painting contractor | University Painters

Regular Post

Written by Colleen Kalil

6 December 2018

21st Century Eco-Friendly Exterior Paint Practices

In today’s world it is essential to be ecologically aware and proactive in all business-related actions. Exterior paint companies are no different. This is especially true with tools and supplies that may lend themselves to environmentally friendly applications and outcomes. If you are in the market for an exterior home or commercial painting job, ask your painting contractor whether or not they follow any of these environmental practices.

Use ‘lead-safe’ practices. The EPA has prepared an extensive list of rules and regulations for the paint and renovation industry to follow for the safest removal and disposal of ‘lead-paint’ materials. Click this link for more information Steps to Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting. While the intent of this entry is not to provide an extensive reiteration of the document it bears noting there are guidelines for setting up, cleaning, and proper dumping of all paint refuse.
Recycle all paint related products whenever possible. This includes the paint cans and solvents, worn brushes and other paint tools. The commercial and residential paint company should have the name, number and address of the recycling organization in the area that accepts these specific types of materials, as well as what is necessary to prepare them for recycling in advance. For example, must the paint cans be cleaned out? Should the brushes be free of paint residue…and more.
Ask prospective commercial and residential paint companies that you are considering for your job what their perspective is on quality tools. While some paint businesses find it better or more convenient to go with the most inexpensive tools on the market and replace them regularly, there is an argument for purchasing the most well-made brushes and related items that can be reused for longer periods of time.
Does the company purchase low or zero-VOC paints (volatile organic compounds)? Painters that are knowledgeable regarding this subject are likely more eco-friendly in their business practices as a whole.

If you are looking for professional commercial and residential painting services contact University Painters, Inc. They are environmentally responsible and offer outstanding work.

Design, Maintenance, Paint Colors

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Regular Post

Written by Colleen Kalil

11 September 2018

Hiring The Right Commercial Painting Contractor

House Painting Window Keeping your home in good repair, protects your largest investment. It’s crucial to find the best contractors to get the most for your money. Many people have learned from sad experiences that not all contractors are the same. Do your homework and save yourself, time, money, and headaches.

Ask For Recommendations

Check with family and friends to find out what painting contractors they’ve used and who has done a good job. Look for recommendations on services such as Angie’s List or Home Advisor.

Whether or not the company has a Better Business Bureau logo on their site, checking the BBB site may yield additional information. If they have ever been listed, you can see if any complaints have been reported. If they do have the BBB logo on their site, you can verify their status.

Estimates

It’s crucial to get at least three quotes from different contractors. This will give you an idea of the average market prices so you can be sure you’re getting the best offer. Be sure you ask each contractor for the same information: a breakdown of supplies, labor, and any other expenses. Compare each item to check the cost of materials and how much the contractor charges for labor. If there’s a significant difference in any of the quotes, ask why.

Licensing

Even if a contractor advertises they’re fully-licensed, you should confirm they are licensed according to state licensing and that means both the company and the individual who will do your work. Your state has a Contractor State Licensing board where you can find the information. Don’t skip this step. You should also find out if the company is bonded or insured in case they break something or cause any damage.

Scheduling and Budget

One area that commonly causes contention between contractors and clients is differing expectations about when the work will be completed. Be sure to indicate any times when workers cannot be in your home.

When you review the budget, be sure the contractor know you want to be notified before any work is done that will increase the amount of money you initially agreed to.

University Painters are trustworthy, qualified professionals committed to providing quality work. Contact us today for a free estimate.

Regular Post

Written by Colleen Kalil

3 July 2018

Commercial Painting Considerations

COMMERCIAL PAINTING, PAINTERS Commercial painting and residential painting are very different projects. There are special considerations inherent in commercial jobs, especially when stationery equipment is involved. Communication with your painting contractor will help the work move quickly and maintain safety for everyone. Plan to have the facilities manager or other employee overseeing the project meet regularly with the painters. Make sure the entire crew knows what type of work your business performs, if you use special machinery and if there are possible hazards such as flammable materials.

Commercial businesses typically have safety procedures in place, and it’s helpful to provide that information to the contractor before the work begins. It’s best to plan to paint when the fewest people are in the building. That may mean painters, and possibly employees, work at unusual times, but the work will go faster, and there’s less likelihood of injury or other interruptions. Professional painters can adapt to the schedule of the business and will plan to have its crew report accordingly. It’s ideal to have the space free of machinery, but that isn’t always possible.

