Brush up on choosing a painter

Be specific about colors (you can obtain samples of many manufacturers' paints at hardware and home improvement stores) and ask for professional opinions.

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• Get a painter's estimate in writing
  
  Obtain an estimate based on the painter's survey of your home. The contractor should visit your home and you should walk him or her through every aspect of the job.
  
  This is a good time to be specific about colors (you can obtain samples of many manufacturers' paints at hardware and home improvement stores) and to ask for professional opinions.
  
  
• Research the painter's references
  
  Once you've found a few prospective painters on Kudzu.com, make sure each is licensed and insured. You also will want to check references. In your research, don't trust photos. Most are taken from too far away to reveal brush strokes or squiggly lines.
  
  Ask for contacts on projects similar to yours. Look at projects that are at least three years old. You'll want to find out whether the materials and colors the contractor used have held over time and weathered the elements gracefully.
  
  
• Be specific about expectations in the painter's contract
  
  Specify the work that will be done, the estimated completion time, and the total cost and payment schedule. Also, include the paint manufacturer's name, color, grade, gloss, base, where the paints will be used, and how many coats will be applied.
  
  Also, be sure the contract specifies that a primer will be applied. The contract should state that the painter will clean up after the job is complete and remove excess paint from floors, ceilings and windows.
  
  All contracts should be written in specific language. Beware of a contractor who uses phrases such as "surfaces prepared," for example. The contract should instead spell out how the surfaces will be prepared — for example: a power wash, bleach solution, disk sanding and caulk in any gaps.
  
  
• Damage control
  
  Painting can make a big mess, which is why the contractor should agree to return the area to its original state. The company should specify in its contract that it uses drop cloths and that it protects landscaping.
  
  
• Paying you painting contractor
  
  Experts recommend paying for the job in thirds. Your contractor should receive a deposit of less than 10 percent when you first sign the contract, a third of the remainder in the middle of the project, and the remaining balance when the job is complete and all materials have been cleared.
  
  One last tip: if you live in a neighborhood with a homeowner's association, be sure to check with them to ensure that they approve the color. You wouldn't want to have to pay to have your home repainted.

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