Once you’ve decided to hire a residential painting contractor to help you refresh your home, you’ll likely begin narrowing down companies and requesting an interior or exterior painting quote.
However, if you don’t know much about how the painting process works, it can be hard to know whether or not you’re getting a reasonably priced quote. Any trustworthy painting company in Fernandina Beach FL will be happy to explain how the professional painting process works, but you should know that methods vary from one contractor to the next.
To help you get a clear, generalized idea of what the top-quality painting companies in Amelia Island FL will be taking into consideration during your initial consultation, we’ve created a short and simple list for you.
1. The Surfaces You Want Painted
While it might seem obvious that the painters need to know which surfaces you want painted, they need to see more than just the size and location of the interior or exterior areas that will need painting.
It’s important for the estimator to be able to touch and closely examine any surfaces to be painted so that he or she can get an idea of the current condition of the walls and take note of any special finishes or coatings that may already be in place.
This is especially true if you’re requesting an exterior painting quote or hoping to have your driveway or garage painted as well. Exterior surfaces and high-traffic areas often have specialized paints or finishes applied, and this factors into your estimate.
While the estimator is there, he or she should take measurements of all of the areas you wish to have painted as well in order to give you a more accurate figure.
2. Your Vision For the Finished Product
Even though you’re hiring professional painting contractors to do the job for you, any reputable company will be sure to ask plenty of detailed questions about how you want the finished spaces to look.
The job of companies like Halls Quality Painting is to help make your dreams into a reality, and this means asking the right questions when it’s time to create an estimate.
It’s okay if you don’t know all of the professional jargon about sheen, finishes or specific colors. The person who comes for your consultation will be able to ask simple and direct questions about your preferences and how the areas will be used in order to guide you to the right paint choices.
You can typically also see sample swatches of various styles of paint as well, and if needed, the estimator will be able to help you choose color schemes that flow well with the interior or exterior aesthetic of your home.
During this time, he or she will likely also ask if you want to have the ceilings and trim painted as well. If you are hiring exterior painters, the estimator might ask if you wish to have refinishing the deck or stairs included in the job.
3. The Amount of Prep Work Necessary
There is much more that goes into painting a house than simply choosing a color and applying it to the walls. In order to have a paint job that looks beautiful and stays vibrant and seamless for many years to come, there is a certain amount of preparation that a professional paint company will have to do.
How much prep work your home will require is a contributing factor to what your final estimate will be. All surfaces need to be appropriately primed, but some may also need a certain level of maintenance work before they can be painted.
This can include sanding uneven patches, removing wallpaper or old paint, scraping the surfaces clean, applying caulk to patch dents or holes and even pressure washing if you’re having the exterior of your house painted.
The estimator will be able to explain how much prep work each surface will need, and he or she should be able to show you how that factors into the cost of the job overall when the final estimate is delivered.
4. Your Preferred Timeline
Naturally, you will want the job to be completed as quickly and unobtrusively as possible, but all of the best painting companies will make sure to ask if you have specific time constraints or completion dates in mind so that they can decide how to best serve you.
Additional Tips For Your Appointment
When hiring a residential painting contractor, there is a certain level of professionalism and decorum that you should expect from an estimator when he or she arrives, so we have included a few additional things to look for when you’re choosing interior or exterior painters.
First, he or she should be dressed in a neat, professional uniform that is clearly marked with the company’s logo.
The person completing your estimate should be prompt, courteous and respectful of your home. If the estimator needs to come inside, he or she should either wear boot covers or leave dirty work shoes at the entryway.
You should feel comfortable with the person doing your estimate, and he or she should be able to answer all of your questions thoroughly. The best estimators will engage in active listening in order to gain a better idea of your vision and preferences, and they should always be able to make personalized suggestions for you whenever it’s appropriate.
Throughout the appointment, the estimator should be able to walk you through each step of the process, and at the end, he or she should be able to explain to you in plain terms what will be involved in the job from start to completion.
Remember that it can take a bit of time for the estimator to give you the final price for the job. However, it’s important to keep in mind that trustworthy companies will never give you a “ballpark” number. Your cost estimate should be firm, and it should include a detailed breakdown of everything that will be necessary to complete the job. This ensures that there are no unexpected fees or surprise additions to your bill in the future.
Let Halls Quality Painting Help You Create Your Dream Home
Whether your home needs an interior makeover, a minor facelift or a full exterior overhaul, Halls Quality Painting has been reliably serving the Fernandina Beach FL and Amelia Island FL areas for many years.
If you’re ready to get one step closer to the gorgeous home of your dreams, call or contact us for your free 21-point project consultation today.