Helpful Information on Common Painting Topics -

• How To Choose A Painting Contractor
  

• Preparing Your Home For Sale In Today's Market

• Thoughts on Color

How To Choose A Painter - Tips On Finding A Qualified Naperville Painting Contractor

July 10, 2008 at 9:16 am

Here's a brief “what to consider when hiring a painter” reference paper.  Regardless of your location this paper can serve as a checklist.

First things first – create a document listing exactly what you want done. Describe the job in detail, including specific products if any or colors you want (or the general look you want), a desired time frame, and any possible obstacles (drywall repairs, etc.).  Also list questions you have and be sure to ask each painter those same questions so you'll be better able to gauge experience and knowledge.  Giving each contractor the same information and asking them the same questions will help you compare “apples to apples.” If you have the ability to email pictures or a floor plan so much the better.

Next – create a list of potential painters. Sources may include referrals from friends, reviews on Yelp! (free), reviews on Angie's List (you have to join, but it's the most reliable source), or your preferred research tool on the internet. Three or four candidates should be enough for you to make an informed decision without tying up too much time.  Call or email to arrange an estimate.

Initial rsponsiveness is an important gauge of how someone operates. When speaking with each contractor you may be surprised what you hear or what you don't hear.  It's always a good sign when the contractor takes the time to understand and explain details.  A "here's your quote" approach is not a good sign.  On any job of one week or less beware any request for a down payment or milestone payments as it could be cause for concern.

Each step in the process is important as you begin to form your opinions. The ideal contractor should be neat, on-time, businesslike and courteous, and prepared to answer questions and offer suggestions. Don’t hesitate to ask! After interviewing potential contractors you're ready to review the proposals. These proposals should include:

• Surface preparation (description of amount & techniques)
• Priming (a must for bare or patched surfaces, major color changes, or stained surfaces)
• Caulking (where will it be used)
• The brand and quantity of paint recommended (manufacturer’s name AND specific product line and sheen)
• Number of coats to be applied
• Firm costs (what is/what is not included)
• Start date and time to completion
• References on similar projects - including contact info - the more the better
  

Review the proposals and ask additional questions. If, for example, one painting contractor’s fee is substantially higher or lower than his competitors’, ask why. Neither are necessarily a bad thing. A higher fee might indicate that he takes more time and care. Or he may just charge a lot. A lower price might indicate that he uses lower caliber painters, less-expensive tools, supplies and/or labor.  Or it may be a better deal. 

Ask for a couple of days after completion before payment becomes due. This gives you a chance to carefully inspect the job and insures that any touch ups are identified and completed.  You shouldn't be made to feel rushed when inspecting the work.  You can't truly know how well an area was painted until it dries and you see it in various lightling.

I hope this helps. For more information visit http://www.yourpainters.com



Preparing Your Home For Sale?

Tips On Upgrading Your Home's Appeal - PAINTING SELLS HOMES

June 8, 2012 at 8:01 am

In today's market attention to detail is vitally important; it's the small touches that really make all the difference. If you're thinking of selling your home these details become even more critical.  Buyers expect homes to be in move-in condition.  Realtors are unanimous in advising "neutral colors sell".  It sounds simple enough, but there are a few things worth considering.  All neutrals are not equal.

Remember that your criteria needs to shift from your personal taste to what will help present your home with the broadest appeal.  This means that for walls white is too stark and vivid colors are too taste specific.  Even among neutral colors there should be some cohesion and flow to your home to allow buyers to feel comfortable and at home.  You'll want to avoid a patchwork approach which makes each room a completely different color.  Think subtle shifts, clean and calm.

When listing your home for sale you'll inevitably find many realtors recommending a light tan, otherwise known in our area as "Naperville neutral". While bold colors are often considered far too "taste specific" by many potential buyers that doesn't mean that tan is always the solution. People want the shortest possible "to do" list, meaning that a neutral color palette must match the tastes of a likely buyer.

Always keep in mind the likely demographic of a buyer in your neighborhood for your style of home. If you have a 4 bedroom home and expect a young family to move in then you may want to consider the trend among younger people toward light grey and taupe.  If you are planning to list a condo (appealing to empty nesters) you may find that beige and tan better suit your target market.

