Focus on Value more than Price when Taking Estimates from Chico Painters

In this blog post we will discuss the actual value you receive in the paint job, and important factors to consider that go far beyond just a base price. There will probably be several points here that you may not have given  any though to, but it will behoove you to do so. This article may help you understand exactly what it is you want, who is most likely to  provide it, and what a fair price for that service might be.

What it is you’re looking for

Whether you are looking for interior painting or exterior painting, you are most likely just looking to solve a problem. You need your home painted and want a painting company to get it done. You’ve probably done a Google search and quickly realized there are far more painters in Chico than expected. There’s definitely more than enough to choose from, and most likely you are calling on three to compare prices. Before comparing estimates. have an idea of what you ‘re looking for and what is important to you . Do you just want the lowest price and quality isn’t an issue? Do you want the highest quality and price isn’t a large factor? Are you somewhere in the middle? Do you plan to sell the house, or did you just buy it? Are you going to rent the house out or live in it? These are important questions that may help determine what you need. It will also help you decide what quality level you want and what you’re willing to pay for it. Determine what value you are likely to receive from the contractor and their work. After doing so you will be in a much better position to make a decision. Focus on the value received for the money, rather than just  price from lowest to highest bid.

Qualifying Painting Contractors

I assume you will do your due diligence here and won’t go too far into it.  Insure they have a State Contractor License and see how long they’ve been in business. Make sure they are bonded and insured, and carry workers compensation. Read their reviews and see what others have to say. Check out their website and see if they appear professional and competent to complete what you need done in a reasonable time frame. Spending time in this stage and qualifying contractors can save you from a ton of grief in the long run. If everything looks good to you, give them a call and see what feeling you get from them. If any company request a 50% deposit up front this should be considered a red flag. CA state law only allows a contractor to request a 10% deposit or $1,000, which ever is less. We never ask for a deposit and receive full payment only after you are completely satisfied with the service.

Comparing Estimates

By now you have a pretty good idea of what you want, and what your budget is. You have probably contacted a few contractors who you are reasonably sure of and are waiting on estimates.  There will probably be large differences in price from contractor to contractor, depending on who you call. Asking the right questions and receiving a detailed itemized proposal will go a long way in helping you make decisions.

• Make sure there’s a description of the level of preparation and what steps will be taken.
• Get an itemization list of exactly what will be painted.
• What name brand of paint will be used and the actual product name (all brands have different levels of quality).
• How many coats of paint will be applied?
• Will they be using a Urethane trim enamel paint or just a standard wall latex paint?
• When the paint is sprayed with an airless sprayer will it also be back rolled (someone coming behind the sprayer with a roller)?

Also important is how the contractor counts coats.  If it is being sprayed; the back roll isn’t a second coat.  Back rolling is just to assist the first coat to penetrate better and make an even application. Many contractors will count the back roll as the second coat when it truly is not.

Each contractor may have a different idea on how much preparation will be required to do the job properly.  One contractor may be planning on several days of preparation, while another may see it as one day or less. The amount of days may very according to how many Employees they have on the job however. Regardless, there is a proper level of preparation needed for a quality paint job. You want to make sure you  receive the level of preparation needed to get the job done right. If the job is not done right you will experience paint failures, most likely within six months.

Due to the levels of preparation and quality of materials; there will most likely be  differences in the pricing. By comparing all aspects of the estimate, and asking more questions if necessary, you can figure out the best option.

Getting the most for your money

No one wants to pay more than they have to, and everyone wants a good deal. It may not be an easy decision to make when choosing a painting contractor. You can’t just go by price alone. The contractors are probably all doing different levels of quality craftsmanship as well as materials. There may be a difference in how many coats of paint are applied as well. As if that’s not enough; there can also be a difference in the actual paint thickness level as well.  I always say “we make our paint jobs look like a cake”. This is due to the thickness and sheen of the paint, as well as the overall quality of our work. Often times a Customer will say “I see what you mean about it looking like a cake”. 

It’s a good idea to spend a little time with the contractor and learn about their whole process. Have them follow up with some photos of actual jobs they have done. Look at the before, during, and after pictures or any video they may have of their projects. Again, read their reviews, and maybe even get some references if you need more convincing. 

Value and Price

Value and price may be two entirely different things. The lowest price may not be the best deal, but then again, the highest price may not be either. On the other hand; the higher price paint job may actually last several years longer than the lower price paint job. If that’s the case; then it is actually the lower price paint job in the long run. You will receive more value from higher quality materials and craftsmanship. The better the job is done the longer it will last, and the better it will look. The better the job is done the more valuable it will be to you. The better the company, the better the service, the more value you will receive. When a company is very attentive to your needs, communicates well, and is easy to get a hold of, it adds value. When a company stays in constant contact with you and does things right the first time it adds value. When a company does things right and usually quality materials, they are using running efficiently. When this is the case; they can provide good value at a fair price.

Make it Easy on Yourself, Hit the Easy Button!

The easiest way to get a quality paint job while checking off all the items listed here is to just contact us Today! SPEEDY-CLEAN Painting & Pressure Washing has been in business since 1995, and has a proven track record. Serving Chico and surrounding areas with one happy Customer after another. We don’t require a deposit up front and offer a 100% $7,000 Satisfaction Guarantee. Hiring us is virtually risk free. We love what we do and so will you !

Have Your House Painted…Feel Better! ™