Before getting somebody to come around and quote on your painting job, it’s a great idea to give the outside of your home a good wash and scrub down
Painting your home is something that you should consider carefully before getting the project started. Getting your house painted is a big investment in time and money so something you want to get right first time. If painting just one room, you may just choose to do it yourself. However, for bigger jobs like the exterior of your home it is probably worth calling in the experts but before you do here are we have collated a bit of a list of things you should know about getting your house painted.
Cleaning the Exterior
Before getting somebody to come around and quote on your painting job, it’s a great idea to give the outside of your home a good wash and scrub down. You can either do this yourself or pay somebody else to do it. Either way make sure that a sound cleaning method is used so that all dirt, chalk, mildew and chemicals are cleaned from the surface of your home. This step is important as it allows your potential painters to see the true condition of your home and provide an accurate quote. It also ensures that any new paint applied will adhere well and last. Some painting companies may include an exterior clean in their quote, so give them a call and find out.
Preparation
Like cleaning, good preparation extends the life of a new paint job. Paint contractors will include this in their work, however never take for granted what ‘prep’ is included in their quote. Ask your contractor what work they will carry out. Somethings they may include are; peeling paint to be scraped or wire brushed away, cracks and holes filled (any filler should be sanded back so it is level with the surface), full sand of the house, ungalvanized nail heads should be punched below the surface and holes filled and sanded, repair of any gutter leaks, masking window frames and the protection of surfaces not being painted. Ask for all steps to be included in the quote, as well has what products (including brands) will be used.
Paint & Equipment
It will be up to you to choose your paint colour. It is likely that the paint contractor you use will have a preferred paint manufacturer so check out the products they use and be sure you are happy with the quality. If you are having trouble choosing a colour ask your contractor for some suggestions for your home, they may have done similar work nearby that you can check out. Ask your contractor how and what equipment will be used to apply the paint and how many coats will be applied. Believe it or not the right type of brush is just as important as the quality of paint. Discuss with your contractor time frames from job completion and in what situations or weather conditions will work need to be halted. Unless a cooler climate specific paint is used, most paints don’t tolerate the cold well. Clarify what happens to leftover paint.
Be happy with the final result.
It is important that once the work is done that you are pleased with the work. Requesting a final inspection or walk-around of the completed work will allow an opportunity for you to point out any work you are not completely happy with and provide an opportunity for your contractor to rectify these issues. It is always a good idea to discuss payment prior to the job starting. Some contractors will ask for a deposit up front so it is good to know these types of things up front.