Painting existing cabinets has become quite popular, but can be tricky if not done properly.  The existing surfaces must be carefully prepared (cleaned and sanded), at least one coat of primer applied, followed by meticulous painting (2 coats).  Ultimately the results must pass the scrutiny of a buyer's cautious eyes.  If having your cabinets professionally painted is part of your plan you can always rely on us - http:www.yourpainters.com

Feeling a little overwhelmed?

Help is available. Try our our webpage on Color Selection.

 Or if you'd like to have a color professional help create a look that's attractive and current you may prefer to use an actual in-home color consultant. Try the pros at - http://www.homecolorconsultation.com.



Thoughts on Color

January 4, 2013 at 5:34 pm

The correct use of color is important, both at home and at work. Color can either attract or repel, energize or calm, and brighten or temper the tone a room sets.  A decision on color is very important and you need to give it ample time and careful thought to ensure that you make a decision you can live with for years.  Although it is more common to choose blinds, curtains or furniture accessories to match an existing wall color, often times people select a color for their wall from a favorite piece of art or rug or accessory, which is already in the room. It makes sense to experiment by painting a small area, such as a powder room or small hall first, to get a feel for the color you would like to use.  Benjamin Moore offers 18" square color samples which can allow you to feel the color and move it around a room to see if it plays well with others.

Consider the mood
It is important to consider the mood of your room. Most homeowners want to create a soothing and restful feeling in their bedroom and bathroom. Cool, soft colors are typically used to create a relaxing atmosphere. Neutral colors are also commonly chosen for these rooms. Having said that, everyone is an individual and the colors of a person`s room are the perfect way to express themselves, so some bedrooms may need to be vibrant and loud. Slightly contrasting, warm colors will create a sociable feeling in a dining room, while darker blue-greens will give the appearance of a slightly formal ambiance. Bright colors in a child`s room may cause your youngsters to become irritable and potentially over-stimulated and are therefore best used cautiously in these areas.

The Importance of Lighting
The type and amount of light that a room receives will determine the color of paint that will best suit the walls. Natural daylight reflects the true color of the paint you choose, while incandescent lighting tends to highlight any yellow and similar warm tones that may be present. If you are using fluorescent lighting, an overall blue tone will be noticed. Therefore, although you may feel that a certain color is absolutely perfect for a specific room, it could turn out to be either overpowering or insipid once on the wall, due to the specific lighting in the area.  Failing to consider the actual lighting in your space leads to what is known as "color remorse".

Proper Coloring; Consider The Flow
Use intense/vivd colors for an active space and remember that light colors invariably create a stark atmosphere when painted onto a large surface area. By choosing two medium-light colors, the homeowner can still achieve the effect they are looking for, but without the overly bright look. Pastel colors will give a beautiful luminous ambiance in rooms that require a light color.

You can usually see the room adjacent to the one where you are. Think like an architect when choosing your color palette and think about rooms that can be seen from others.  Be aware of how the colors you choose for adjacent rooms will flow into the next and choose the colors for each room accordingly, after considering how it will look when seen from an adjacent room.  Unrelated colors in neighboring rooms will give a patchwork feel to your home and be less pleasing to the eye.

Color Adds Depth
Broken colors will transform a large flat wall. You can easily give the impression of depth by using burnished metal finishes, such as gold, pewter, silver and mica. These softly reflective shades create a lovely visual texture and can help create a unique room. Opposite colors can be very striking when combined. There are literally dozens of wonderful color combinations and by using a color wheel, you can get a real feel for different and exciting color combinations. Accent walls (one wall of a different color, usually darker) help you to introduce a bolder color to a room without allowing the color to overwhelm the space.

Different Sheens Make a Difference
After you have chosen a color, you can get a great look by applying various sheens, such as flat, matte, semi-gloss or satin. The trim is normally painted with a semi-gloss finish, while the large surface area of the wall is painted with a flat or matte finish.  Mixing sheens is also a way to acieve a subtle, but elegant look.  You can use the same color, but with a higher sheen to put very subtle stripes or designs on a wall.

Conclusion
Selecting the correct paint for your room is an important decision leading to the smaller, but impactful accessorizing that completes the look. Your choice of door and window hardware combine with the color scheme to truly transform a room's painting into a new space.  Think carefully before making your choice.  We are here to assist you - http://www.yourpainters.com

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