Showing posts with label BILL THE PAINTER. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BILL THE PAINTER. Show all posts

Thursday, July 02, 2009

8 GUIDLINES BY BILL THE PAINTER

Thank you to Bill and Paint Pro for the excellent advise below.


Where Do These Guys Come From?

As many of you know, I’ve been in the painting and home repair business for more than 15 years, actually closer to 20. I learned from the beginning that if you do the job right at a fair price, the good word will spread. For the most part, that’s still true. There are quite a few good, reliable painters out there.

We also know that these “tough times” have been especially hard on the construction sector of the economy. People can’t afford to buy new homes; builders can’t sell them and can’t build more, subcontractors and suppliers also take a hit as well. What do these subcontractors do? They start their own company!

I have seen more new “painting companies” trucks, signs advertisements this year than I ever have before. Where do they come from? Who knows?!? The important question should be: “Where will they be next year?” Unfortunately there is no licensing requirement to be a painting contractor. There are no hard and fast rules on how to do the work and how long you should stand behind your work. There are companies out there who weren’t in business last year, at least under their current name, that are offering 5-year warranties on their work. That’s all good and fine if you can find them when there is a problem.

Here’s what happens when you don’t do your prep work:


How can you protect yourself from these fly by night companies?


1: Do a little research! Check them out with the Better Business Bureau. They keep track of many companies, whether they are members or not. Google them! Not only the company name, but the owner’s name as well. Did you know there is a local painting contractor that is a registered sex offender right here in JOCO? Do they have a website? How about a physical address?

2: Read their warranty. I’m not talking about the paint warranty, but the warranty on their workmanship. What will they do for you in the event of a claim? Will there be any additional charges involved?

3: Get a comprehensive proposal from them. A number written on a photocopied piece of paper doesn’t tell you squat! A good proposal should be tailored to your specific project. What process do they go through to paint your home? Power washing, scraping, caulking, priming? Make sure they specify what materials they are using including caulk, primer and paint. You can never get too much information!

4: Demand references! They should offer them with every bid, but sometimes you need to ask for them. No only should you call some of them, drive by and check out the work. Sometimes a customer is happy with the work while the work is substandard. Of course they won’t put people on their reference list that aren’t happy! Just check for yourself.

5: Make sure they are INSURED!!!! Demand a copy of their insurance proof. Not only should they carry liability insurance, but they should also carry worker’s compensation insurance. If they don’t have work comp, a person can sue you or your insurance company if they are injured on your property. Make sure their liability insurance limits are high enough to replace your home and your contents. If you have a $300,000 home and they accidentally burn it to the ground, their measly $100,000 policy is not going to help you.

6: Make sure they are using EMPLOYEES and not subcontractors. Employees are covered under the contractor’s work comp insurance, subs are not. If they insist on using subcontractors, make sure the subcontractor has work comp insurance. Do not hesitate to call their agent to verify the information. It is your responsibility to cover yourself here.

7: Ask your friends and family who they used. Ask someone you trust and whose opinion you respect. If your friends are picky and they are happy with their painter, you have a much better chance of getting the right contractor for the job.

8: Do NOT give them any money up front! A reputable painter had accounts at their suppliers and keeps money around for payroll. When I paint most homes, I don’t receive a dime until the job is done. I won’t even get the paint bill until after the job is done. If you feel compelled to pay a deposit, only do so on the day they start the job. Taking a deposit to “guarantee a spot on the schedule” is a total crock of excrement!

SPREAD THE WORD! If you have a company that you are happy with, don’t hesitate to tell your friends. Save them from hiring one of these fly by night companies! If you are looking for a reliable painter who does top notch work for a fair price, please visit my website at: http://www.paintproinc.net/

Thursday, June 11, 2009

BILL THE PAINTER

Yet Another Reason to Avoid Vinyl Siding!


Ever hear of vinyl siding on a home MELTING??? Sure, if you have a fire or your grill too close you would expect it, right?

This phenomenon came to my attention through NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) discussion boards on LinkedIn. A homeowner was having problems with their siding “melting” on the home. It looked something like this:



We all know it gets hot in the summer, but is it really hot enough to melt vinyl siding? What if I told you it happened in the WINTER! It just doesn’t seem likely, does it? Maybe it was vandalism, improper installation or something else.

