Painting Process

Exterior

• Workers will typically begin between 7:30am. and 9:00am.
  
  
• Workers will typically work 8 hours except on the first and last days where workers may leave early.
  
  
• Crews typically consist of two or three people. One person is the designated foreman and he will be the one to talk to about the progress of your painting project. If there are any questions regarding the price or you wish to add an option, please speak with your Contractor.
  
  
• A lawn sign will be put up in front of your home. We would appreciate if you could keep it up for 2 weeks. Call us and we will come and remove it.

• Before the start of the job, you should have already selected the colors and communicated your choices to our Contractor. If undecided about final color selection, we will come by to apply the selected colors to you home in a small "test patch" area.
  
  
• We ask you to move any "not-to-be painted" items away from the side of your home. This could include firewood, furniture, etc.
  
  
• We ask you to provide a spot where we can set up and keep our tools and equipment. We will lay dropcloths down to protect the area. A garage, shed or patio area are suitable.

• The pressure washer is a loud gas powered machine (about as loud as a lawn mower).
  
  
• The pressure washer will knock some of the failing paint off of the house. This will create paint debris around the house and most of this will be cleaned up on the first day. Any remaining paint debris will be cleaned upon job completion.
  
  
• The pressure washer sprays a high powered stream of water at the house and water will enter the house through any open windows (or windows that do not seal well.) Please inform the Contractor and/or paint crew of any areas where water may enter the house.
  
  
• Pressure washing often leaves windows streaky so it is best to have the windows cleaned after the house is pressure washed (and painted) and not just prior.

2. Trenching

• A 3" - 6" trench will be dug around the perimeter of home/building.

• Scraping will be done to all areas where the paint is loose, and may take place on the first day or any day thereafter.
  
  
• Scraping is designed to remove any failing paint (most of the scrapings will be cleaned up daily, and all will be cleaned up at the conclusion of the job).
  
  
• Small areas will need to be scraped again following the application of primer or paint because some paint will be pulled up from the surface following the application of paint or primer.

• We will feather sand areas where the paint has failed and the material below is showing, unless otherwise clarified in the contract. Feather sanding is designed to reduce the visibility of the ridge that is created by the paint failures. Sanding will not eliminate the paint ridge. It will only reduce the visibility of them.
  
  
• Light sanding is done on glossy and certain other unpainted surfaces to create a "bite" on the surface for the latex paint to adhere to.

• We prime all areas where there is a bare surface (wood, metal, etc) with a high quality exterior primer. This protects the surface and gives the paint something to bond to.

• The caulk that we use is a latex, water-based material. As caulking material dries, it will shrink about 30% . It is designed to seal cracks that are not larger than 1/8 inch.
  
  
• We caulk all areas around the home that were previously caulked where necessary. These areas could include window and door trim (where trim pieces come together).
  
  
• Most wood sidings are not designed to be caulked due to the amount that they shift and move. When they are caulked, the caulking often fails or pulls away from the wood siding. Therefore we do not caulk these areas.
  

• If there is loose or failing paint on stucco then this will be scraped or wire brushed.
  
  
• Small cracks can and will be caulked with an elastomeric caulking. This is textured to blend in with the stucco. However, such cracks may still be noticeable after the paint application. Hairline cracks will be left alone to be filled in by the paint, which will be sprayed on and back rolled in to minimize the appearance of these cracks.
  
  
• Large cracks can and will be filled with a stucco patch, as well as smaller holes.
  
  
• Holes that are the size of a half dollar unless they are very shallow can not be fixed using a stucco patch and must be fixed prior to our arrival, unless specified in the contract.

• When spraying is necessary all windows will be masked. The masking used is a thin layer of opaque plastic sheeting that will be taped over the windows. The masking will remain over the windows from 1-3 days while spraying is being done around the house.
  
  
• Other areas that will be masked around the house include the ground, roof line, and other areas that are not to be painted.
  
  
• Trees, plants and shrubs around the house will also be covered up. However, if they are touching the house or if they are very large they may get some paint on them.
  
  
• Some small plants or flowers may get flattened due to the covering that is used.
  
  
• In order to work around the house we must be able to walk around the house. Plants that are close to the house may be unavoidably stepped on.

• Our policy is to spray all areas that can be sprayed. On medium to thick stucco, and on some wooden surfaces, the area will be back-rolled as well to push the paint in and to give a more even and uniform finish.
  
  
• All areas that can not be sprayed will be rolled if possible.
  
  
• All areas that can not be rolled, or sprayed, will be paint brush applied.

• Confirm with the Contractor whether you are to receive one or two coats of paint.
  
  
• With any color change, it is recommended that two coats are done to ensure that the color does not bleed through. Some really bright or really dark colors may need three coats of paint. If this is required, the Contractor will outline the additional cost.

Interior

• Workers will typically begin between 7:30am. and 9:00am.
  
  
• Workers will typically work 8 hours except on the first and last days where workers may leave early.
  
  
• Crews typically consist of two or three people. One person is the designated foreman and he will be the one to talk to about the progress of your painting project. If there are any questions regarding the price or you wish to add an option, please speak with your Contractor.
  
  
• A lawn sign will be put up in front of your home. We would appreciate if you could keep it up for 2 weeks. Call us and we will come and remove it.

• Before the start of the job, you should have already selected the colors and communicated your choices to our Contractor. If undecided about final color selection, we will come by to apply the selected colors to you home in a small "test patch" area.

• Please take all small valuables out of the rooms to be painted.
  
  
• Whenever possible, we appreciate if you can move the furniture to the middle of the room. If you cannot, our painters will do this when we start.
  
  One our first day
  
  • Confirm with the Contractor the colors that are to be applied to each room. If a test patch has not already been done, please ask to see the color up on the wall to assure your satisfaction with it.
    
    
  • Tell the Contractor what you want to have done with nails and nail holes. If you would like to hang your pictures back where they were before, then tell the Contractor to paint over the nails. Otherwise, we will remove the nails and fill the nail holes with drywall compound.
    
    
  • We will dropcloth all flooring and furniture.
    
    
  • We remove all faceplates.
  
  How we operate
  
  • Painting the interior of your home can be intrusive. We want to minimize the pain as much as possible. We ask you to communicate with us regarding the order in which you would like us to paint your home.
    
    
  • We move all the furniture back to where it was before.
    
    
  • We replace the faceplates.
  
  When we are done
  
  • Walk around with the Contractor to ensure your total satisfaction. If there are any touch-ups to be done, now is the time to do it.