As the business owner or manager, take a few minutes to inform your employees what will be happening, when painters will be on-site, and what accommodations they should plan to make. Avoid surprising your employees with things like limited or no access to parts of the building, fumes or dust that may affect asthma or other breathing conditions, and a longer than expected project schedule.

When you’re hiring commercial painters, ask how much commercial experience the company has. There is a big difference between residential painting and commercial painting, and you want an experienced company with a good track record. Ask how many years the company has been in business and what percentage of their business is commercial.

Make sure the company has insurance. This is basic with any contractor you hire to work on-site. If a vendor you contact doesn’t have liability insurance, keep looking. Licensing is another consideration. They should have up-to-date licensing for your area.

University Painters are experienced, licensed, and qualified to take on commercial painting projects of all sizes. We know our business and will help you get back to your business promptly. Contact us today for a free estimate.

Maintenance, Paint Colors

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Regular Post

Written by Colleen Kalil

26 February 2018

Tips For Perfect Exterior Paint Jobs

The first thing that guests notice when they arrive at your house is the appearance of your home. They may notice if the structure is leaning or if the yard is unkempt. One thing that most people will notice, however, is the paint job. They can easily see the color of your house and notice if the paint has chipped. People can also tell whether or not the paint job was handled by a professional. These are some of the reasons why homeowners should take the exterior paint job on their home seriously. Here are some tips that can guarantee perfect exterior paint jobs:

Clean And Prepare The Surface

Paint will not adhere well to dirty surfaces so all walls and surfaces must be cleaned before coating them with paint. To ensure that the new paint job will last long, give your house a good power wash prior to the arrival of the painting contractor.

Choose A Neutral Color

Most professional exterior painters recommend that you choose neutral colors for your home. Neutral colors are easy on the eyes and if you’re planning to put your house up for sale or rent it out, a neutral color makes it less likely that buyers and renters will complain about your color choice.

Don’t Forget To Paint The Trims And Doors

Do not forget to include the trims and doors in your home’s paint makeover. If you are hiring a professional painter, ask if painting the trims and doors is included in their painting service.

Hire A Professional Painter

You can paint your exterior yourself but hiring a professional painter gives you a hassle-free guarantee that your home will look its best once the job is done. Professionals know the best colors to use and already have the tools required for the job.

Be selective when it comes to hiring a painting contractor. Remember that you always get what you pay for. Hiring the cheapest painting contractor in town may initially save you money, but a bad painting job can end up costing more in the long run when hiring another contractor to fix the job.

Do a background check of the painting companies you consider for the job. The best way to do this is to ask for feedback from friends and family members who have hired them in the past. You can also ask the company for references you can contact.

University Painters has been providing professional painting services for more than three decades. Our experience and reputation in the industry can guarantee the quality of services we provide. Contact us now to get a free estimate.

Creative, Design, Maintenance, Paint Colors

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Regular Post

Written by Colleen Kalil

15 January 2018

Should You Paint Your Home’s Interior During Winter?

People often associate painting as a task ideally done in warm weather. You may have to wait for warmer temperatures if you are doing an exterior painting job. Things are different however if you are doing an interior painting job. Winter is actually an ideal time to get it done. Here’s why winter is the best time for an interior painting job:

You Get Great Deals

Painting contractors tend to be busier during summer but winter is traditionally a lean time in this industry. As a result, you can get better deals for an interior painting job at this time than in the overbooked summer when people want to have their exterior painting work done.

Painting Gets Done Faster

Exterior painting jobs, regardless of the season, begin when the sun comes up and end when the sun goes down. It is not a good idea to keep painting at night for quality and safety reasons. For interior painting jobs, however, it is still possible for the painter to do his job even when the sun goes down because he is indoors. The sun won’t matter for painting jobs done inside the home, giving the painter more flexibility to finish the job faster.

Winter Air Is Great For Curing Paint

Summer may be ideal for painting projects but there are parts about it that painting contractors do not enjoy. One of these is the humid summer air. The more humid it is outside, the longer it takes for the paint to dry, which means more time is added to the tasks, making interior painting job more expensive.

Painting During Winter Gives You More Time And Allowance For Summer Projects

You will have more time and money this summer to focus on other projects that are ideally done in the warm weather if you get your interior painting project out of the way. Instead of doing interior painting this summer, you may want to work on the facade of your house instead.

Make the most of the opportunity to paint your home’s interior this winter. Breathe new life and make your indoor walls more colorful this season. Make sure that you entrust this job to a reliable contractor with years of experience in the industry. Feel free to contact us at University Painters for the interior painting job you want done this winter.