Why Hire a Pro for Your Painting Project?

Why Hire A Professional Painting and Decorating Contractor?

Before you decide to "do it yourself" or hire the least expensive painter you can find, here are some points to consider that suggest the lowest price may not be the best value!

Safety: Painting can be hazardous work, whether it’s working on a ladder or dealing with solvents and dust. Hiring a professional contractor means you don’t have to worry about these problems.

Health: If your home was built before 1978, it was almost certainly painted with lead-based paint, which can cause serious health effects when it is scraped or sanded in preparation for repainting. Professional contractors will take appropriate steps to protect you. After June 1, 1999, remodeling contractors, including painters, will be required to furnish EPA produced pamphlets to their customers before they begin a job that involves disturbing lead-based paint. Professional painting contractors will understand and be willing to follow the recommendations on this pamphlet.

Preparation: Getting the surface properly prepared makes all the difference. Professional contractors know the value of preparation and will do it right. Knowing paints and how to apply them. The choices today are more complicated than just oil or latex, and professional contractors will know what works, how to use it, and will have the right tools for the job.

Cleanup and Disposal: Hiring a professional contractor means you don’t have to worry about dealing with paint residues and other leftovers. Professionals will know how to handle hazardous wastes that may be part of the job.

How to Choose the Right Contractor for Your Project

Once you have decided to contract with someone to do a particular painting and decorating project, how do you go about selecting the right person or firm? Do you make your selection on price, size of company, years in business, or other criteria?

To locate the names of reputable contractors, there are many sources of information. Some of these sources would be friends, relatives, architects, decorators, yellow pages, trade associations, local "quality- oriented" paint supply stores, and newspaper advertisements. However, these sources can only give you limited general information. In order to make an educated decision, you need some specific information about any person or firm you are considering hiring.

Always ask if the contractor is licensed and insured. Quality contracting firms will be only too happy to provide you with copies of their certificates of insurance. They should provide bonding information (if the job is large enough to require such) and documentation of safety training and compliance programs.

Reputable contractors will encourage the use of a written contract. This contract should clearly explain the scope of the work to be performed. It should also cover such items as surfaces to be painted, methods and extent of surface preparation, time schedules for the project, and payment procedures. Knowing the total scope of the work enables you to carefully evaluate the different bids you may receive with the proper information and keep them on a level playing field. The contract serves to protect both you and the contractor.

Obtain a list of references from the prospective contractor. This list should include the contact person, address, and telephone number of the previous client. Follow up on this list with a phone call. Remember, the contractor will not give you a bad reference. Therefore, ask references if they know of any other work this contractor has performed. Be sure to ask whether the contractor and employees treated you professionally and with respect. The references you are interested in should be from projects similar in size and scope to yours. Also, these projects should be at least a few years old. This will help you gauge the performance of the construction and materials used. If possible, try to see the work that was done.

Discuss any guarantee or warranty programs the contractor may offer. Ask about the manufacturer's warranty on the products to be used on your project. Remember you are looking for long-term durability from the paint job. The use of high quality products is as important as the selection and performance of the contractor.

Good contractors are very eager for your business. They are also very proud of their craftsmanship. Once you have made your selection, step back and give the professional room to execute the project. You have both done your homework, so give the professional the opportunity to meet and exceed your expectations. Remember, as with anything else in life, you get what you pay for. If you want high quality and reliable service, be willing to pay the price that comes with it. Good luck with your painting projects.

Why Us?

Philadlephia House Painters was founded to provide residential customers with the quality, customer service, and professionalism they demand in all areas of painting. The vision was clear: deliver the best possible job in a timely manner, while maintaining integrity and attention to detail.

In order to remain at the top of our industry we continue to analyze and experiment with the latest products. We believe it is our responsibility to ensure that we use the highest-grade materials possible on your home. We attend national and local trade shows, which allow us to maintain the knowledge and expertise to deliver unparalleled results that will stand the test of time.

Philadlephia House Painters is fully insured and our insurance information is available upon request. Rest assured that you are dealing with professionals that have your best interests in mind and at heart at all times.

Interior Painting

Interior painting is an important step to beautify your home. However, it can be a very stressful process! Impressive Painters strives to make sure your high quality interior paint job is completed with as little inconvenience to you and your family as possible. Please follow the links below to learn more about our interior painting process.

The first step in the painting process is the initial consultation. During this consultation we will walk through your home and review the rooms or areas to be painted. For interior painting, it is helpful to have a general idea of what color you would like in any room that will be painted. This will help us to provide you with an accurate estimate. We will also use this time to explain any problem areas, and to inquire about your concerns or questions. Call us for a free consultation Jim Tyler (215) 964-8505.

We will provide a detailed written estimate with all the various options that are available for your paint project. This quotation will provide the details about the surfaces that will be painted and the materials we will use to complete your job. Philadelphia House Painters uses Sherwin Williams’s products, ensuring that your home will continue to look its best for years to come. There are a wide variety of high quality interior paints, so it is important to us to have the opportunity to discuss your project with you and make sure your paint will meet your needs!

