WHAT IS IN A HOUSE PAINTING CONTRACT?

Your contract with a painting company should cover these details.

What’s in a house painting contract is an important question that comes up as you get deeper into your remodeling venture. Between the time you decide your house needs a new coat of paint and the time the job gets done, a lot transpires. After you’ve decided on an interior painter or exterior painting contractor, you should have them write a formal contract, and this is what it should include:

House painting cost

Labor is the most expensive part of the estimate. A professional painting contractor may charge between $48 and $71 per hour, which will generally come to 85 percent of the total estimate. If someone is charging less than this, you should be wary of the quality of the work. Any more than the high end and you may be taken advantage of.

How long to paint a house?

The time it takes to paint your house or a room is directly tied to the overall labor cost. Make sure it’s clearly outlined, as well as what will happen if the job is completed early. If you want your contractor to be exceptionally thorough, they can even put how long they’ll spend on every part of the painting process. If the amount of time spent seems too high, there may be something amiss. This is why it’s important to consult multiple painting contractors.

Types of house paint

There have been instances of unscrupulous individuals pouring inexpensive paint into expensive paint buckets and overcharging customers. Make sure you have your painting contractor write exactly what type of paint products will be used to complete the job. Also, if you specify a brand, include that and the exact shade. It may seem silly, but making sure all of this is in writing will save you from misunderstandings and unnecessary obstacles to finishing your renovation.

Painting supplies

Expect paint supply costs to run between 15 percent and 25 percent of the total job. If you’re using premium paint, expect to spend between $50 and $100 per gallon. Included in the estimate is the number of gallons that are needed as well as the number of coats that will be applied. Other supplies could include brushes, scaffolding and even power washers, depending on the scope of the paint job. This should be an itemized list that’s easy to understand, with every dollar accounted for.

Paint services

Are you taking care of the preparation while they just handle the paint? Will they sand, pressure wash and prime before they paint? These are very important things to make sure you have delineated in the contract in very clear words. Have them get specifics on just how the surface will be prepared, what will be used and how long it should take.

Painting techniques

Depending on whether you’re having your interior or exterior painted, the way a contractor applies the paint can make a big difference. For instance, primer is best applied with a brush while certain types of texture are best applied with a spray gun. Make sure the painter is skilled in using spray if you choose that method, as over-spray could become an issue and drive up the overall cost by using more paint.

Using drop cloths when painting

Your contract should state that the contractor will use drop cloths or other coverings to keep the paint from spilling and getting all over your precious items. If the painting will be outside, how will they protect your shrubs and lawns? What will they do if paint ends up on your windows, and how do they plan to clean up the site? Stipulate that the contractor returns everything to pre-work conditions.