Saving time and peace of mind may be worth the cost of hiring a pro, even if you would prefer to “do it yourself.” Keep in mind that each project situation is unique with its own challenges. You may be opening Pandora’s Box-as you attempt to fix one situation, another larger problem is lurking behind the original. This alone would increase your time on the project.
So begin by asking yourself should I dive in as a “do it yourself” project or do I need the services of a professional?
Each project has criteria: time, skill, budget and knowledge of hiring the right painter. There are different types of painters.
A House painter can be a tradesman, mechanic or laborer: responsible for painting of a house or substrate.
Decorative painter also known as an artist, faux finisher, decorators, custom house painter and normally does more specialty detailed work.
Do you need a painter or a contractor, with what skills?
Painters Skill-level: Master painter, journeyman, apprentice and handy man.
Professional painters need to have keen knowledge of tools of the trade, regardless of skill level. This knowledge includes safety, ladders, scaffolding, paint roller type, brushes, sprayers, sandpaper grit and power tools to perform the work.
Thought and preparation needs to be considered before simply applying paint. For instance, drop cloth, taping, wallpaper removal, repair techniques, dimensions of rollers or brushes, there are different sizes or types of brushes and rollers for different finishes; water-based VS solvent-based, material types, amount of paint, number of paint coats, amount of primer, types of primers and sheen finishes. The skill of cutting with a brush on the outline of the ceiling, making trim, doors, windows, molding, baseboard other trim work smooth and nail-hole filling techniques just to name a few.
Do not assume a painter or contractor can complete all tasks or has the skill set needed to complete your desired outcome; without asking, do you have the man-power and experience in all the tasks? Get references by following up and visiting past jobs. Some painters or contractors cannot use sprayers, match colors and make certain repairs, stain woodwork, faux finish or do custom work.
Painting Contractor: Person or entity able to quote, organize and perform a task by him/her or has qualified mechanics working as employees or sub-contractors. They enter into a contractual agreement directly with the owner to perform the repair and painting.
Larger contractors are generally capable of performing many painting, repairs and decorating services. They may have a number of skilled tradesmen or unskilled to perform certain tasks. Proper use of laborers, apprentices to do the set up clean up, preparation and helping with the painting, can save you money. Some jobs may require the following: a plasterer, drywall repair, carpenter, caulkers, master or journeyman painters, wallpaper removal, wallpaper hanging or a faux finisher.
Trade activities: The contractor or painter is primarily responsible for the safety, organization of setting up the job, protection of surfaces from paint spatter, preparation of the surface to be painted, such as patching nail holes, repairing drywall, plaster, caulking and applying the paint. The last of the items may include clean up, properly identifying paint cans and proper disposing of all hazardous material.
Category of each painter can vary: Residential repaint or new construction, interior/ exterior, economy, standard or custom, interior wood-staining & varnishing, repair-drywall, plaster, caulking, light carpentry, restoration work, popcorn-textured ceilings, faux finishes, wallpaper removal and wallpaper installation, deck-fence cleaning striping and finishing, power washing and cleaning, epoxy floors-residential garage floors and basement floors.
Commercial repaint or new construction interior/exterior – apartment, office, school, hospital, church & condominiums, industrial light or heavy, spray-brush-roll sand blasting-shot blast-media blast, epoxy floors-commercial and industrial, 24/7 emergency board up storm and water clean up, Insurance repair, wood replacement, line striping, paint removal and stripping, concrete and brick pavers-sealing.
Why hire an industrial painter to faux finish your bathroom? You now have the knowledge to talk intelligently about the services of painter or a painting contractor and ready to begin the process. Match a painter to your specific job requirements, meet with the painter or contractor to feel comfortable your personalities work well together, receive a firm quote, in writing, select the colors, brands, sheen finishes and have the job done the right way…YOUR WAY!