Would you believe the damage was caused by the neighbor’s new energy efficient windows? Yep, the windows were causing the problem!

These new windows usually feature a LowE coating that reflect the sun’s light as well as the heat. This is what helps make these windows efficient and your energy bills manageable. On a bright, sunny day, the windows can act like a magnifying glass and focus the intense light on the siding. This focused light creates a lot of heat! Remember frying ant with a magnifying glass last week…I mean when we were young? It’s the same effect.


Check out the pictures below, the temperature readings were made in December!



The left picture shows the surface temperature of the siding where the neighbor’s window is reflecting the light. 185 DEGREES! The one on the right shows the actual ambient air temperature of 24 degrees. The date on the pictures is December 20th.

Ok, so we know what the problem is, now what’s the solution? Well, you can ask the neighbor to change his windows, good luck on that one! Your best bet is to plant a bush or tree on that location. Really! You may be able to use a higher quality thicker vinyl siding, but there is still no guarantee it won’t melt. Did you know that these problems are NOT covered under factory warranties? Nope, it’s not their fault!

If you are considering installing vinyl siding on your home, keep this problem in mind. Chances are it won’t happen to you, but you never know. One type of siding that will NOT ever melt is fiber cement siding. Coincidentally, my company just happens to install it! James Hardie siding is the leader in the Fiber Cement Siding Industry. It’s siding has a 50 year warranty. If you choose the pre-finished Color Plus product, it is also covered by a 15 year finish warranty. It will far outperform vinyl or steel when it comes to temperature extremes and hail damage. It will never rot, termites won’t touch it and neither will woodpeckers! If you think this siding is right for you, check out my website: http://www.paintproinc.net/
Have a great week!

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

WEDNSEDAYS WITH BILL


Coke or Pepsi?
Ok, so I’m really NOT going to talk about soft drinks! We all know Pepsi is better anyway, right? What I am going to talk about today is brands of paint, is one really better than the others?
For the most part, the answer is yes! But only when comparing apples to apples. Just like the soft drink battles, one may prefer Coke over Pepsi or vice versa, but we can all agree that the quality and taste are pretty consistent from batch to batch. Throw in a generic brand of soft drink and the situation may change. It may be “ok”, but not up to the standards of the big brands.
Most paint formulations are basically the same. For many paints, water makes up the largest percentage of the ingredient list. For exterior paints, the next larges ingredient is the Acrylic, which is basically the “plastic” that give a paint its body. The more Acrylic content, the better the paint. The most expensive ingredient in paint is Titanium Dioxide. This naturally occurring compound give paint its UV inhibiting properties and makes the paint “whiter,” among other things. Generally the more TiO2 in your paint, the better it will perform and the longer it will last. This is especially true when it comes to dark colors!
All that technical stuff being said, most paint performs pretty well these days. As long as you are using comparable products, you should get comparable performance. For example, Sherwin Williams’ SuperPaint will perform about the same as Kwal’s Ambassador or Porter’s Acri-Shield. They are all 100% Acrylic exterior paints. The same would go for the “lifetime” paints I’ve discussed in the past. Sherwin Williams’ Duration should perform about the same as Kwal’s Legacy and Porter’s Permanizer.
Just like I’ve also discussed before, ignore the warranty! Performance is what you are looking for. Regardless of the brand of paint you purchase, plan on repainting every 5-7 years here in the Midwest. As long as your painter is doing a good job of preparing your home, this is the proper interval for painting. The more your home is shaded, the longer your paint will last.
I guess the moral of the story here is when picking a paint, make sure you are using a name brand, quality paint. All paint stores will match their paint to another manufacturer’s color. DO NOT let the colors you choose dictate the brand of paint you use! Again, it all comes down to the painter you choose. Even the best paint in the world won’t last if the painter doesn’t do his job properly! Be sure to check their references, check them out with the Better Business Bureau. If he’s an independent contractor out on his own, check him out to make sure he isn’t a felon or sex offender. Most of the time reputable companies won’t hire them so they go to work for themselves. Cover all your bases!
Check out my blog for other articles or if you have any questions: http://billthepainter.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

BILL SETS YOU STRAIT ON PAINT


Bill once again shows us why he is the best paint guy in JOCO.

