On-site estimates for painting projects are almost always more accurate and specific to your particular project. While there are a number of preparations that you need to make before the actual project begins, you can also prep for the initial site visit.
For the best results, you want to be open with your painters and help them out in whatever ways you can. Doing so will speed up the project and ensure that the final result is in line with what you imagined. This all starts with the initial visit, which you can prepare for by remembering all of the following tips.
Move Furniture and Clear the Walls
For your painters to create an accurate estimate, it’s important that they have good visibility of the area that needs to be painted.
While you don’t necessarily need to clear an entire room for the estimate, it might help to remove any major obstructions that could distort the scale of the project. You probably don’t need to go out of your way but pulling forward some furniture, removing paintings, and pulling in the curtains could help and you will have to do this anyway.
Express Concerns or Special Requirements
Were you dissatisfied with a previous painting project? Are there specific requirements or concerns that your painters need to be aware of? It’s important to disclose whatever information you think might benefit your painters and help them do a better job that satisfies your needs as a homeowner or business owner. You can also avoid needless mistakes that could ultimately lengthen the project time.
Create a Color Palette
If you plan on getting your paint through the paint company, it might help to have a list of colors that you are interested in before they show up to do the estimate.
Certain paints may be more expensive or more affordable than others and if your painters need to order material, they will be able to do so immediately since they know what you want. Even if your color ideas are general, they can lay out some of your options and let you know what’s available.
Know When You Would Like to Begin
If you haven’t thought about when you would like the project to begin, you should probably do this before your painters arrive. If you don’t secure a start date as soon as possible, your painters may become unavailable, forcing you to wait longer. In general, your estimate is a good time to discuss both of your schedules. You can settle on a date then so that you don’t need to worry about it later.
Ask for a Written Estimate
If your painters are visiting your property in person, chances are that they will give you a written estimate but if they don’t, it’s important that you ask for one. Painters should provide a written no-obligation estimate that lays out all of the costs of material and labor; this will also allow you to set aside money if you need to.
Sam knew there had to be more opportunity in the marketplace, albeit in an industry he already had experience with. So, while working for the lumber company during the week, Sam would start to take on some painting projects on the side during the weekends. This would go on for over a year until the Spring of 2017. It seemed the perfect time to go all in on the painting. He gave his two weeks’ notice and was told, “the door is always open for you here.” That was a nice sentiment, and as it turned out, that lumber company would become one of Painter Pro’s first and largest customers. Sam would continue working closely with the lumber company on their projects and facilities.