Specifications for Interior Painting

When it's time to paint the inside of your home and you're not going to do the work yourself, how do you make sure that you find the best company to do it for you, and how do you describe what you want done?

Specifications for Interior Painting

To do interior painting the right way takes skilled and careful people, top quality materials and great colors. In short, high quality interior painting is a job for a professional. Before you get estimates you should give careful thought to the project and the expectations you have for the results. Here are some questions you need to consider:

Questions to Ask Yourself

• What the goal is for the painting project? Is it decorative or just a quick clean up? Are you painting to live in the house or are you painting to sell it? The goal you have will guide you to answering the other questions.
• What areas will be painted?
• Are the ceilings to be painted, or just the walls?
• What about closet or cabinet interiors?
• Will the windows, doors and other trim be painted?
• What is the condition of the current work? Will cosmetic repairs such as caulking and patching be needed? How perfect do you want the repairs to be?
• What is on the walls now? If it's wood paneling, the walls must be primed. If it's wallpaper, usually it's best to remove it, wash the walls and prime them before repainting.
• What quality of paint do you want to use? There can be a big difference in grades of paint.
• Is there a brand of paint you prefer to use?
• Do you prefer oil base or latex paint for the trim? Not all painters can or will use oil base paint.
• Is there oil base or latex paint on the trim now? (Remember that oil base paint can usually be applied over existing latex paint, but the reverse isn't true in most cases unless the surface is primed.)
• What sheen of paint do you want for the trim?
• What sheen do you want for the ceiling and walls?
• Are there practical considerations for choosing the type and sheen of paint, such as the need for it to be washable?
• Will there be a color change? If so, priming and two finish coats may be needed.
• Do you want to use different colors on the ceiling and walls?
• Do you need help choosing colors?
• What are your expectations for removing door handles, knobs, hinges, light fixtures, switch plates and plug plates before painting?
• Are your rooms crowded with furniture and accessories?
• Will you want help removing things and preparing the room for painting?
• Will you want help putting things back?
• What are your standards for clean up, both daily and at the end of the job?
• Will you want a supply of paint for touch-ups?
• What is your timetable for doing the work?

Elements of Quality Interior Painting

To help you define your expectations, here are some of the elements of fine interior painting: The more you expect, the more time will be required to do the work, and the higher the cost. On the other hand, painting that is well done protects your home, adds to its value and greatly increases the enjoyment of living there. If you want a first rate job, here's what to specify:

• Careful protection of furniture, appliances and all areas adjacent to the work.
• Removal of door knobs, hinges and other hardware; removal or dropping and covering of light fixtures.
• Removal of switch plates, plug plates, vent covers and miscellaneous items. Agreement on whether these things are to be painted or just reinstalled at the end of the job.
• Meticulous surface preparation and cosmetic repairs, including thorough sanding, patching holes, caulking cracks. This phase of the work is crucial.
• Vacuuming to remove dust.
• Washing walls and woodwork to clean and remove the last of the dust just prior to painting.
• Use of premium materials that are appropriate to the project.
• Using the correct type of primer where needed.
• Sufficient number of coats to produce a uniform appearance. Trim will look its best with successive thin coats of enamel, sanded and cleaned with a tack cloth in between coats.
• No holidays or missed areas, no drips, runs or sags in the finished work. No obvious brush or roller marks.
• Thorough cleaning at the end of the project.
• Written specifications of the materials that were used in each room, including any special color formulas.
• Appropriately labeled touch up paint(s).

Whew! I'll bet you never thought a simple painting project could generate so many questions and issues, and we're not done yet. Once you've decided what the scope of work will be, how do you get estimates and find qualified, reliable people to do it?

Getting Estimates

If you can, it's best to provide bidders with a written scope of work so that all of them will know what you expect, and all will be bidding the job on the same basis. It's also easier for you to evaluate the bidders. Be sure every one of them specifies in writing that their terms are based on the scope of work you provided, or that they have noted any exceptions. At the very least you can use the questions and issues in this article as a starting point for your discussions.

What about finding people to bid your project? Of course, getting a referral from someone you know and whose judgment you trust is the best way, but always request a list of references and check them. You also can talk with the people at your local paint store and ask if they can suggest someone qualified for your type of project. There's nothing wrong with consulting the Yellow Pages. If you're comfortable with the way the contractor handles your inquiry, ask for an estimate. You also can check with the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau.

Evaluating the Bidders

Once you have the bidders, here are some ways to evaluate them. Keep in mind that there are many qualified contractors who have less than perfect business skills. 

• Did the estimator arrive on time for the appointment?
• Was the estimator neat, clean and polite?
• What was the condition of his vehicle? This is an indication of how well he'll care for your belongings.
• Will he provide a written estimate?
• Can he provide evidence of insurance?
• What about a list of references?
• Is this person established in the community?
• Is the person doing the estimate the same person who will be doing the work? If not, what are that person's qualifications?
• If time is of the essence, does he have a skilled crew who can meet your schedule?
• Can he help you with colors if you need it?
• Does the bidder seem knowledgeable? Ask questions.
• Are you comfortable having this person work in your home?
• What payment schedule is the bidder proposing? Never pay in advance to fund material purchases or make the final payment until you are completely satisfied with the work.

A Word About Color

Finding colors that work is one of the most important elements of a successful painting project. Everyone notices color before they notice anything else, so be sure you take the time to make large samples and live with them in all lighting conditions.

Summary

The best approach is to achieving high quality interior painting is to define what your expectations are and communicate them clearly. Always specify top grade materials in each category. Labor usually represents 75-80% of the total cost, and with quality painting you're paying for the time needed to do the work correctly and professionally. Always provide the same scope of work to the bidders so each is bidding on the same basis and you have a sound way to make comparisons. Where there are big differences in price, you can assume big differences in the work the bidder is going to do. If you do your homework, you're much more likely to get the results you want.