Sharper Impressions was contracted to paint the interior of Debbie B.’s home many years ago.  She was happy with the work and our service.  Years later, she decided to paint the exterior as well. She chose to hire an individual painter who would perform the work slightly cheaper than the other bids she had received from local, established painting firms.

She paid an $1100 deposit, and then the contractor completely disappeared.  His cell phone number was disconnected, his email address wasn’t valid and there was no way of contacting him.   She was out a lot of money with no other options, and an unpainted home.

Unfortunately, Debbie B learned the hard way; for that exact reason homeowners should only hire a professional painting company. No painting customer should have to pay a deposit, ever. Good painting companies offer a guarantee with their work. Established paint contractors also offer extended warranties and continued support for years after the project is complete. Knowing the company has been around for awhile, in Sharper’s case 20 years, allows the customer to have peace of mind that their painting contractor is not going to disappear.

Whether your project goes good or bad, Sharper Impressions Painting will be available to fix any issues or continue to help you finish a your new paint project.

Too many homeowners fall victim to a fly by night painter. You should never have to take a risk like paying a deposit.  The benefits of going with a professional company far outweigh the risks of hiring someone not established.

For more information and a complete list of painting services; visit www.SharperImpressionsPainting.com or call 877.665.5566.

Four-Legged Friends

There are a few things to consider for hamsters, guinea pigs, cats, dogs and other furry friends when Sharper Impressions is working in your home. Give them a vacation. Take them to a friend’s house or their favorite kennel for a day or two three. Since animals’ noses are much more sensitive than human noses, the paint fumes may bother them. Their bodies are smaller and they may feel the stronger effects from the fresh paint as it dries. We do use low-VOC paints, but that is not enough for our small furry friends.

Fish and Reptiles

Pets in tanks, such as fish and reptiles, should be moved to another portion of the house in a well-ventilated area and have the tank covered with breathable fabric for extra precaution. When Sharper Impressions is  painting the entire house, consider giving your pets in tanks a vacation, too.

If you are unsure, ask your local veterinary professional for advice on your particular pet.

When preparing your home interior for Sharper Impressions Painting, there are a few things that you can do before we arrive to make things go more smoothly for us so that we can do a better job for you.

Remove any books, papers, wall hangings and furniture from the room or rooms to be painted. If possible, furniture that cannot be removed from the room should be moved to its center before Sharper Impressions painters arrive.

Make plans for children to be in another part of the house under a parent’s watchful eye, at school or at daycare while Sharper Impressions Painting contractors are in the house. Although we do like kids, children tend to be curious and want to explore wet paint and visit with house guests busy at work. While we’re prepping and painting, it is best for them to be in a place where our Sharper Impressions painters are not.

Sharper Impressions looks forward to making your home interior painting project a positive experience and something you will be satisfied with for years to come.

1. A GREAT Paint Contractor NEVER Asks for a Deposit

Well-established, successful painting professionals have sufficient operating income and can easily afford to purchase materials and make payroll. BE WARY of a contractor who asks for a deposit! Every year, too many homeowners fall victim to contractors who walk off the job – and out of town – with the deposit in their pockets.

If you agree to advance payment of any kind, be sure materials have been purchased and are on your property, leaving you some kind of leverage should the contractor default on the contract. Bottom Line: GREAT painting contractors NEVER request a deposit.

2. A GREAT Paint Contractor Presents Proof of Insurance

A great painting contractor will present you with a copy of his insurance policy, proving both the amount of coverage he carries for property damage and bodily injury. By nature, paint materials and the painting process can cause damages to unpainted home surfaces, like your roof, so should something happen, you need to know your contractor is insured and you and your home are protected.

3. A GREAT Paint Contractor Offers Clear and Written Warranties

There are two types of warranties. Labor and material warranties. Labor is usually the most costly to provide.

A well respected and established painting contractor will offer a warranty on labor performed. Don’t be fooled by new companies offering warranties that are longer than they have been in business. The truth is, more than half of painting contractors fail and simply go away within five years. Also, some local competitors have misleading warranty policies that have so called pro-rated warranties.  This makes you the customer, buy the replacement paint and material, or even have you pay for the labor in the later years of the warranty period.

Material warranties are usually offered by paint vendors to reputable painting contractors that have been buying their products and have a history of providing good quality work. These paint vendors will warranty their product if they know that painting contractor has a history of applying their products properly.

