The purpose of this section of our website is to answer some of the more common questions our customers tend to have. If you have an important question you think should be here, but isn't, or would be of value to our visitors, please contact us .

How soon can I get you to start my job ? You will be notified how long our backlog of work is and we will keep you up to date on any scheduling issues by email or by phone.  

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I am getting a few bids before starting work on my home. Why is there so much variation in pricing ? Attention to detail during preparation is one reason. All of the steps from the prep process are covered up once your home is painted, and this is where some painters may take shortcuts in order to complete the work in less time, charging a lower price. The preparation makes or breaks the whole job. This is why it's critical that you receive a well written, detailed explanation of what each paint contractor proposes to do.

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Do I have to be at home while the painting is being done? No, you don't, but we prefer to have someone present. We normally arrive on the job before you need to leave for work and special arrangements can always be made to pick up a key ahead of time if needed. However, we realize that many people are uncomfortable with leaving workmen in their residence unattended, so even though we have never had a problem when it comes to the trustworthiness of our painters, we prefer to have someone at the job site.

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Can you repair holes in drywall or plaster and fix water stains ? Positively! We can replace and repair any drywall areas that may require attention. However, if water damage is involved we recommend that the source of the problem be resolved prior to replacing or repairing any of the damaged areas. We can also patch plaster walls and even match many classic textures done in plaster for an absolutely seamless repair.

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With water comes mold. What do you do about mold ? For exteriors, we will pressure wash with solutions that will kill the mold that is present, and remove with scrubbing as necessary. Mold inside the home can be a sign of a larger moisture problem and efforts should be made to find the source of the problem to correct it. Fans in laundry and bath areas help reduce the possibility of mold. We will properly clean, prime, and paint the affected area with a mildew-ide paint. Paints with mildew-ides are not a guarantee that mold won't reappear, but they do offer some help in prevention.

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What do I have to do in order to get ready for the painters? When we come in to paint your home, we are expecting to handle the surface preparation and painting only, unless you request a setup service.

Setup service would consist of placing all furniture in the middle of the area to be painted, removing all pictures, window treatments, switch plates and receptacle covers. All furniture and belongings are carefully covered and all floors are protected with canvas drop clothes during painting. The only items we ask the customer to move are the small, fragile items such as picture frames and glass decorations.* Upon completion of the painting we will place all furniture back in the location it was removed from and re-hang pictures and window treatments. If the painted surfaces are not ready for the pictures and window treatments to be reinstalled, then we can return the next day and do that.

If you would like to set the areas up for painting yourself, you do not need to cover all of the furniture and belongings. We will provide all coverings and drop clothes.

If you would like us to set the areas up for painting, we will do the setup with an additional fee (usually approximately 15% of the total cost of the job).

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How do I know if I have latex or oil based paint on my home ? The easiest way is with a test packet available at the paint store which you rub on the surface. If its latex the color will come off on the swab, if its oil based the color will not come off and the test area will regain its gloss. You can also use fingernail polish remover to perform the same test with a cloth or a paper towel.

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I want to paint my varnished wood trim white, will I need primer ? Wood trim is typically varnished or has some form polyurethane applied as a finish. You will need to lightly sand any glossy areas and prime with one coat of a good quality alkyd primer to seal and allow excellent bonding for the topcoats. Once the priming is done you are free to apply a latex finish to the trim such as Semi-Gloss.

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How is my furniture protected during painting?After moving the furniture into the middle of the room it will be covered in plastic. All floors will be protected with canvas drop clothes. We use clear plastic on the furniture so that you can always see what is under the covering. Many times if the furniture is covered with canvas you do not know what is under it and damage is much more likely to occur from the canvas when it is removed, not to mention the fact that nobody wants canvas with old paint all over it on top of their belongings.

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What kind of surface preparation is done? All holes are filled and sanded. All cracks are properly scraped out, filled and sanded. Caulking is inspected around all windows and frames, doors and door frames and re-caulked as needed. Crown molding, chair rail etc. are all caulked and properly prepared. All nail pops are repaired and sanded. Any water stains, crayon marks etc. are sealed before painting and grease and heavy dirt accumulations are cleaned. Any mildew that is present will be removed prior to painting.

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Can I paint the vinyl siding on my house ? Yes you can paint vinyl siding and its one of the easiest exteriors to paint. The siding requires little prep work other than a good cleaning with TSP. We suggest 2 coats of Low-Lustre applied by brush and small roller. You will find the paint will go a long way as the vinyl will not absorb the paint like a wood surface would. Lighter colors are best to avoid drawing the sun and causing the siding to shift too much.

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What kind of paint is used? We only use paints and primers from what we consider to be top of the line companies. As to the type of paint, oil based or latex, we would have to evaluate your home and see what your particular needs are. And we are certainly willing to meet your wishes.

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What if I don't like the color I picked? We want you to be happy upon the completion of your job. After selecting a painting contractor, the selection of colors to be used are the next most important decision that you need to make.

Take your time on color selection and only use a company that is willing to assist you in making those decisions. Ask for color charts ahead of time and maybe buy a quart or so of paint to try it on a couple of different areas of your home as well as in different types of lighting if you feel you need to. The cost of a few samples of paint is much cheaper than repainting a room or entire house if you end up unhappy with the color chosen.

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My friend has this color in their house that I like. Can I use it in my house, and will it look the same?
We can get the same color, but keep in mind that every house is different and the color may not look the same or have the same effect in your home as it does in theirs. Find out from your friend what the color is and get a sample. Lighting, carpet, furniture and other factors may give it a different look in your home.

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I have some cracks that always reappear, is there anything we can do? Cracks can always be repaired and regardless of the preparation done some may reappear. However your best chance at successfully repairing those cracks is to dig out the crack, fill it, tape it with a fiberglass mesh tape and sand it smooth. Then prime over your patched area before repainting.

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Do you remove wallpaper? Yes. We will remove wallpaper and this service is charged on a per-hour basis.

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How do I request an estimate? You may contact us and we will set up a time at your convenience to go over the work that you would like to get done, and also inspect the location for size and condition to give you the most competitive estimate.

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Is there a real difference between flat, high gloss, satin and eggshell finish? Yes. The difference can be a big one depending on the surface and area that you are preparing to paint. We always bring different finishes that you can choose and we also advise you on which type of finishes you need for different rooms.

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Which is better for repainting interior walls, latex or alkyd based paint? For most applications on interior walls, a latex paint will offer many advantages over alkyd paint. In most available products you will receive better color retention and the finish will be non-yellowing. Additionally, the latex products will have a lower odor, dry faster, and you will be able to clean up with soap and water.

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I see paint advertised all the time, which one should I use? When it comes to paint, it is true that "You only get what you pay for." Discuss what you want the paint to do with your professional installer or your paint store to determine the best product for your needs. Remember that the paint is only a small part of the job. It is always the best decision to use the best products.

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What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept payment by cash or check.

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Why is painting so expensive? Painting, like everything else, is expensive. In the last 10 years, what we have to pay out in labor has doubled. The cost of paint has increased about $10.00 per gallon. Insurance for a business has increased. So you are absolutely right, it is expensive. But not when you compare it to carpeting, fabric, wallpaper etc. which costs about $3.50 to $7.00 per square foot. At about $2.00 to $3.00 per square foot, painting maybe the most cost effective way to improve the look of your home and gives you the highest return of investment.

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What is your usual procedure to getting my place painted?

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