When repainting a room with the same color we will match the existing color or colors. The easiest way to match the colors is by taking samples from the original paint. Sherwin Williams will then custom match the colors. If you do not have paint to use for samples, we will use the Sherwin Williams color wheel to try to find a match. If there is not a color in the color wheel that matches, we will take a sample and have Sherwin Williams’s custom match the sample. When we are finished, we will leave the remaining paint with you, so you will have all your formulas in the future.

For two coat jobs, any interior color can be selected. However, some color changes will require a coat of primer in addition to the two coats of paint. Once you sign your contract you will be given a Sherwin Williams color wheel which includes all standard Sherwin Williams colors. Color selection can be an intimidating process and trying to determine what color to paint your room or rooms based on a color chip can seem impossible. To help you through this process here are our suggestions.

Look at rooms of family and friends and ask them about color schemes you like. Since you will have seen the colors on a large scale, this is a great way to know you will enjoy the color in your room. Look through magazines or catalogs and mark rooms you like. You may notice you tend to select rooms in similar colors, which can help to narrow down your choices. Also, many decorating magazines have information about the paint colors featured throughout the magazine.

Hire a decorator to help you with color selection. This may seem like an expensive option; yet using a decorator for color selection only can be surprisingly affordable. Additionally, decorators are trained to help you determine what works with your existing furniture. Their fee can be well worth it to make sure you end up with a room you love.

Go to Sherwin Williams [click here for Store Locations] and examine the colors on display there. Your local Sherwin Williams store has many pre-arranged color combinations on display. You may find exactly what you are looking for in one of these combinations.

If you are unable to find colors in the Sherwin Williams color wheel, you can look for colors you like at Home Depot, Lowes, MAB, Duron or any other paint store. We will take the color sample you select to Sherwin Williams and have them match it. Sherwin Williams has formulas for almost every color from every manufacturer, ensuring a fast accurate match every time.

Once you find a color you like, you may want to sample that color in your room. Colors often look different when applied, especially in artificial light, so sampling is an important step. Contact us about samples or you may create samples on your own. Remember, ALL color changes will require two coats of paint, so your first coat will not be an accurate indication of the finished product. Please remember, when changing paint colors, the color selection is the customer’s responsibility. Although we are willing to help, WE CANNOT SELECT COLORS FOR YOU!

The next step to prepare for interior painting is clearing the room to protect your belongings and floors. We ask that you remove small items, such as collectibles, or anything you would prefer that someone else not handle from the rooms to be painted before our arrival. When we arrive we will move all furniture to another room or to the center of the room. Then, we will tape off the edges of the room. Once the edges of the room are taped, we will cover the floors and any remaining furniture with plastic. This is the most important step in interior painting, and we will complete this process before any paint is brought into your home! All open floor areas will be drop clothed!

Once all unpainted surfaces are covered, we will prepare the walls for painting. We will remove all the switch plates and outlet covers. Then, we will fill any holes or cracks and repair any drywall damage. Once the spackle has dried we will sand these areas on the walls to ensure a smooth and even paint application. If needed, we will then prime with the appropriate Sherwin Williams interior primer.

After we have completed all the preparation it is time to apply the paint. For interior painting we apply all paint by hand using brushes and rollers. This is the best way to achieve a uniform and beautiful application. For any painted surface we will first paint the edges and corners with a brush. We will then use a roller to paint the remaining areas.

When painting all the surfaces in a room we will paint the ceiling first. Upon completion of the ceiling, we will paint the walls. The trim, including windows, baseboards, moldings, and doors, will be painted last. When trim is not painted it will be taped during job preparation to ensure the wall paint stays on the walls only! After completing all painting, we will go around your room again to make sure there are no drips or missed areas.

Once we complete any touch up, we will remove the tape and plastic and return the furniture to its original location. Then we will meet with you and give you the opportunity to inspect the completed project for yourself. This final walk-through is how we make sure you are completely satisfied with your paint project, so don't hesitate to ask any questions. We will address all of your concerns. It may help to compose a punch list or mark areas with post-it notes, and we encourage you to do that. Your paint job is never complete until you say it is!

Exterior Painting

Exterior painting is an important step to protect your home from the elements. Philadelphia House Painters are determined to provide our customers with a high quality exterior paint job, as well as excellent customer service. Please follow the links below to learn more about our exterior painting process.

The first step in the exterior painting process is the initial consultation. During this consultation we will walk around your home and review the areas to be painted. We will explain any problem areas, and will also inquire about your concerns or questions. We will provide a detailed written estimate with all the various options that are available for your paint job.

Your quotation will provide the details about the surfaces that will be painted and the materials we will use to complete your job. Philadelphia House Painting uses Sherwin Williams’s products, ensuring that your home will continue to look its best for years to come. Leaving your estimate in the mailbox or on the front door is not an option. Every paint job is different, and is important to us to have the opportunity to discuss your paint job with you! Call us for an initial free consultation Jim Tyler (215) 964-8505.

