Frequently Asked Quesions
“Who actually does the painting and supervising?”
At Cleanline the company owner works from start to finish on each and every job alongside a crew of journeyman painters and helpers. This approach gives you the speed of a full crew, but also the quality and attention to detail of having every bit of the work either performed or directly supervised by the owner. Usually I (the owner) perform the most critical parts of the job, like spraying, highly precise masking, and detail painting. In all cases I inspect every bit of work on all jobs for quality.
“What’s the difference between a good quality paint job and a bad one?”
Prep of surfaces prior to painting is essential. The new paint must have a solid surface to which it can adhere, so unsound paint must be scraped or sanded away. If new paint is applied over unsound existing paint, the old paint will simply peel off and take the new paint with it, leaving a bare spot. Proper film thickness is important too, with no ‘light areas’ that could be a weak spot. Thorough caulking is also important where applicable, such as around windows. These things, plus high quality materials used throughout the job, are what make the difference.
“Do you require money down?”
No. You don’t pay a cent until the job is complete and you are completely satisfied.
“Do you provide free estimates?”
Yes. I come and look at your project and thoroughly discuss your needs and options with you, and we design the best plan for your particular situation.
“How long does it take for you to come give a bid?”
I try and see new jobs within 24 hours of the first call. Then I usually get the bid to you that evening.
“Will there be ’surprise’ cost overruns at any point in the project?”
Never. The quote I give you will be for the complete job, start to finish, including all materials. The bid will be detailed and in writing, and when we agree to proceed we both sign a contract that agrees to the bid. The bid will never change unless you decide to change the scope of the project and we officially alter the contract, in writing. For example, if during the painting process you decide to have an additional room painted, or have your shed painted, this would change the scope of the project and we would add and sign an amendment to the contract.
“Why do bids vary so much in price? And how do I know what to look (or look out) for?”
The main reasons bids differ in price are the quality of the materials and the quality of workmanship put into the prep and paint process. A quality contractor will clearly specify and be very open about what materials they are using, what sort of prep they will be performing, how many coats of paint will go on, etc. Always pay very careful attention to the details regarding the materials, prep, and painting process, especially if the price seems low. Low bidders cut costs by skimping on materials and cutting corners in prep and application, and they try to slip it past you by not being specific.
“Can you help with basic repairs that aren’t typically done by painters but that need to be done before’ we paint, such as drywall repair, filling of nail holes, and light carpentry?”
Absolutely. I try and do whatever I can for my clients as long as it isn’t beyond my skills and the scope of my contractor’s license. If you have something like that in mind, just ask. As long as its not too extensive, I can probably make it happen.
“What does the typical project timeline look like?”
Most single family residential projects are completed within two weeks of the start of the work. I take on one project at a time, so when I start your project it’s the only thing I work on, until its finished. Please see “Exterior Painting Process” and “Interior Painting Process” for detailed outlines of procedures and timelines.
“What kind of warranty do you offer?”
I give a 3-year general warranty on workmanship and materials. I also give you basic touch ups for the life of the job: if you find anything at all in the future, such as water drip stains or the odd scuff, all you have to do is call and I’ll come touch it up for free, for the life of the job.
“Do you have references?”
Yes, you can call many of my previous clients. You can also drive by and take a look at a lot of the finished jobs, or come by and see a project in process.
For more information, give us a call or send us an email at the Free Estimates page.