The 7 Steps to a Beautiful and Durable Exterior:

1. Choosing a Painting Contractor:

• Choose a contractor you feel comfortable with.
• Know how and where to contact your contractor.
• Verify that your contractor is insured; ask for a “Certificate of Insurance” showing both liability (for your property) AND worker’s compensation (for their workers)
• Confirm the references (at least 1)
• Review their professional affiliation, ie: PDCA (Painting and Decorating Contractors of America)
• Check for home improvement or appropriate contractors license.

Beware of:

1. Someone who doesn’t use contracts or is very vague in their scope of work (time may pass from when your project is estimated and when it is actually performed. A written contract helps both the contractor and the customer get what they expect)
2. A painter that competes based on price alone. (If these guys even show up to do the work, you may have far more problems than the cheap price is worth)

2. Power Washing:

• Bio-degradable detergent and bleach are used to remove dirt & mildew as required.
• Delicate areas are hand washed.
• Loose paint chips are cleaned up.
• House is given time to dry.
• Driveways & decks cleaned if contracted.

Beware:

1. Power Washing looks simple, but don’t be fooled. There are very important techniques to a successful cleaning and bleach wash. Amateurs SHOULD NEVER BE USED.
2. Power washing can be very dangerous if not performed properly. High pressure water can go through many surfaces instantaneously. With a 3000 psi pressure washer, you could carve your name in the side of your house within seconds if you weren’t careful. (Highway crews actually use a version of a pressure washer to cut the holes for dynamite blasting when digging for highway construction)

3. Scraping, priming & minor maintenance:

• All loose paint is removed, all bare surfaces are primed. (for protection and adhesion)
• Full house priming is available and recommended in certain circumstances.
• Glossy areas are scuff-sanded. (for proper adhesion)
• Open cracks around doors and windows are caulked. (helps prevent water from entering home/siding, causing premature paint failure)
• Feather-sanding and stripping done if contracted. (for smoother appearance)
• Windowpanes receive new putty where necessary if contracted. (helps prevent water damage and minor drafts)
• Complete cedar siding/ shingle replacement available if contracted (many customers wish to have options to choose from)
• Trim, siding, masonry and stucco repairs are available if contracted

Beware:

1. Don’t try to save money by cutting out preparation. Most professionals will agree that proper prep is the single most important component in the longevity of a paint job. Conversely, improper preparation can result in almost instant coating failure.
2. Hand scraping is not always the best way to prepare a surface. There are many tools on the market that when used properly, will produce a far better surface to accept primer, in much less time.
3. Don’t leave cracked clapboards or vertical trim without repair or replacement. Moisture will penetrate behind the surfaces and result in paint failure.

4. Painting:

• Full finish coats are applied for proper coverage & finish.
• Additional coats are available upon request or when specified in the contract.
• Paint is applied with brush, roller or sprayer depending on the surface, project, and customers’ wishes.
• Non-painted surfaces are protected from splatter and drips.
• Only premium quality paints and stains are used.

Beware:

• When it comes to paint, more is not necessarily better. Each manufacturer has a recommended thickness for each coating. Most agree that 2 coats are optimum for surface protection. But over time, each additional coat over the home’s original siding actually adds weight that pulls from the surface, which could eventually cause peeling. That is one of the major reasons older homes have far more preparation than newer homes and it is not recommended to “over coat” a house.

1. Continuous year after year paint peeling problems are rarely because of the material used. In most cases, moisture is the reason. We at United Painting Co. attempt to locate the source of moisture, and present the possible remedies to our customers.
2. Don’t cut corners on paint quality! Paint and materials on a residential job usually total less than 20% of the total job price. So it makes sense to use the top-of-the- line in proven products. (no gimmicks)

5. Clean-Up:

• Performed daily and upon completion of the job.
• All supplies and refuge are removed.
• Plant beds cleaned and paint chips removed.
• Outdoor fixtures and furniture are replaced.
• Touch-up paint is labeled & left with the customer.

Beware:

1. Don’t store touch-up paint in the garage. It will freeze in winter and reduce its shelf life.

6. Inspection:

• Before the crew packs up their equipment, a “wet-walk-around” is done to ensure all contracted areas are painted properly.
• Final touch-ups are noted on a Quality List and are completed before the crew leaves.
• A United Painting Standard Inspection is performed by a Foreman or Project Leader.
• The United Painting Customer Comment Card is completed by the customer.

Beware:

1. You are missing out as a customer if you don’t get a chance to walk through the job at the time of completion. Our foreman and project managers try to estimate at what point in the day they will be finishing the work, so that our customers can have that last say, and get things done “just to their liking.” Many customers have told us time and time again, that “It’s the little things that count.” We hear you.

7. Warrantee:

• United Painting Company offers a written 2 year warrantee on all painting and contracting services.
• We also offer a Follow-up Maintenance “check-up” Program unique to our industry

By choosing United Painting Co, Inc. you are selecting the services of a professional painting and contracting company.

Over the years, many home and property owners have realized the benefits of our company and have allowed us to fill up our exterior schedule early in the spring. So please let us know as soon as possible so that we may make time to schedule your project.