For residential work, more and more homeowners and tenants are choosing to use painting contractors rather than doing the work themselves. This is to save time and labor, and to achieve the best possible job.

When assessing a paint job, the potential do-it-yourselfer
should consider such things as:

• How much surface preparation is needed and will I have the
  time to do it? will I be able to do the more demanding

• Aspects of the job such as climbing ladders, moving furniture, etc.?

• Will I be able to live with a room or area left unfinished when I am called away,
  return to my regular job, etc.?

When considering which contractor to utilize, be sure to do or determine each of the following:

• Talk with several contractors and get quotes from each. Ask about
  insurance and bonding.

• Determine what will be done for each type area (any wood trim,
  stucco, aluminum siding, walls of each room, etc.) for:

- surface preparation

- priming; what primer (type and brand) will be used

- finish coat: type and brand, where the brand fits into the
  manufacturer's line (premium, first, second, economy, contractor's,
  etc.) how many coats

• For exterior work, what will be done to protect plantings; for interior work, what will be
  done in regards to moving furniture, protecting furniture

• When will the work be started? And finished? How many painters will be working on the
  job? What will the remedy be if the job is not completed on time?

• What is the warranty on the work? Length of time, what type failures are covered, what
  is the remedy if there is a paint failure?

• Get names of previous customers from each contractor as references, and contact
  them to get their recommendation.

• Note whether the contractor was courteous and businesslike, punctual with appointments
  or in returning phone calls, quality-oriented, experienced ,and generally interested in doing
  business with you.

Then, take into account the information on each contractor and the asking price, to make an informed decision on which one to choose for your job.

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