Many of our exterior paint jobs are single coat repaints of the same color. When repainting your home the same color we will match the existing colors. The easiest, and most accurate, way to match the colors is by taking samples from the original paint. Sherwin Williams will then custom match the colors. If you do not have paint to use for samples, we will use the Sherwin Williams color wheel to try to find a match. If there is not a color in the color wheel that matches, we will take samples from the least faded areas on your house and have Sherwin Williams’s custom match them. When we are finished, we will leave the remaining paint with you, so you will have all your paint formulas in the future.

For two coat paint jobs, any exterior color can be selected. Once you sign your contract you will be given a Sherwin Williams color wheel which includes all standard Sherwin Williams colors. Color selection can be an intimidating process and trying to determine what color to paint your entire home based on a color chip can seem impossible. To help you through this process here are our suggestions.

Walk or drive through your neighborhood or nearby neighborhoods and look at houses to determine what color schemes you like. If you find a house that has colors you like, ask the homeowner what colors they have on their home. Since you will have seen the colors on a large scale, this is by far the best way to know you will enjoy the color on your home.

If you are unable to find colors in the Sherwin Williams color wheel, you can look for colors you like at Home Depot, Lowes, Duron or any other paint store. We will take the color sample you select to Sherwin Williams and have them match it. Sherwin Williams has formulas for almost every color from every manufacturer, ensuring a fast, accurate match every time.

Once you find a color you like, you may want to sample that color on your home. Colors often look different when applied, so sampling is an important step, especially if you are unsure about a color. Contact us about having a sample applied to your house or you may apply samples on your own. Remember, ALL color changes will require two coats of paint, so your first coat will not be an accurate indication of the finished product. We will be happy to provide you with up to 3 sample colors with any two coat contract. Additional samples can be applied to your home for an additional charge.

Please remember, when changing paint colors, the color selection is the customer’s responsibility. If your colors must be approved by a homeowner’s association or architectural committee, please have this completed prior to our arrival. UNFORTUNATELY, WE CANNOT SELECT COLORS FOR YOU!

Look at any freshly painted home from the street and you may believe that the contractor did a "good" job. Never settle for a "good" job! The difference between a "good" job and a Impressive Painters job lies under the surface! The preparation when refinishing a home is what will guarantee your home holds up years from now.

We start every job by powerwashing all surfaces to be painted. Even if your home appears clean, we must powerwash all surfaces to ensure a high quality paint job. Powerwashing removes all mildew, dust, and chalking paint which can prohibit paint from properly adhering to the substrate.

Our uniformed professionals will begin by caulking all joints and cracks. We caulk all expansion joints (where siding meets siding), trim boards and window frames -- not just those that appear to need it. If all joints all not caulked, your home will be suspect to premature weathering.

We will fill all nail holes using painter's putty. The painter's putty dries to form an impenetrable barrier against the elements. Any unfilled nail holes can trap moisture which will lead to water damage. Especially on home with Masonite siding, this is a critical step. If nail holes are not filled, water will build up in the nail holes and cause major damage!

Any areas of chipping or peeling paint must be sanded prior to painting. Simply recoating surfaces with peeling paint will only temporarily mask the problem. The proper way to deal with chipping paint is to sand down all surfaces to bare wood. Once all the loose paint has been removed, the exposed surface must be primed prior to painting to ensure proper adhesion. We prime all these areas using Sherwin Williams A-100 primer.

You take great pride in your home and the landscaping around it. Before painting we will cover all unpainted surfaces (shingles, landscaping, deck, concrete, etc). We also remove all street numbers, doorbells, brass kick plates, doorknockers, light fixtures, shutters, and downspouts to ensure a complete paint job.

After we have completed all prep work it, we will apply the paint. At Philadelphia House Painters our paint job is always applied by hand with absolutely NO SPRAYING! Except when required by our client.

We believe that you will receive a far superior job when paint is applied with a brush. For one, it is nearly impossible to get a good thick coat of paint under the lapses on siding boards when you spray. Masonite siding is especially susceptible to rot and water damage. Without a thick coat of paint protecting the undersides of these boards you may end up having to repair the siding. Another benefit to hand-brushed painting is that you will not need to worry about spray damage to surrounding homes, vehicles, and landscaping. That ensures that you, and your neighbors, will be pleased.

The first step when applying the paint is to coat all of the siding on the home. Once the siding is complete, we will go around your home a second time and paint all window frames, trim boards, fascia boards, and overhangs. When the siding and trim are complete, we will paint the shutters and doors. After completing all painting, we will go around your home again to ensure that all windows have been cleaned and there are no drips or missed areas. If we are staining your deck, we will apply the stain to the deck once all painting is complete.

Once we complete the painting, we will meet with you and give you the opportunity to inspect the completed project for yourself. This is the final walk-through. The purpose of the final walk through is to ensure that your paint job has been completed to your satisfaction, so please feel free to ask questions! We will address all of your concerns. If it helps for you to use binoculars or to open windows and look from the inside, we encourage you to take those steps. Your paint job is never complete until you say it is!

Request a Quote

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to request a quote from Philadelphia House Painters, please email us and include the following information:

1.  Your Name
2.  Address
3.  Phone Number

(Please use the appropriate email address listed below. Thank you!)

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