Paint Warranties; The Real Scoop


We’ve all heard the claims of “lifetime” warranted paint or 25 year guarantees, etc. What does that really mean? Keep reading and find out!

So you think you need Lifetime paint, maybe your painter says you need it. Well, in my opinion most of the time, you don’t. Let me first say that the lifetime offerings from any manufacturer are of better quality than their other paints. You DO get a better paint out of the deal! The problem lies in the warranty. If you ever get the chance to actually READ the warranty, you’ll see that it only covers peeling and blistering caused by the failure of the product.

Here’s a little secret: The product almost NEVER FAILS! With modern manufacturing techniques and quality control, there is almost no chance of defective paint coming from the factory. They are doing a great job! When paint peels, blisters or fails in general, its usually a preparation problem or maybe even a water infiltration issue. These conditions are not covered by any paint warranty whatsoever and who can blame them? There are all sorts of painters out there installing their product. There are no training requirements or licensing needed to be a painter.

If you think you have a warranty claim, you will need to contact the store where the paint was purchased. You may also need to keep the original receipts or get in touch with your painter (if you can still find them!). The paint store will then send out a representative to look over the problem. The will give you their honest opinion of what went wrong. Don’t be surprised if he blames the painter! If you do qualify for a warranty claim, the warranty only covers the replacement of the product, NOT the labor! They will give you some paint, but you are on your own after that.

Also note that paint warranties generally do not cover fading of their product. We all know that paint fades, no matter who puts it on or what they use, it will fade. Fading isn’t considered a “failure” under the warranty. No matter what, you should plan to paint your home every 5-7 years in the Midwest. There’s just no other way around it. If that is the typical paint life, why spend the extra money on the lifetime product? They are banking on people moving every 5 years. The warranty is not transferable!

Lifetime paint generally costs the painter around $42 per gallon. The next step down is usually around $24 per gallon. That’s a difference of $18 per gallon. Take that times the average house needing 32 gallons of paint and you’re looking at a difference of $576! That doesn’t include sales tax or markup for the painter!

The bottom line here is this: do not hesitate to use the next step down from lifetime when it comes to exterior paint. Just make sure you or your painter uses 100% Acrylic Latex. Make sure your painter knows what he is doing when it comes to preparation and product application. Don’t be afraid to pay a higher price to use a reputable painter.

Contact me with questions at: http://billthepainter.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

WEDNESDAYS WITH BILL

Bill is back again this week with some more great info for homeowners in the Metro. I always look forward to these because frankly I am clueless when it comes to home repairs etc..
Enjoy,
JOCOSOB


Energy Tax Credits for Windows

The Energy Star Rating: Is It Good Enough?

The short answer: Yes….and no!

Back in 2007, you could install any Energy Star rated window to qualify for the government energy tax credit. Millions of people had replacement windows installed and took advantage of the pr
ogram. The tax credits expired at the end of 2007 and were not renewed for 2008. Thankfully, they were reinstated for 2009 and 2010.

BUT!

For 2009, the government changed the rules! No longer is the Energy Star label enough to guarantee you windows qualify for the energy tax credits. A little explanation of the factors involved is warranted. Below is an example of the performance rating label found on all new windows:

The two important ratings here are the U-factor and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. These are just technical terms for the energy efficiency of the window. This windows IS Energy Star rated! If they were installed in 2007 you would qualify for the tax credit. The new parameters are .30 for each measurement. This window would NOT qualify for the 2009 tax credit!

What do those measurements mean?

U-Factor measures the rate of heat transfer and tells you how well the window insulates. The lower the U-Factor, the better the window insulates. U-Factor values generally range from 0.25 to 1.25

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures the fraction of solar energy admitted and tells you how well the product blocks heat caused by sunlight. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat the window transmits. SHGC is measured on a scale of 0 to 1; values typically range from 0.25 to 0.80.

This change in parameters left many window manufacturers scrambling to meet these new requirements. This resulted in additional testing time as well as increased costs. Basically, since the windows cost more, you have to spend more money to get your tax credit!

