10 Questions During Exterior Painters Quotes

10 Questions to Ask Any Exterior Home Painters

If you are thinking about painting the exterior of your home, you may have a few questions in mind for your potential paint contractor. Asking questions and doing extra research is the key to finding the best painter for your home improvement project.

Making sure you hire a true professional will ensure that you get the most durability and satisfaction out of your paint job. Save yourself time and frustration by asking the right questions to weed out inexperienced and unqualified companies pretending to be professional painters.

Before you commit to a company, come prepared with these in-depth questions to find the best company for your painting project.

These are the top 12 important questions to ask your exterior home painter. A true professional will be able to answer all these questions in full detail:

1. Which painting products do you suggest & why?

Painters tend to establish a relationship with a particular store or brand of paint. If a painter is reluctant to use another product, it is fair to ask why.

A potential contractor needs to be able to have facts to back up why they use a certain brand. If you are being steered toward a low-cost product, find a different painting company. Most professionals do not use paint from the big box chain stores for many reasons.

Remember you never get more than you pay for when it comes to house paint.

2. Are you familiar with Surfactant Leaching and the high potential of it in humid climates?

Surfactant leaching is the concentration of water-soluble paint ingredients called “surfactants” on the surface of latex paint. You can see the effects of surfactant leaching when the appearance of sticky brown residue or water spots appear on the paint.

3. Do you have insurance?

A painting contractor should have two types of insurance, Workmen’s Compensation, and Comprehensive Business Liability. Workmen’s Compensation protects the workers and you from liability while they are working on your property. Comprehensive Business Liability protects your property from damage by the contractor.

4. Should I spray or hand brush? Why one application over the other?

Both options have their pros and cons. Spraying is the faster method that usually only requires one coat coverage, is free of brush marks, and can get into hard-to-reach areas. Spraying does, however, does require more preparations.

Brushing offers an excellent controlled application and is better for getting into smaller cracks. Although, brushing takes longer, often requires two coats, and can leave unsightly brush marks.

Make sure your contractor has solid and definite reasons for picking one method over the other.

5. What are the differences between a flat and satin finish?

It is important to know the distinction between finishes. Flat finishes have a soft, velvety appearance that will not highlight minor bumps and gouges as would glossy coats.

There are many pros to flat finishes; however, it is flat is virtually impossible to clean. Satin finishes have a low shine with minor reflective qualities. Again, satin has its perks; however, it is a lot harder to apply because it shows imperfect textures.

Professional painters should be able to go into full detail about the pros and cons of each finish and which is a better choice for your home.

6. Do you suggest painting the gutters and downspouts?

You do not have to paint the gutters or downspouts; however, it does not make sense to go to the expense of painting your house and trim to have the gutters remain grimy. Gutters and downpipes can be very noticeable in most houses.

Usually, gutters and downspouts need to be painted when cleaning them doesn’t bring them closely back to their original color or if their color doesn’t match the same undertone of the new trim.

7. How long do you expect the new coating to last?

Exterior painting can last between 4 to 8 years, depending on the type of paint used and the surrounding environment. You can lengthen that time if the surface is prepped properly, premium paint products are used, and you keep up with yearly power washing.

8. Which exterior colors are more subject to fade?

There are some colors that are subject to fading worse than others. These colors include bright colors like bright reds, blues, yellows, and some grays will be more vulnerable to UV radiation and fade faster.

Colors like tans, beiges, and browns will last longer on exterior surfaces.

9. Does the work come with a warranty?

If your painter is using premium-grade paint, they should provide a guarantee for the work. The warranty should also be available in writing.

10. How long has the painting company been in business?

It is important to know how long the company has been in business. As a rule of thumb, it is better to go with a painting company that has been in business for at least 5 years.

Ready To Paint The Exterior of Your Triangle Home?

The most important part of painting your home’s exterior is picking a transparent and reliable company. We are a locally owned mid-sized company striving to provide the Triangle area with the best exterior paint jobs.

Call us at 919-426-4928 or download our brochure that highlights additional services that we provide.