The seasons for remodeling, repairing & repainting your homes exterior is coming to your area soon! Spring & Summer are just around the corner and it's going to be a busy season for the painting industry. Now is the time to start making appointments with contractors and getting quotes for your upcoming projects because, when it starts - IT STARTS! By booking appointments early, you'll have ample time to review bids, ask questions and go over all your concerns before things get so busy that just getting a response, or simply a call back, could take weeks.
Hiring a qualified, licensed, bonded & insured contractor, vs. a 'fly-by-night' or 'under-the-table' contractor, will save you a headache down the road. Should property damage or disputes occur, you will have legal recourse if necessary.
Here are some tips for hiring a professional:
1. Develop a list of potential qualified contractors.
2. Make sure your Contractor is fully Licensed, Bonded & Insured including Workers Compensation insurance for all employees.
3. Get more than one written bid for bigger jobs.
4. Ask for references.
5. Don't automatically accept the lowest bid. The old saying " You get what you pay for" is still in play today.
6. Ask questions! Your contractor should be up to date on a variety products and the application processes that go along with them. Paints and coatings have come a long way in the past few years, so keeping informed is a must.
7. Follow your intuition. Your 'Gut' feeling about the demeanor of someone is usually right.
8. Set a payment schedule. Pay in installments. NEVER give all monies up front.
9. Make sure any 'change orders' are in writing. This protects you AND the contractor against any possible disputes.
10. COMMUNICATE! Discuss in detail exactly what you want about everything, from color choices to scheduling and time frames. Changing your mind once work commences and products have been ordered can be costly. Remember, "Doing it right costs less. . . . than doing it over!"
Aloha, Dion Robesky