Ok, so you replaced your windows this year and your windows DON’T meet the 30/30 standards…are you out of luck? Thankfully, no! We all know how efficient the government can be! They realized, after the fact, that many windows didn’t meet the new standards and gave the industry (and homeowners) are reprieve until June 1, 2009. If you had windows installed before June 1st and they have the Energy Star label, they DO qualify for the tax credits! After June 1st your windows must meet the 30/30 standards….unless they change their minds again!

So how much of a tax credit do I qualify for? Basically for windows, you get 30% of the window price with a maximum tax credit of $1,500.00. So in order to get the full credit, you will spend at least $5,000 on your windows. Many times this isn’t a problem since vinyl replacement windows average around $400-500 installed. With windows, you generally get what you pay for. More money = more features. Be sure to check out your installer to make sure they are qualified to install windows properly. This is one area where you do NOT want to skimp!

Check out my website, we install all kinds of windows, whether full frame new construction style windows or replacement windows. Our in-house installers know how to do the job right, the first time! No surprises! Check me out at: http://www.paintproinc.net/

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

BILL TALKS KITCHENS THIS WEEK.

Residents of KCMO and KCK pay special attention to this one. If you want to upgrade the value of your home it starts in the Kitchen, not by putting a sofa and mattress on the side of your house.
Enjoy,
JOCOSOB
Not So Extreme Makeover!

Since a lot of people these days are still a little jittery about “moving up” when it comes to buying a home, it is a good time to improve what they already own! Many people fix up their homes right before they sell them. WHY??? If you’re going to pay for the improvements, shouldn’t you enjoy them?

An upgraded kitchen is probably the best improvement you can make. Of course, with any project, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. Before starting anything, you need to do a little planning. Ask yourself a few important questions:

1: Do you like the way the cabinets are currently laid out?
2: Is it time for new appliances? Do you really NEED stainless steel?
3: It’s time for countertops, what is the best surface for your needs?

4: What do I want for a backsplash? Tile? Granite? Synthetic?

5: Do you have adequate lighting?

6: What are you going to do about your floor?


These are just the major ones! There are a LOT of decisions to be made, but all are important for a successful project!

If you are happy with the layout of your cabinets, there is probably no need to replace them. Painting them properly can completely change the look of your kitchen without the high cost of new cabinets. Stained cabinets can be successfully painted! Think about replacing doors and drawers with a fresh, new style. You’ll be surprised at the difference it can make! You cabinets can also be modified to accommodate new appliances. Changing the hardware to a newer style or finish can also make a difference.

New countertops can also make a huge difference in the look of a kitchen. You don’t have to go with a high end granite or synthetic for an upscale look. There are many attractive laminate colors and finishes. Not only that, there are different edge treatments available.



Believe it or not, the countertop in the above picture is NOT granite! It’s a laminate with a 180 wrap edge.

Stainless steel appliances are the IN thing right now, but they are not the only option. Depending on your cabinets and colors, black appliances may fit the bill just fine. You just need to make sure they will fit in your cabinet layout. Did you always want your microwave to hang above your range? Now is the time to do it! Again, your cabinets can easily be modified.

If you are doing all of this, you will need to address your backsplash. You don’t NEED natural stone. There are many patterns in ceramic tile that mimic the look at a fraction of the price. It’s also a good time to add under/above cabinet lighting if you desire.

If your floor is in good shape and you like it the way it is, great! You don’t HAVE to do it, just make sure it all works together with the rest of the colors in the kitchen. If you have wood floors, you should consider refinishing them now. When it comes to wood floors, always opt for the additional coat or upgraded Glitza finish for a long life.

Just remember, there’s a right way and a wrong way to paint cabinets. Preparation is the key! Please don’t go o Home Depot and buy some white latex paint and go to town! It will fail in no time. Latex paint should NEVER by applied to cabinetry and woodwork!

If you would like to see some kitchen makeover pictures, visit my website here:
http://www.paintproinc.net/interior.html Scroll down a little for the kitchen pictures.

Feel free to contact me with questions or to request a subject for a future column. All comments are welcome!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

GUEST POSTER - BILL THE PAINTER


As promised here is another one of my guest posters that will be appearing weekly. Bill is not much of a political pundit(we have enough of those) but he brings some great insight into other everyday things. Please Enjoy.
JOCOSOB


In This Economy?

