Painting - Exterior Painting
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Cicco
02-20-03, 08:22 AM
The exterior paint on our house is in dire need of a fresh coat. I'll be making a few calls to some local painting contractors to get quotes. What kinds of questions should I ask. What should I look for in a paining contractor.
chfite
02-20-03, 11:14 AM
Does the job include pressure washing, repair and replacement of rotted boards, caulking and puttying of nailheads and such. What paint will be used? Which primer? (for new wood and bare old wood)
Using the top of the line paint whether alkyd or latex is a cheap increment in the overall cost of the job and can make all the difference in performance. The big expense in painting is the labor, not the materials.
You can't paint over dirt or mildew. If the house will not be washed, the paint won't last.
Ask if there will one or two finish coats. Depending upon the condition of your current paint, one coat may last for many years. The important thing is to know if there will be one or two. If it is for one and the finish coat looks weak, you don't want to be over a barrel on the cost of a second coat.
The contract should cover removal and disposal of the cans and other materials that some trash services consider to be hazardous wastes. If the contractor does not manage this, you may have to haul it off yourself. Insurance, licenses, permits.
Using the top of the line paint whether alkyd or latex is a cheap increment in the overall cost of the job and can make all the difference in performance. The big expense in painting is the labor, not the materials.
You can't paint over dirt or mildew. If the house will not be washed, the paint won't last.
Ask if there will one or two finish coats. Depending upon the condition of your current paint, one coat may last for many years. The important thing is to know if there will be one or two. If it is for one and the finish coat looks weak, you don't want to be over a barrel on the cost of a second coat.
The contract should cover removal and disposal of the cans and other materials that some trash services consider to be hazardous wastes. If the contractor does not manage this, you may have to haul it off yourself. Insurance, licenses, permits.
Cicco
02-20-03, 12:59 PM
I've had several painting contractors tell me that the siding (cedar) is in good shape. One contractor wanted to apply a primer coat with two addtional coats. The second contractor told me a primer coat wasn't necessary. Their quotes were pretty close.
The siding hasn't been painted in probally 20 years. I'm guessing its the orginal paint. It was also mentioned that a primer could be tinted therefore reducing the need for the second coat. What do think about that? Is a primer really necessary. I dought the wood will bleed through since its so old. Any concerns here?
The siding hasn't been painted in probally 20 years. I'm guessing its the orginal paint. It was also mentioned that a primer could be tinted therefore reducing the need for the second coat. What do think about that? Is a primer really necessary. I dought the wood will bleed through since its so old. Any concerns here?
chfite
02-20-03, 06:48 PM
It is hard to argue against a coat of primer.