4. GREAT Paint Contractors Go the Extra Mile

Professional paint contractors will often provide extra services to perfect the final paint job for you. Check to see if your contractor offers the following:

• Professional color consulting
• FREE new or color match paint color cans to try on your walls to make sure you like the color before your painter arrives to start your project
• Detailed and local past customer references
• FREE power washing and extensive preparation work
• Two coats of paint – as a standard offering!

5. GREAT Paint Contractors Give Professional, Detailed Quotes

A GREAT painting quote includes a written and detailed list of ALL aspects of work to be done:

• Power and pressure washing
• Caulking, scraping and priming
• Wood repair or replacement – GREAT contractors will know what needs to be done
• Details of products and application – GREAT contractors know the right products for every job
• Touch-ups and clean-up

In addition to the quote’s content and accuracy, is it presented professionally?

• Is the quote printed on company letterhead with all contact information?
• Does he use a local land line phone number? (beware if only a cell phone number is listed)
• Clear, concise and accurate final, turnkey price quote (NOT an estimate…estimates can go up and cost you more..you should only pay more if the contract changes)
• Work guarantee and product warranties?

Inexperienced contractors, using standard business forms purchased at office supply or hardware stores suggests they haven’t invested much in their business and may not be your best painter.

6. GREAT Paint Contractors Have an A ranking with the Better Business Bureau

The The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a trusted consumer rating body that grades businesses based on collective criteria. In addition to finding their grade, be sure to check how long the paint contractor has been a member. Also confirm that any complaints have been resolved. BBB will still afford a good rating if a business has addressed issues in a timely manner.  Problems arise in contracting, you just want a painter that resolves those issues.

7. GREAT Paint Contractors Provide References in Your Area – Both Old and New

Paint Contractors should provide multiple references from both recent and past work. References from a year ago or longer show the paint job’s durability and confirm that any necessary follow-up or billing issues were handled correctly.

8. GREAT Paint Contractors Have a Professional Website

While it is certainly possible to be a good paint contactor and not own a Website, GREAT contractors are also successful business people who understand that today’s consumer is looking for instant information so they can make a thorough decision. A GREAT contractor’s Website will include all the details homeowners are looking for – references, before & after photos, details of services, contact information and history of the company and its owner and staff.

We hope this information helps you find a GREAT painting contractor!

Happy Painting!

Sincerely,

Your dedicated Sharper Impressions Painting Staff!

“making paint stick since 1992”

These are all signs that it could be time to paint and avoid future costly wood and siding repairs.

Chipping and Peeling

There are two signs you need to spruce up your exterior paint; obvious mass coating failures, or small amounts of chipping and peeling, about the size of a dime, which expose the wood underneath. These are both signs your top coat of paint isn’t protecting the wood from rain, wind and sun. Paint protects your wood the same way that skin protects your body.

There are several other ways to tell if your home needs to be painted and renewed; the color is fading and is noticeably lighter, there are water streak lines, the white colors are turning grey, and/or deep colors are losing their base and depth. Also, if you find chalking on the surface of the paint, it may mean you need to get your home power washed and painted.

To test for chalking, touch the paint surface with your finger; if it leaves a chalky paint residue on your hands this is a sign the paint is breaking down.  It is time to repaint; new paint will never leave any film on your hand.

Paint Chipping

Paint Peeling

Chalking of Paint

Mildew

Contrary to popular belief, mildew does grow in cold weather. It lays dormant throughout the winter and springs to life with the moisture and warmth of the spring season. Mildew will look like little spores and/or dark spots on the paint. Mildew is a sign that your slick, glossy paint surface needs refreshed; it allows spores to grow in the nooks and crannies of the paint surface.

Often, honest and established painters will let you know if a simple and cost efficient power washing is enough maintenance for that particular year. Mildew can easily be removed with a professional pressure wash, although sometimes it will require a new coat of paint to keep your home protected.

Caulking

Caulking failure can be extremely dangerous for your home. The caulk can pop-out or split open leaving you with these potential problems:

1.       Lose of energy efficiency from the inside of your home to the outside.

2.       Weather, like rain and wind can enter your home where caulk has failed.

3.       Insects and critters can enter where caulking failure occurred.

4.       Moisture can get behind the wood and paint, which leads to peeling of paint, rotting of wood and mildew growth on the surface and inside  the home.