Yep, how many times have you heard that? How many times have you SAID that? It’s getting a little old, I know. It almost seems like we need to do things differently than we did before. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but maybe we can reevaluate some of the things in our lives.

If you were looking for something political here…..sorry! Not gonna do it!

First of all, let me thank JOCOSOB for letting me help out a little here. My name is Bill, also known as “Bill the Painter.” That’s the name of my blog here on blogspot. I own a painting, siding and window company here in Kansas City. I have been in the home improvement industry for nearly 20 years. Yeah, I know…I don’t look that old! My guest columns are going to be home improvement related, not necessarily political. Thanks for reading and watch for me each week, usually on Wednesday.

Back to “this economy.” There are many of us who, for one reason or another, are cutting back on things. This is all good and fine. Heck, we may all learn a little from the experience. I will say that one place you should NOT CUTBACK is you home’s maintenance. Sure, we would all like to move to a bigger home, maybe a newer home, condo or something else. Since that isn’t always possible, why not “Love the one you’re with?”

Home improvement can take many forms! Sure, painting your home is a great way to freshen it up, increase your curb appeal. It also helps protect your investment. Usually your home is the biggest investment in your portfolio, it will always be worth something! A typical home in the Kansas City area should be painted every 5 to 7 years. I don’t care what “warranty” is placed on a can of paint, it won’t last 25 years! Ok it may, but you certainly won’t like the way it looks!

Spring is a great time to get outside and take a look at the condition of your home. Is the paint peeling? Fading? How about your siding and windows? Look for rotting wood, bowing siding, missing window glazing. You’ll see it. Rot needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. It’s a fungus that will do nothing but spread, doing more damage as time goes on.

Ok, so you’ve figured out that you need some work done…now what? Grab the Yellow pages and find a painter? You COULD to that, but how do you choose? Not all painters are created equal! Its one thing to paint a house, but taking care of the rot issues takes a certain skill set that not all painters have. Just as most carpenters aren’t good painters. You should really check out the Better Business Bureau. They are unbiased and honest. Most reliable painters are on there and are rated according to people’s experiences. You owe it to yourself to do your due diligence!

What should you look for in a painting contractor? I’m glad you asked! After you checked them out with the BBB, call the ones that you are interested in working with. Don’t just let them come by and put a bid in the door! MEET WITH THEM! How do they know what you are looking for? How do you know they are what YOU are looking for? Just make sure you tell all the contractors the same thing so they are all bidding on the same project.
What should their proposal include? It should include all labor AND materials for one thing. Any painter that wants you to supply the paint should be disqualified immediately! If they can’t buy paint, it’s probably because they have no credit and owe the paint store a LOT of money! Not cool! It should include a detailed description of the prep work and painting to be done. The price for the painting should also be firm. A good painter knows what it will take to paint a home. You should not be penalized if he doesn’t include enough paint to complete the job. References! Don’t just ask for them…call them! Sure, the painter will give you favorable ones, but you should ask the reference if they were happy with the project and most importantly: Would you hire this person again? Insurance! This is the most important item of all! Make sure the painter is covered for general liability and worker’s compensation insurance. It is your responsibility to make sure you are protected. Many painters use subcontractors. Make sure THEY are covered as well. Some work comp policies exclude subcontractors. Don’t hesitate to call their insurance carrier. Still awake? Good!

Payment terms. This is a tough one. I usually require full payment on completion. I have credit with my suppliers and may not get the bill until after your project is complete. It is very rare for me to ask for a deposit for a residential paint project. Siding and windows are a different story! If they require a deposit, only give it the day the work begins. Why do they need your money weeks before your project starts? To guarantee a spot on their schedule? Please…. If they don’t trust you, maybe you shouldn’t trust them. Pay only when you are satisfied with the finished product. They are less likely to come back and take care of you once they have your money. Thankfully, we are not all like that.

Conclusion. Ok, by now you are really interested or really bored! Thanks for reading this and staying awake. Your questions, suggestions and criticisms are always welcome! Feel free to comment here, I will read them. If you have specific subjects you would like to see discussed here, just let me know. You can always visit my home at Bill The Painter.com