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Do you remember the last time you tackled a paint job inside your house? Maybe you still have nightmares about the endless taping and other prep work, the drips, brush or roller marks and crooked edges. Even avid do-it-yourselfers have to admit that hiring a professional painter is usually worth the extra expense. Although, even with a painting contractor, there are things to know to make the job go more smoothly.

 

Here is why you should use a professional painter. 

Professional painters can usually guarantee a quicker, higher-quality and more accurate paint job than you could do yourself. Licensed pros know the best and fastest ways to prepare walls before painting — removing wallpaper, refinishing plaster, sanding, spackling, priming — for a better result, according to Ron Bledsoe of Paint Ovations in Plano, Texas. And the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) says painting pros have more education and knowledge than homeowners about how various paints work and how durable they are.

 

Which painting contractor should I choose?

You should work with a professional painting contractor who is licensed and insured. Ask about insurance and bonding to be sure that all workers are covered for any injuries. Find out if the company provides a warranty on its work and for how long. You may want to ask how long the company has been in business and if its painters are employees or subcontractors. Sherwin-Williams recommends getting at least three references from past customers.

 

How much does it cost to paint the interior of my home? 

A cost estimate, or quote, should include all labor and materials, including the type of paint that will be used. Paint Ovations only works with high quality paints from Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore. Additional detail work, such as intricate molding or drywall repair prep, usually will increase the cost due to the extra time required. Costs vary by the size of the project, and the amount of detail and fine-finish work to be done.

 

Ron, says his firm measures each room and charges by wall square footage. “We use PDCA rates for the ‘average’ painter to determine hours of work and spread rates of paint to determine the paint quantities.” Using these numbers, they calculate the time needed, plus paint cost, plus markup on a per-item basis — factoring in such things as windows, moldings, cabinetry and ceiling type — to arrive at a quote.

One of Paint Ovations recent interior jobs, a three-bedroom, two-bath house with ceilings about 2,200 sq. ft., was priced at about $3,500.  The homeowners decided to have Ron also paint the kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them and this added another $3,300 to the cost, but saved over $30,000 on a full kitchen remodel.

 

Ron also, says large interior painting projects typically run about $6,000+. He defines large size as a 4,000 sq. ft. and up.

 

Other Interior Painting Cost Factors 

• extreme ceiling and wall heights and a need for special equipment are among the factors that go into pricing a painting project.
• stripping paint and removing wallpaper, as there are so many variables involved, and there’s no way of knowing what you’re getting into until you start.
• dealing with any remediation for lead paint in structures built before 1978.

 

EPA Lead Paint Laws

 

How Long Does It Take to Paint the Interior of a Home? 

Depending on the size of the house, count on the work taking several days. A three-bedroom home interior could take three to five days, depending on the scope of the work.  How many colors and what is getting painted or fixed before painting will add time.  This is where experience comes into scheduling how long it will take.  Ron, has been in the painting business since 1994, he has seen quite a bit when it comes to painting the interior of your house.

Text Us for Fast Service, Quotes and Information  (972) 741-4995

 

How to hire a painting contractor. 

Many painters visit the site for a free initial consultation to talk about the scope of the project, and estimate the cost and amount of time it will take. Benjamin Moore recommends walking each potential contractor around the house, specifying which surfaces you want painted, such as walls, trims, moldings and ceilings.

 

Painting Estimate Cost and Process

 

Before work begins, you should obtain a written contract detailing the work to be done. Read it over carefully to make sure it is clear what surfaces are to be painted, how long the project will take and how the contractor will be paid.

 

Choosing a color or colors for walls and ceilings.

When it comes to choosing colors, some painters provide a fan deck of swatches or refer customers to local paint stores to research colors. Ron says he also refers clients to Dallas-area designers he works with for color consultation. Paint sample colors can be provided.

Paint Ovations, recommends working with a local professional interior designer.  Principal designer, Laura Louise Garcia, who graduated from the Art Institute of Colorado in 2009 with a degree in Residential Kitchen & Bath Design.

She’s spent the last 10+ years helping people just like you get the spaces they deserve.  You can find out more about Laura at L2 Interiors.  Hiring a good interior decorator for your next project will save you lots of time as well as a few headaches.

 

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Preparing for a painting contractor. 

Most homeowners are expected to remove wall hangings and accessories from the work area, and most painters will help move larger items. Painters take care of covering furnishings and masking areas with tape as part of their prep work before painting begins. Homeowners aren’t expected to provide anything — a reputable professional painting contractor should be well-equipped with all the necessary supplies.

 

What to expect during your painting project. 

In addition to the painters, you should expect a crew leader to be on site during the project. At Paint Ovations, Ron says, if he isn’t on the job, he is in constant contact with his lead painter.  If any issues or questions arise, he knows immediately.

After covering furnishings and floors to protect them, and using tape to mask off areas that won’t be painted, the painters repair surface imperfections — caulking holes and cracks and spackling any dents in the drywall.  When the painting is done, the crew will clean rooms, and move furniture back into place.

 

The best time of year to paint the interior of your home. 

There’s no best time of year for painting interiors, but keep in mind that painters throughout the Dallas. are more likely to be busy painting exteriors during the summer. Ron at Paint Ovations, says his Plano based company does most of its interior work from September to April, with right before the holidays a busy interior paint time of year.

 

Fall Painting in Dallas 

 

With the holidays fast approaching what are your plans for interior painting project?  Kitchen cabinet refinishing upgrade?  Dining area make over? Or how about the Christmas tree area to make a great image for a family postcard?

Regardless of the room, Paint Ovations is here to serve you and all you painting needs, interior, exterior, cabinets, doors and more.

Text Us for Fast Service, Quotes and Information  (972) 741-4995

 

 

 

 

(c) 2018 Paint Ovations

Written by Contractor Marketing Network for Paint Ovations