Why Hire a Professional Painting and Decorating Contractor?

Before you decide to "do it yourself" or hire the least expensive painter you can find, here are some points to consider:

• Safety: Painting can be hazardous work, whether it’s working on a ladder or dealing with solvents and dust. Hiring a professional contractor means you don’t have to worry about these problems.
  
  
• Health: If your home was built before 1978, it has the potential presence of lead-based paint. The Environmental Protection Agency has long made it a priority to reduce exposure to lead, especially for young children. Exposure to high levels of lead can be particularly damaging to children whose nervous systems are still developing and to pregnant women, whose unborn children are growing. Children with these high lead levels can suffer from nervous system damage, behavioral problems, learning problems, slowed growth, headaches and other debilitating conditions.

The Environmental Protection Agency has been working for three decades to reduce exposure to lead in lead paint, and on April 22, 2010, new federal laws required all contractors "performing renovation, repair or painting projects that disturb lead-based paint to be certified and to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination." The professionals at Crescent Painting Company are certified within the new EPA regulations.

The business or homeowner should ask prospective contractors if they are lead safe certified. The staff at Crescent Painting Company can answer questions about the licensing procedures and the effects of lead paint. Also, because there is a high cost to become certified, some painting and service contractors may try to avoid the EPA regulations. When hiring a painting contractor, ask them to provide an EPA Lead-Safe Certificate.

• Preparation: Getting the surface properly prepared makes all the difference. The pros at Crescent Painting know the value of preparation and will do it right.
  
  
• Knowing Paints and How to Apply Them: The choices today are more complicated than just oil or latex, and professional contractors will know what works, how to use it, and will have the right tools for the job.
  
  
• Cleanup and Disposal: Hiring a professional contractor means you don’t have to worry about dealing with paint residues and other leftovers. As professionals, we know how to handle hazardous wastes that may be part of the job.
  

How to Choose the Right Contractor for Your Project

Once you have decided to contract with someone to do a particular painting and decorating project, how do you go about selecting the right person or firm? Do you make your selection on price, size of company, years in business, or other criteria?

There are many sources of information about reliable contractors, including friends, relatives, architects, decorators, yellow pages, trade associations, local "quality-oriented" paint supply stores, and newspaper advertisements. However, these sources can only give you limited general information. In order to make an educated decision, you need some specific information about any person or firm you are considering hiring.

Always ask if the contractor is licensed and insured. Crescent Painting will gladly provide you with copies of our certificate of insurance. We will also provide bonding information (if the job is large enough to require such) and documentation of safety training and compliance programs.

Reputable contractors will encourage the use of a written contract. This contract should clearly explain the scope of the work to be performed. It should also cover such items as surfaces to be painted, methods and extent of surface preparation, time schedules for the project, and payment procedures. Knowing the total scope of the work enables you to carefully evaluate the different bids you may receive with the proper information and keep them on a level playing field. The contract serves to protect both you and the contractor.

Obtain a list of references from the prospective contractor. This list should include the contact person, address, and telephone number of the previous client. Follow up on this list with a phone call. Ask references if they know of any other work this contractor has performed. Be sure to ask whether the contractor and employees treated you professionally and with respect. The references you are interested in should be from projects similar in size and scope to yours. Also, these projects should be at least a few years old. This will help you gauge the performance of the construction and materials used. If possible, try to see the work that was done.

Discuss any guarantee or warranty programs the contractor may offer. Ask about the manufacturer's warranty on the products to be used on your project. Remember you are looking for long-term durability from the paint job. The use of high quality products is as important as the selection and performance of the contractor.

Ask your potential painting contractors if they are members of any trade associations such as the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA). PDCA is a professional association of contractors in the coatings industry. It has been in existence since 1884 and has over 3100 members all over the country and parts of Canada.

Good contractors are very eager for your business. They are also very proud of their craftsmanship. Once you have made your selection, step back and give the professional room to execute the project. You have both done your homework, so give the professional the opportunity to meet and exceed your expectations. Remember, as with anything else in life, you get what you pay for. If you want high quality and reliable service, be willing to pay the price that comes with it.