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1. Why Repaint the Exterior?
Painting the exterior of your home
or business will do more than simply create an attractive appearance. It
will provide protection from the sun, the weather, and other environmental
factors that can gradually damage your home or building.
Important Considerations Are:
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Choosing attractive colors
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Choosing correct types of paint
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Selecting proper applicators
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Proper surface preparation
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Following manufacturer's
suggested application procedures
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Thorough clean up
2. How do I Choose the Right
Exterior Colors?
Whether you're painting your home
for the first time or simply repainting it, you will want to carefully
select exterior colors.
Here are some points to remember
when making your selection:
Consider Neighboring Homes:
You'll want yours to be compatible with those surrounding it, but not
exactly the same.
Consider the area in which you
live.
For example, multi-color Victorians might be appropriate in San Francisco,
but would seem out of place in some other areas.
On homes with unique architectural
detail, use an additional color to emphasize them.
To get ideas on colors to choose,
look at actual homes, magazines, or go to a paint supplier's website to use
the Virtual House Painting Wizard.
3. How do I Choose the Right
Interior Colors?
The following are some questions to
consider when choosing colors for the interior of your home.
How do you want the room to feel?
We all react differently to color, depending on our associations with it.
But it's always extremely powerful. Don't underestimate the effect it can
have on your mood.
How will the room be used?
In a small space where you won't spend much time, such as a powder bath or
entry, color can be much more dramatic.
Will it be a day room or a night
room?
It is wise to paint test swatches on your walls and check them at the time
of day when you plan to use the room. The quality of natural light changes
considerably during the course of the day.
What are the predominant colors of
your furniture, upholstery, carpets, and artwork?
Look to them for inspiration, but fight the impulse to match too exactly.
4. How to Choose the Best
Contractor?
No matter who you award the contract
to, here is a list of things that every reputable painting company should
provide.
Written estimate
The scope of the contract should be clearly defined including areas to be
finished, surface preparation, type of material, number of coats, and total
project cost.
Who will perform the work?
Competency of personnel and quality of work is often questionable when
completed by seasonal or part time employees or subcontracted painting
companies.
When is the job to be paid?
When a contractor requests significant payment before work begins, it is
usually a sign of insufficient credit or under-capitalization. Either or
both could lead to problems.
Who did you speak with when you
first called?
A personal response to your call assures you prompt attention to your needs
now and in the future. Voicemail or message service cannot always produce
the same results. Ask for the contractor's mobile number.
Were references offered?
References will help you determine the contractor's ability to perform.
Is the contractor properly
insured?
If the contractor is not adequately insured, you risk having to insure the
project yourself.
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