House painting projects can be surprisingly difficult. You buy your masking, your brush and rollers, your caulking, and your paint, and get to work. Soon enough you are wondering whether you bit off a bit too much work for a weekend warrior. In this quick article, we will discuss a few things to consider when thinking about hiring a house painting contractor.

Your safety

The first thing to consider when hiring a painting contractor is your own safety. As much as painting can appear casual and laid-back as far as trades go, several hours of reaching, looking up, straining and moving in a controlled, repeated, specific manner can have its toll on your body.

If your home is two levels high or more, or if certain sections are accessible only from a steep roof, you may consider whether you have the necessary equipment to properly access an area.

You may also consider whether there are potentially any lead or other particles, which, when cleaning and preparing the surface, may expose you to hazardous materials, such as asbestos.

Your project is complicated

Another aspect of painting projects is complexity. An article at construction management software site ProCore® explains Special Paint Circumstances that can contribute to cost. All homes vary in how difficult they are to paint, especially when in comes to color schemes and layout. There are some color schemes that are easier to paint than others. For example, if you want to have a different color for the body, gable ends, trims, and eaves, that will be more difficult than just having one body and trim color, painting your eaves and gable ends the same as the body color. First, you may need to mask off two or three times more lines, and second, you may need to wash your paint brush and rollers or have extras to switch colors.

Townhomes Are Complex Painting Projects Because The Trim Frequently Crosses The Body Color
Townhomes are complex in terms of painting – the trim crosses the body color every few feet, which requires extra time for masking.

Soffits? Fascia? GWB? It is all French to me.

If you are confused about building terms or construction materials, it might be beneficial to have a professional review your project. At the very least, they may point out technical aspects of your project of which you were unaware. Specific surface types or conditions might require different kinds of preparation. The level of preparation itself can vary depending on the kind of paint you use. For a primer on some common exterior surfaces, see our article Residential Exterior Paint Selection Factors.

Repairs take time

Most larger painting contractors are also able to address small carpentry repairs, such as the removal and replacement of rotten wood trims, broken siding, or shakes that are falling from the house. Discovering a piece of rotten trim board mid-project can extend your project timeline a few hours. If you do not own or are not comfortable with using carpentry tools like a table saw, chop saw, and jigsaw, you may find yourself getting into more work than you needed.

Timeline and Peace of Mind

Speaking of time: The painting project will finish quickly if you hire a reliable painting company. Knowing when the painting is happening can help you focus on other projects this Summer, and cross more from your list. If you hire an experienced painting contractor, you also usually get a workmanship warranty, such as Armadillo Painting’s standard Warranty, which is two years. Having someone experienced guide the project to a successful completion without your direct involvement and supervision can give you confidence and peace of mind. Armadillo Painting’s commitment to strong communication will also help you plan around the project.

Armadillo Painting is a leading residential and commercial painting company in the Greater Seattle area. We do our work on time, the right way, while delivering value to our customers. We understand that value means something different to everyone, and something different for every project. Call us at (425) 641-5465 or contact Armadillo Painting online to discuss your needs for residential home interior or exterior painting.

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