Caulking is also important cosmetically; if it is done properly, it will look seamless with your paint color.  It will make the exterior of your home tight and secure. The look will be more complete and your home will instantly benefit from a solid and thorough caulking application.

Other Problem Areas

During the winter months, snow and ice settle into your home’s gutters; this means moisture often gets behind the fascia and paint. A few ways to tell if your gutters need a new paint job are: water stains, peeling and blistering of the paint, and bowing of the wood. If you notice these warning signs, it is best to have someone come out and fix problem areas very quickly.

The snow, ice and cold weather can also be a detriment to the staining on decks, fences and trellises. Seeing exposed wood means its time to protect the wood for spring; you may see heavy wood graining or see fibers in the wood, but they both require the same maintenance.  Bottom line, if water does not bead up on your deck surfaces, that water and sun UV rays are probably penetrating and harming the surface below.

Walkway surfaces and aggregate stone also need some help after the long, cold winter. One way to tell if your walkway or aggregate stone needs attention is when the spring rain hits; if the rain water doesn’t bead up, it means the water can penetrate the surface and cause decay and unforeseen underlying problems. The cure to this is to get the surfaces power washed and coated so that the next time it rains, the water will bead up preventing saturation of the surface of your walkways.

Final Recommendations

The tips outlined above are a good guideline to use when determining what type of work your home may need after a harsh winter.

-A new paint job with fresh colors that protects for years to come.

-A cleaning and staining of a deck to get it ready for months of grilling outside with friends.

-Or simply getting your home power washed to eliminate mildew, each improvement you make will help your home stay beautiful… longer.

A good painting contractor, like Sharper Impressions Painting, will provide an honest and detailed quote for what painting and preparation your home may or may not need.  Quotes should be free and you should always meet your contractor to walk around your home, this ensures that you and the contractor can point out and explain issues and solutions for your Spring painting project.

Enjoy the sun…we missed you this winter!

REFERENCES, REFERENCES, REFERENCES! Ask for both old and new references to ensure the current quality of work and confirm that the painter has jobs that have lasted a long time.

It is critical to make sure the contractor has:

• Liability insurance,
• a BBB membership (Better Business Bureau)
• a material and labor warranty provided in writing, and
• have been in business for several years

Before the painters start painting, be sure to confirm:

• whether they are going to apply 2 coats or 1,
• what brand and level of paint will they apply (you can buy good paint brands that have cheap paints or top quality paints, you get what you pay for in paint, so make sure your painter buys a top level product)
• your home should be power washed (pressure washed) prior to painting,
• preparation work should be detailed on your quote/contract,
• exact price of the work should be clear and discuss any additional charges that may be added to a paint job like yours

How often should exterior paint be refreshed?

There are different general guidelines for renewing exterior paint

• Decks 1-2 years
• Fences 1-4 years
• Trim on homes 5-10 years
• Wood siding on home 5-10 years
• Stucco 10+ years
• Hardie plank or aluminum siding 10+ years

Why was it important for you to run a “green” company?

We are only renting this big blue planet and it is imperative we leave it as clean as we can for the next generation. Often, damages to the environment can be permanent; fortunately, painting your home does not have to cause any damage to you or the environment. Latex paints, (hardly any oil based paints are used anymore) are waterborne and the norm now for the residential repainting industry. Low VOC paints, which dry without harmful emissions, protect the home, the occupants and the air.

In the past year, my company has erased our server carbon footprint, gone nearly paperless in our office, operated temperature control units that turn off heating and cooling during down office times, installed energy efficient insulation and new skylights to reduce the amount of energy used for lighting and heating the office and warehouse.  Hopefully your painting contractor is doing his best to protect our environment also.

Why is prep work (preparation) so important?

90% of any good paint job is prep work; it makes the final paint job look good and last a long time

• Power-washing – to ensure the surface is clean and the paint will stick. Click Here for more information.
• Tape and tarp – to protect surfaces and create nice clean cut lines
• Caulking – seals gaps and joints from weathering, bugs and makes the surface look solid and universal
• Scrape – removes old paint so it doesn’t cause the new paint to flake/peel/blister
• Prime – protects and seals the exposed wood grains, then has a nice smooth surface for the top coat to stick
• Paint – always 2 coats, any color, will last twice as long, looks thick and rich

What are common reasons your interior needs repainted?

The most popular reason for painting an interior is to update/change the color of the walls.

