Question about hiring a painter for my house?

Question

I am hiring a painter with a crew to paint most of my house interior. The bedrooms are vaulted and they will be painting everything from the trim to the doors to the closets and ceilings. The square foot of flooring is about 1300 sq. ft.

I have quotes all over the place, the lowest is $800 and the highest is $3600. I am thinking about the guy who wants $1100 because he is the one who has been the most informative and has answered all my questions in great detail. He seems to know what he is doing unlike the ones that cost more.

He wants $1100 and I need to supply the paint and primer. He will supply everything else and move my furniture. He will prime everything and apply two coats to my walls and ceiling and finish in two days with his crew. The walls will be cream and the trimming, doors and ceiling are white and he isn't charging me more because everything is not one color.

Is this a good deal and any advice on what to ask or do in regards to the painting?

Answer 1

Sounds fair to me
But make sure there are no leaks first
How is he telling you about removing the old paint?
Fill up all gaps and kinks first
Sand off all rough surface before starting
Are you using emulsion or acrylic based paint?
The latter gives a better end result and easy maintenance
Hope you will have a beautifully painted interior

Answer 2

1) You could ask him for references.
2) You could call the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any complaints against him.
3) Be sure you use a high quality paint. Shop around a little.
4) Ask the painter for written proof that he is bonded or insured. You don't want him or a crew member to sue you if one of them falls off a ladder.
5) Do not pay the entire $1100 up front. If he's a crook, he won't complete the job. If he insists on money up front, $300-$400 ought to do it. Make the final payment when the job is done to your satisfaction, including cleanup and removing paint from woodwork, etc.
6) Make sure he will "touch-up" as directed by you.

Usually, it is not a good idea to go to the low bidder. I think you're on the right track. It's easier if you're in a smlaaer city, a smaller market. Then he would be more careful because the word gets around if he does a lousey job. Good luck.

Answer 3

I'd do it myself, buy a good quality paint sprayer at Lowes or Home Depot, for around $100. Buy paper to cover the windows with and use good quality blue painters tape. A 4x15 Canvas Drop Cloth is a much better investment than using plastic ones or tarps. Also be sure to get reviews on the paint you plan to use. Valspar (Lowes) has a self priming paint (DURAMAX), it's highly rated by consumer reports, and will save you the time and money you'd spend on priming it. A house of your size can be sprayed by a DIYer in a couple of days, and then add another day of painting for the trim. You'll also want to spend a day prepping the house, removing lose paint with a wire brush, and power spraying the houes (Don't use too powerful of a sparyer or it will damage the wood (I wouldn't use pressure about about 1200PSI). Allocate two weekends to prep paint and finish the house. The quality will be as good or better than a pro (you'll take more care in the paint job since it is your house). With the thousand dollars that you'll save you can use it for a mini-vacation with the kids and still have money left over.

Answer 4

I don't think $1100 is a bad price. They need to be bonded and insured for your protection and theirs. But don't make a final payment until you are sure all the paint spatters are cleaned up and there is no white paint where there should be cream. Look carefully. Some are hard to see until they are dry. I didn't realize until too late that my hardwood stairs had a very fine spatter of white paint on them. The painter was gone and when I called him he said something about collateral damage.

Answer 5

Its hard to tell if this is a good price or not with out more info.But you have other bids and you know he is in the middle somewhere. probably best not to take the low guy unless he has good references etc. I would agree do not pay up front-anything. If he can't float that much his business can't be that good. Not sure why you have to buy the paint, but you can make sure and buy quality paint. One question is you house already been painted? if so there is no need to use a primer, unless it has water or smoke stains.

Answer 6

Number one never trust a contractor 100%. Any of them. Keep an Eye on the job. Take pictures before and after. Make sure they are taking proper care to protect the floor and furniture. Be quick to complain about mistakes, as it is harder to shift blame right then.

Answer 7

Price depends on the market and geographic area.

It does sound like you like him and trust him. That alone is worth giving him the contract. Just stay on top of the work. If something goes wrong, bring it to his attention right away. That way, it will be easier to negotiate a fix.

Good Luck!

Answer 8

you don't supply anything!! And don't advance any money. Otherwise you give them money, and never see them!! Check with the BBB! They'll have a history of that company!!