registration with your state and municipality
is generally a minimum requirement. Written Contracts are a Must
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. Invest Time in Verifying References
Obtain a list of references from the prospective contractor. This list should include the contact person, address,
and telephone number of the previous client. Follow up on this list with a phone call. Remember, the contractor will not give
you a bad reference. Therefore, ask references if they know of any other work this contractor has performed. Be sure to ask
whether the contractor and employees treated you professionally and with respect. The references you are interested in should
be projects similar in size and scope to yours. Also, some of the projects should be at least a few years old. This will help
you gauge the performance of the construction and materials used. If possible, try to see the work that was done. Discuss any guarantee or warranty programs the contractor may offer. Ask about
the manufacturer's warranty on the products to be used on your project. Remember you are looking for long-term durability
from the paint job. The use of high quality products is as important as the selection and performance of the contractor. Verifying
references will provide a return on your project investment. Is Your Contractor a PDCA Member?
Determine if your contractor
is a member of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America. It has been in existence since 1884 and has over 3100 members
all over the country and parts of Canada. The focus of the association is the education of its members and the promotion of
professionalism within the industry. Look for the PDCA logo on your contractor's business card, bid sheets, or trucks.
Trade associations such as the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) offer many programs for the education
of painting contractors. This education includes training in the area of safety, business management, technical areas of painting
and surface preparation, and more. Quality painting and decorating contractors are well educated on the different aspects
of any painting project and that knowledge helps eliminate surprises. Excellence in paint application is as important with
your selection of a contractor as are the skills to properly manage their business and your project. Not all association memberships are alike
National Associations such as PDCA and the Better Business Bureau are Non-Profit Associations who are interested
in making the contracting world better, not just selling their products, which many marketing and sales type association type
groups are in business for. PDCA is the only national association for painting and decorating contractors and one of
the oldest contractor associations in America. Industry
standards are another benefit of trade associations. PDCA produces nationally recognized Painting Industry Standards that
cover many different aspects of a painting project. Use of these standards in proposals and contracts helps improve communication
between the client and the contractor, assists in ensuring quality, and becomes a basis for evaluating the job’s requirements.
In Closing
Good contractors are very eager for your business. They are also very 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 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.
Here's
to your successful painting projects. The Painting
and Decorating Contractors of America is a full-service national trade association representing over 3,100 companies engaged
in all sectors of the coatings application industry. PDCA has developed this article to assist you in making an informed decision
when you next contemplate a painting or decorating project. To find a PDCA contractor in your area, visit the PDCA Find-a-Pro Search Engine on this web site or call PDCA at 800-332-PDCA.
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