Another reason is for upkeep. Some common reasons to freshen up are:

• dents, scuffs, dirt, dust, animal hair, moisture stains, and faded walls from sunlight

The third biggest reason to repaint is to upgrade the quality of paint. When you repaint the walls with a top quality, deep, rich paint, the colors are deeper and the final result will look beautiful for a long time.

Ceilings usually last twice as long as the walls.  So often customers paint the ceilings every other time they get their walls painted.

• Over time they yellow out from sunlight, and smoke/moisture/oils.
• When you properly paint a ceiling, it can add an amazing amount of brightness to any room

Often a room’s trim, windows and doors will need painted as well. There are generally two reasons people choose to repaint these areas:

• To freshen up the area that gets a lot of abuse from foot traffic, vacuum cleaners and everyday wear and tear.
• To change an old, dated and dark wood trim color to an updated, fresh, bright glossy paint

This is an imperative first step when preparing to paint or stain any part of a home. If a proper cleaning is not completed prior to painting, the new paint won’t stick to the surface and the new paint usually will peel off in big chunks and/or small flakes.

Power Washing Overview

Power washing cleans and prepares surfaces that will be painted by removing dirt, mold, mildew, pollutants, pollen and dust. Power washing also removes most chalking that may have taken place. Chalking is the naturally occurring breakdown of the paints skin surface from sunlight ultraviolet rays.

Using the right pressure washing machine will ensure the perfect preparation for exterior painting projects. The right amount of pressure will clean any surface, including wood, without causing damage. Also, using the proper nozzle will keep the appropriate angle and fan trajectory of water for each different surface. Experienced painting and power washing contractors will be able to prevent wand marks (or etching of the surface), which can be caused by too much pressure applied at the wrong angle.

Power Washing the Exterior

Often, a homes exterior will have dirt, mold, mildew, pollutants, pollen and dust; these all need to be removed prior to applying 2 coats of quality paint.

Cobwebs will be naturally present in the corners of many homes; most cobwebs and wasp nests will be washed away during the power wash, but some may stick and it is the job of a good painter to remove them by hand before later applying paint.

Paint chips will literally fly off the home while being power washed; however, a power wash will not remove all chips or peeling. Using too much pressure or applying pressure too close to the surface may result in unnecessary damage. The removed paint chips on the ground can be removed by hand once dry, by the painter. Also, a good painter will walk around your property to clean up any paint chips that may have landed around the homes yard, roof, landscaping and mulch beds during the power wash.

Stains are a tricky thing to try and power wash away. Simply put, power washing will not remove all stains around the home. Some stains are actually discolorations from years of weathering and will still be around even after a good power wash. After the proper preparation and two coats of fresh paint, the house will look great and fresh with any lingering stains covered and forgotten.

Power Washing Decks and Fences

Decks and fences are often prime candidates for power washing; and both stand to benefit from the cleaning. Decks can be power washed with bleach or deck brightener to penetrate the wood fibers. This will wash away old stain and brighten up grey wood fibers caused by foot traffic, sun and sitting rain water. Fences often have mildew on the surface that is caused by being a soft wood, and being so close to the ground and vegetation. Power washing will help remove these types of mildews and rejuvenate the look of any wood.

Chemicals

Some of the most common and best chemicals to use while washing the exterior of a home is water, bleach and tri-sodium phosphate. Other specialty chemicals do exist, but for the average project preparation, this will get the job done right. Many of the chemicals are organic which prevents harm to plants, lawns, flowers, and landscaping. The bleach is so heavily diluted with water; that the power wash should be like a spring rain storm to the shrubs and landscaping.

Dry Time

The time it takes for a home to dry after a power wash varies greatly on the humidity, rain and temperature. Usually, most homes can be painted within one day after power washing; although, the person who quotes the painting project, should walk the homeowner through a time table for the project.

Power Washing without Painting

For relatively low cost, a home’s exterior can be power washed to easily remove dirt and mildew. This cleaning will actually extend the life of an exterior paint job. Often, customers think their home needs a new coat of paint, when a simple power wash will give them the same desired result and add life to the current paint job. An honest and experienced painting contractor will inform the homeowner of this mistake instead of having them spend money on unnecessary work.

Price

Power washing should always be included with a turnkey painting price quote. Any painter who does not instinctively want to power wash a home prior to painting, is not taking the necessary steps to ensure the paint sticks and lasts a long time.

Final Thought

Receiving the proper preparation and power wash (pressure wash) prior to an exterior paint job is essential to the life of the paint job. The information outlined above is a great reference to maintaining the look of the exterior. The process should be simple with the choice of an informed, professional, residential paint contractor.

