Where
to look
There are many ways to find a reputable contractor. Ask
your friends and neighbors or your local paint store manager
for recommendations.
If you visit a home and you especially like the work, get
the name of their contractor. You might also look for advertisements
in the local newspaper or the yellow pages. Check licenses
and references for each potential contractor.
Think it through
Before you pick up the phone, sit down with your spouse
or a good friend and think through your project. Write down
exactly what you want done, which colors and sheen you're
after. Also note any of your special concerns, for example,
an antique table that needs to be handled delicately. When
preparing your preliminary time line, expect a waiting period
of several weeks from
the time you choose your contractor to the actual start
of the project.
Get your bids
Now you're ready to solicit two or three bids for the work
you need. Make sure you provide identical
information to all bidders. Notice if the contractor returns
your call promptly. Does he arrive on time to
evaluate your job and does he provide a written estimate
shortly
after the initial visit?
Avoid un-reliables
As more people move into the city from the suburbs, the
value of your home increases and so does the
demand for contracting work. As a result, less experienced
contractors
have surfaced who are also less than reliable.
Here's What Happened...
A Capitol Hill resident hired someone to replace her roof
at a cost of $10,000. Shortly after the job was completed,
the roof began to leak. The contractor could not be found
and she had to hire another contractor for even more money
to repair the mess left behind.
|
|
|
Read
between the lines
Once you get your bids, review
them carefully. Discuss the bid in detail to make
sure you understand the reasons for any potential
price variations. A low bid is not always the
best bid. In fact, an attractively low bid which
supplies sub-grade materials or labor can easily
become the most expensive bid in the end.
Here's What Happened...
A city resident spent $20,000 to repoint the brick
façade and sidewall
of his home. Several years later, he decided to
paint the outside of the house when he discovered
that the repointing was done incorrectly. Because
the mortar was literally falling out, he spent
$27,000 more to have his house repointed correctly.
Quiz your contractor
The most time-consuming and labor intensive part
of a quality paint job is
the preparation work. This prep work will make
the difference between a
paint job that lasts one year or ten. When selecting
a contractor, ask him about the specific surface
preparations he will perform. Scraping, sanding,
caulking and
patching usually represent more than half of the
work.
Before you sign
When you have the bids in hand, compare apples
to apples. That means compare the same grade of
materials and the same procedures. This includes
the area to be painted,
the number of coats to be used, the grade of paints
and similar preparation steps.
Know that the contract protects both you and the
contractor. Get all
promises in writing and spell out exactly what
the contractor will do. If you intend to do some
of the work yourself or have another contractor
do it, write these qualifiers into the contract.
|
|
Never sign a blank or partially completed contract.
Obtain a copy of the signed contract for your records.
The financial terms should clearly indicate the total
price, the timing of payments and the procedure for
canceling. Never pay full price up front.
Get the lead out
Finally, be sure to ask for a copy of the Protect
Your Family from Lead pamphlet if your house was built
before 1978. There are laws pertaining to lead but
not all contractors or omeowners are aware of the
requirements . . .
Here's What Happened...
A District resident hired a contractor to remove paint
from the house
exterior. Five workers used propane torches to illegally
heat and remove the lead paint. These workers didn't
practice safe procedures, they didn't use the proper
breathing apparatus
and they didn't take any measures to protect the adjoining
properties. As a result, their grinding and sanding
created leaded dust which literally
covered entire yards nearby.
A toddler was among the neighbors who were exposed
to lead hazards.
One neighbor notified the appropriate authorities
and the District shut down the job for unsafe
practices. Fortunately, the toddler did not suffer
lead contamination but the contracting homeowner bore
the sole responsibility and cost of hiring a lead-hazard
abatement company at
$1,200 per day.
Taking the time to plan your project, ask questions
and check references pays off handsomely in a job
well done! |
|
|
