We are a Lead Certified Abatement Company

Don’t just hire any contractor without knowing they are certified! All contractors have to be at least Lead Safe If they are doing any sort of demolition work in your home or office. Examples like opening up a wall 2’ x 2’ or more and painting. We are proud to show our participation in lead safety for your family and home.

Click here to see our EPA Issued Lead Safe Certificate

Click on a question to see the answer below it…

How do I go about hiring a painting contractor?

You’ve decided to let someone else do the hard work for you. What do you look for? Get references, check them, and referrals are an excellent way to identify the companies you wish to get a quote from. Ask friends, coworkers, family, etc. If they’ve had their house painted and are recommending their contractor, go over and see their handiwork in person. Make sure all the cut-in areas are done to your satisfaction. Are the painting lines straight? Was caulk properly applied? Are there any paint stains on the carpeting or outside on the patio? You want a contractor to protect all non-painted surfaces. Solicit no fewer than three independent quotes for the job you have in mind. Before jumping at the lowest offer, make sure you evaluate any promises, guarantees, and/or warrantees. Also, get a time schedule. Exterior painting can affect this time schedule, but interior painting should not be affected by it.

Is it OK to paint over water stains and mildew?

Never paint over water stains or mildew. These are signs of a potentially serious underlying problem. Make sure that you have handled these issues prior to painting in these areas.

Painting is easy, right? Anyone can do it.

There are a number of painting jobs that can easily be handled by an experienced do-it-yourselfer, however, hiring a professional painting contractor will ensure that the job is done right, and done well. Professional painters understand the tools and techniques that are necessary to produce the results you’re looking for.

What are concerns about paints and painting?

As discussed above, there is concern about the VOC emissions of certain paints. There is also concern involved in surface preparation in homes older than 1978 where lead-based paint may have been used. Again, great care must be taken to prevent pregnant women and children from being exposed to any of the dust particles that this might produce. Most contractors are qualified and equipped to handle this problem. They can also do it a lot faster than you can, so the impact on your family life will be minimal.

What are the different types of paint?

Most paints are either latex or oil-based. The oil-based paints often contain VOS’s, volatile organic compounds, which can be toxic when inhaled in large doses. Some people are allergic to them, and most pregnant women and small children should not be exposed to them. If this is of concern to you, talk to your contractor about your specific needs and they will explain everything you need to know about the various choices you have both for the interior and the exterior painting of your home.

What do I do about surface preparation?

This is considered to be the absolutely most important step in painting. Painting over an inferior surface will not add to the beauty of the room or home, but rather will magnify any underlying problems. The surface to be painted absolutely MUST be in excellent repair prior to painting. Drywall holes and dents need to be fixed. Cracked or broken siding must be repaired prior to applying a coat of paint. Your painting contractor is qualified to handle most of these minor cosmetic repairs in order to guarantee that your painting job will be top notch.

Why does it take my painting contractor so long to actually start painting the outside of my house?

Because it can take about half the actual time on the job to simply prepare the area that needs to be painted. Preparation of the surface, whether inside or outside, plays a huge role in how well the painting job looks and lasts. There is often a certain amount of damage that needs to be repaired prior to painting, especially on the exterior of your home. Typically your contractor will pressure wash the exterior of your home. Once most of the loose dirt has been knocked off, the next step includes scraping and sanding, both of which will find areas of loose paint that the other technique may miss. Rough sawn cedar needs to be prepared with a wire brush. This is where most of the labor is involved in painting the exterior of your home. If it is not done well, your contractor will be painting over an inferior canvas, and the results will be apparent just a year or two down the road. The preparation of the exterior of your home must be done right. I’d worry if my contractor started painting right away.

Why paint?

Painting is one of the quickest and least expensive ways to give your home a facelift. An expertly done paint job on the exterior of your home can bring it back to life and restore its original charm and beauty. Painting the interior of your home brightens it, creates a welcoming comfortable feeling. A paint job, well done, will add value to your home.