For more information, feel free to visit our power washing page: http://www.sharperimpressionspainting.com/power-washing.html

Chipping and Peeling

There are two signs you need to spruce up your exterior paint; there are obvious mass coating failures, or there are small amounts of chipping and peeling, about the size of a dime, which expose the wood underneath. These are both signs your top coat isn’t protecting the wood from weathering. Paint is the same at protecting your wood as the way your skin protects your body.

There are several other ways to tell if your home needs to be painted and renewed; the color is fading and is noticeably lighter, there are water streak lines, the white colors are turning grey, and/or deep colors are losing their base and depth. Also, if you find chalking on the surface of the paint, it may mean you need to get your home power washed and painted. To test for chalking, touch the paint surface with your finger; if it leaves paint residue on your hands this is a sign the paint is breaking down and ready to be recoated.

The mixture of wet snow and ice, coupled with dry winter air can leave paint needing a new coat and some troubled mildew spots heading into the spring season.

Mildew

Contrary to popular belief, mildew does grow in cold weather. It lays dormant throughout the winter and springs to life with the moisture of the spring season. Mildew will look like little spores and/or dark spots on the paint. Mildew is a sign that your slick, glossy paint surface needs refreshed; it allows spores to grow in the nooks and crannies of the paint surface.

Often, honest and reliable painters will let you know if a simple and very cost efficient power washing is enough for your paint upkeep for that particular year. Mildew can easily be removed with a professional pressure wash, although sometimes it will require a new coat of paint to keep your home protected.

Caulking

Caulking failure can also be extremely dangerous for your home. The caulk can pop-out or split open leaving you with three potential problems:

1. Lose of energy efficiency.
2. Weather and insects can enter where failure occurred.
3. Moisture can get behind the wood and paint, which leads to peeling of paint, rotting of wood and mildew growth on the surface and inside the home.

Caulking is also important cosmetically; if it is done properly, it will look seamless with your paint and will be tight and secure. The look will be more complete and your home will instantly benefit from a solid and intricate caulking application.

Other Problem Areas

During the winter months, snow and ice settle into your home’s gutters; this means moisture got behind the fascia and paint. A few ways to tell if your gutters need a new paint job are: water stains, peeling and blistering of the paint, and bowing of the wood. If you notice these warning signs, it is best to have someone come out and fix problem areas.

The snow, ice and cold weather can also be a detriment to the staining on decks, fences and trellises. Seeing exposed wood means its time to protect the wood for spring; you may see heavy wood graining or see fibers in the wood, but they both require the same maintenance.

Walkway surfaces and aggregate stone also need some help after the long, cold winter. One way to tell if your walkway or aggregate stone needs attention is when the spring rain hits; if the rain water doesn’t bead up, it means the water can penetrate the surface and cause decay and unforeseen underlying problems. The cure to this is to get the surfaces power washed and coated so that the next time it rains, the water will bead up preventing saturation of the surface of your walkways.

Final Recommendations

The tips outlined above are a good guideline to use when determining what type of work your home may need after a harsh winter. Whether it is a new paint job or getting your home power washed to eliminate mildew, each improvement you make will help your home stay beautiful longer.  A good painting contractor will provide an honest and detailed quote for what painting and preparation your home may or may not need.  Quotes should be free and you should always meet your contractor to walk around your home, so that the contractor can point out and explain issues and solutions.

• Keeping heat IN and cold air OUT is a challenge for every homeowner. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, small gaps in joints around windows, doors, and trim are one of the biggest sources of heat loss. Great paint contractors include extensive caulking in their preparation process – sealing cracks, gaps and joints. Professional caulking prevents wood rot and keeps drafts – and heat-seeking critters – OUT of your home. A professional paint job with solid prep work prevents heat loss and saves you money.
• Because most paint contractors are busiest in the Spring and Summer months, you’re more likely to get a price discount on exterior painting during the Fall. Also, due to a lighter schedule, many contractors are able to provide better customer service and a little extra attention to your job during the Fall.
• In some cases, that extra attention translates into even more cost-savings. Since the ladders are already out, good painters will offer to clean gutters, wash windows, or perform wood replacement or repairs for a small additional fee. All of these are usually a huge savings over hiring another company to take a trip out and do the work. Cross another few items off your Fall “To-Do” list!

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