Understanding Your Interior Painting Estimate

Your interior painting estimate of your home or building requires many special considerations on the part of your professional painter. For this reason, many homeowners are a little bit surprised when they receive an interior painting estimate that is much higher than what they originally anticipated.

Often homeowners are very quick to suggest the painting contractor might be charging too much, and if you've received several bids and one interior painting estimate seems astronomically high it might be true. Sometimes, however, and this happens more often than not it's a case of the customer not fully understanding what is actually involved to complete their project.

To make the problem much worse, there are many handymen masquerading as professional painters. These are the painters who's work we are often hired to repair. Thankfully these painters who don't run reputable businesses and their unprofessional interior painting estimate are very easy to spot once you know what to look for.

Interior Painting Estimate includes Color Consultations

Some painters charge for this service, other painting contractors offer it for free as a courtesy for their customers. Color consultations with a professional that has painted hundreds of thousands of square feet of space can be very insightful and help you make those tough color decisions with your interior painting estimate.

A good color consultation appointment could take an hour or more, sometimes several. It may involve a few trips back and forth to the paint store too if we've exhausted our available samples. This is the time your painting contractor generally puts in before you've ever agreed to hire them. The time your painter spends with you consulting on your project colors is time they are likely going to bill you for.

Professional Painters Use Contracts For Interior Painting Estimate Projects

If you've ever received an interior painting estimate or work estimate on a piece of paper with handwritten notes you're either dealing with an old school craftsman or a painter that isn't really being on the level with you.

An interior painting estimate from a professional painter will be very detailed, and likely itemized. It could be several pages long. You'll receive a thorough description of the work involved, the materials being used, and any and all special requests you've asked for in writing. Having a written contract and a description of the work being performed protects both parties.

From the moment a painting contractor takes on your bid and wants to provide an estimate for your project they must assume they've already got the job and start planning accordingly. If not, how can they expect to give you an accurate estimate? This process can sometimes take several hours depending on the size of your project. This is all time a professional painter definitely deserves to be compensated for.

If your interior painting estimate looks professional, it's a good first indication that the painter behind it is professional too. If you received your estimate on a napkin, with a handwritten quote and several misspelled words, it might be a clue to keep looking for a different, more reputable painter.

Professional Painters Are Licensed and Insured

Licensing and proper business insured both for employees and the projects a painter works on are very expensive business expenses we must pay as professionals. You'd think this licensing and insurance would be obvious requirements but you might be surprised to know that many painting contractors have neither. What if the painter accidentally damages the interior of your home, or splatters paint all over your freshly, refinished hardwood floor?

Do you think that an unprofessional fly by night painter will be equipped to handle that situation, professionally and financially? It's unlikely.

Your estimate from a professional painter will probably mention the fact they are licensed and insured to do business in your area. Whatever area you are in, looking for the right one to suit you and where you live is key, whether you are looking for residential painters in Beaverton OR or residential painters in Portland, you want to be covered and assured that you are getting a good job done.

Professional Painters Use High-Quality Products

There are many different grades of paint from many more different paint manufacturers. They are not all created equal. This is why professional painters work with proven brands from paint manufacturers that have a solid reputation and stay on the cutting edge of painting technology. We'll tell you exactly what brands and specific paints we're using for your project. Some contractors will tell you that you're getting high-grade paint but is it really what's going on in your walls?

A professional painting contractor will be able to prove it and provide you with the necessary documentation for any warranty that might be available.

Does Your Interior Painting Project Involve Lead-Based Paint Removal?

If your home was built prior to 1978 there is a good chance your home was painted with lead-based paints or some parts may contain lead-based paints. This cannot be removed by any painter with a truck and a sander. Lead-Safe certified contractors need to go through special training to learn how to deal with harmful contaminants such as lead-based paints. It requires the use of special equipment and also specially trained staff as well.

Your painting estimate will include any information about dangerous paint removal and if required it should be detailed. Many painters will tell you this is not necessary. They are probably not licensed, nor have certification to handle these types of materials. Don't put your family at risk.

Professional Painters Offer A Written Warranty with an Interior Painting Estimate

This is an important one and it's a little bit deceiving because while some contractors will offer a warranty, they simply just won't service it. This is especially so with the lowest interior painting estimate. These painters undervalue their time because they need the next dollar quickly. It's not a guarantee that they'll be around in a year to fix that flaking, peeling paint they've left you with.

A professional painter will offer you a rock-solid warranty, in writing, and while that still not a guarantee you'll just have to look at the contractor's reputation, the length of time they've been in business, and how they conduct themselves to make that determination for yourself.

If your warranty information is clearly detailed and explained on the estimate you've received then it's a good sign.

Preparation Work and Property Protection with your Interior Painting Estimate

Any professional painter would agree this is probably the most important part of any painting project - interior painting estimate. The level of prep work your painter puts in will determine the visual aesthetics of the final product. If your interior painting estimate doesn't account for detailed prep work and an explanation of what your painter will be doing then keep looking. Professional painters put great emphasis on their prep work because they usually offer a warranty, and it costs money and time to service it. They want to do the job right the first time.

Another part of the prep work is making sure your property is protected. This can pose unique challenges when working inside your home or building. This means all areas not meant to be painted need to be covered and protected. This involves carefully masking all of your interior trim, removing baseboards, removing receptacles, placing drop cloths, and other "paint shields" we have at our disposal.

A good chunk of your interior painting estimate will account for the time and materials needed to prep your project for paint. This is important and you'll want to make sure you are getting what you're paying for.

Who Offers an Interior Painting Estimate in Portland, Oregon?

Mayco Painting LLC is a full-service interior painting contractor serving the Portland, Oregon area. We specialize in working with home and business owners to transform their boring, dull, and drab building interiors into fabulous bright new spaces. Ask for your interior painting estimate today!