Frequently Asked Questions...
1) What kinds of paint do you use?
Our favourite brands are Sherwin-Williams and Dulux, but we're
happy to use any premium brand you may wish to supply.
2) Who supplies the paint?
Either you can supply the paint, or we can - whichever works
best for you. It's cheaper if you supply it, although you may find
it more convenient to have us supply it, even if it costs a little bit
more. Most customers choose to pick it up themselves, as due to
our exclusive supplier arrangements, you get a 20% discount 20% discount when you pick up the paint as our customer. People find it convenient, as they're already at the store to pick
colours, and they also like having control over the selection of
lines and finishes with the helpful assistance of store staff.
Keep a lookout for retail sales, which typically offer discounts
from 25-even 50% off, and usually run in the spring and fall - you'll save the most money that way. You don't even need to have your colours necessarily picked out - as long as you have a general idea of how dark the colour will be, and which base accordingly (ie white, medium or dark), you can buy as many cans a you think you'll need, and get it tinted later, free of charge. It's okay if the paint has sat for months - they'll just shake it up for you.
If we supply the paint, we charge simple flat rates of $60 for
primers and ceiling paints, $80 for wall and trim paints, and $90
for exterior paints. Miscellaneous supplies, such as compound and
caulking, are generally supplied free of charge.
3) How much paint will I need, and in what sheens?
We can tell you you how much paint to pick up, and in which
sheen etc. Generally speaking, you can figure on one gallon of
wall matt per average-sized room (or two small bathrooms, or
two gallons for a high foyer, for example), one gallon of ceiling
flat per two average-sized ceilings, and one gallon of trim semi-
gloss will do three to five rooms of trim, depending on how many
doors there are, and the size and type of trim you have.
4) Your prices include a standard two coats - what if a third coat is required?
A third coat (or occasionally even a fourth) may be required if
you're covering a dark colour with a light colour, or using colours
with yellow tints etc. This may already be discussed and
accounted for in your original quote, but in the event that we're
unsure until we start painting, or you've selected, for example, a
light colour in the yellow end of the spectrum after you've been
quoted, the price would be adjusted accordingly. To keep things
simple, we have a standard flat rate surcharge of $50 per
additional coat per average-sized room.
5) Do you give free estimates?
Yes. We provide you with a free, written, detailed estimate - a
firm, all-inclusive labour price up-front, so there are no surprises.
We also include a list of approximately fifty local references of
previously satisfied customers, grouped by town or city for easy
reference.
6) Is the paint included in the price?
No, unless otherwise indicated. Even if we are supplying the paint, we always quote the labour separately, as a firm price, and then simply add the paint to the final bill, as per the flat rates listed above.
7) Do you require a deposit?
Generally, no, especially if you are supplying the paint. If we're supplying the paint, we may ask that you give the painter an advance on the day we start, just to cover the cost of the paint, and then any adjustments will be made to the final bill accordingly. Our preference is always to keep the paint and labour pricing separate, where possible, in order to keep things simple and transparent.
8) What if I am interested in having some additional work done while your crew is here?
If you'd like to have some additional work quoted while our crew is there, please contact the owner/estimator directly, and we'd be more than happy to either give you an estimate over the phone, or stop by and quote you on the additional work. Our painting staff do not get involved with any aspect of pricing.
8) Who do I pay at when the job is finished?
Payment is generally due upon completion, and when you've verbally signed off with our painting staff that you're happy with the job. Although advance payments for paint can be made directly to our painting staff at the outset of or during the job, they do not get involved with any aspect of labour payment or collections. The final payment for the labour will be handled by the owner/estimator, who will stop by at a mutually agreed upon time to settle up with you.
9) How soon can you start the job upon approval?
We can usually start anywhere from within a few days to a few
weeks, depending on our schedule and the size of the job. Small
jobs are generally easier to squeeze in on short notice than
larger projects, which normally require a little more lead time.
10) What kind of hours do you work? Do you work week-
ends?
It's really up to you. We can work normal business hours if you
prefer; we're also frequently available to work later into the
evenings or on week-ends, depending on our mutual schedule.
Many customers also find it convenient to provide us with a
key so that we may come and go without being dependent on
you being there, if, for example, you leave early for work, or plan
to be away on vacation while the work is done. The more
flexibility we have in this regard, the more productive we can be
and the more efficiently we can usually complete the job.
11) What do we need to do to get ready for you?
Please remove all small items, pictures and curtains etc in areas where we're going to start (other rooms can be dealt with
as we progress). Furniture moving can be mutually decided.
It's a good idea to vacuum, especially around the baseboards
to prevent dirt and hair getting into the paint. It's also an
opportune time to reassess and decide whether it's time to
update and replace switch-plates, light fixtures, curtain rods,etc,
and remove them accordingly, or let us know to remove them.
For exterior projects, remove any items that might obstruct
ladder set-up or our access to work areas, prune plants or
shrubs which are too close to the house, and park your vehicles
well away from the house.
12) What kinds of sheens and finishes do you recommend?
We generally use flat for ceilings, a scrubbable/washable, low-
sheen matt for most walls, and semi-gloss for trim and doors. A
kitchen & bath paint with an eggshell finish is recommended for
bathrooms, and either an eggshell or semi-gloss sheen for
kitchen cabinets.
13) We have an older home, with outdated-looking
panelling, bathroom tile, varnished wood, kitchen
cupboards etc - can these surfaces be painted?
Yes; many unusual surfaces such as these typically found in
older homes, can definitely be painted, provided they are first
coated with a super-adhesion primer, which can then be top-
coated with latex. Not only is painting these areas considerably
more economical than renovating or replacement - it's also
usually easier and more convenient.
14) Can aluminum and/or vinyl siding be painted?
It certainly can; in fact, it holds paint much better than wood,
and can be expected to last for fifteen to twenty years, as there
are no issues with cracking, rotting, water penetration etc, and
as such is arguably one of the most cost-effective exterior
painting investments you can make over the long term. It needs
to be washed down first, then double-coated with an acrylic
latex.
15) Do you remove wallpaper?
Yes. However, unlike our painting quotes, which are firm, the paper removal portion of the price is not guaranteed, as u unfortunately there is no way of knowing how the paper will come off until we actually begin to remove it! For that reason, we will indicate the minimal time allotment for that portion of the project on your quote, and if, once we begin, we determine that it will take significantly longer, we will notify you immediately with an adjusted estimate. We charge $35/hour for the extra time beyond the original time allotment in your quote.
In our experience, we find that the paper comes off within the expected time allotment around 80% of the time; unfortunately, around 20% of the time, it comes off slowly in little bits and pieces, regardless of method, and it can take twice as long.
It should be noted, that if you're reluctant to take this estimated risk of paying extra for this service, you should remove the paper yourself before we get there, as it's understandably impractical for us to stop working once the job is in progress!
If you do decide to remove the paper yourself, please take care to minimize wall damage, as that will increase the prep time later to fix the holes and dents etc, which may entail a price adjustment if the paper was removed after the job was quoted.
16) Do you have any tips for looking after our new paint
job?
Yes - go easy on it for the first month or so! Many people don't
realize that fresh paint takes about one month under ideal
conditions to properly harden and cure. During that time, it's more susceptible to chipping and abrasion, so don't scratch it, wash it, or hang any borders for at least four weeks, just to be
on the safe side.
Over the long term, washing painted surfaces is a simple and
cost-effective way to keep them looking fresh. Avoid using
abrasive cleaners; usually water alone works just fine without
damaging the finish. Use a sponge or rag on your interior walls
and trim, and a soft car brush and an extension pole for exterior
trim, doors, and siding.