Q: When is it time to get my house painted?
A: You do not have to wait to see signs of paint failure before repainting your house. In fact, please don’t wait. Like replacing your roof before it caves in, repainting your home will prevent it from having more significant surface problems. Painting is not only a cosmetic and remedial measure but also a preventative measure to keep your house in tip-top shape.
It is best to repaint your house every 5-10 years or 4-7 years if it is stained, depending on how well it was painted or stained the last time. Your house should be ready for a new paint job when the correct number of years has passed. Of course, it is also good to check your home now and then for any surface issues.
If your house has fading paint, its film thickness has deteriorated considerably. Fading paint also allows other contaminants, like rusting or wood rot, to settle or spread, depending on the surface type of your home’s exterior.
If your house has chipped, cracked, or peeled paint, the substrate is no longer protected. In this case, wood rot or rust will indeed happen, depending on the substrate. Besides making your house look unsightly, wood rot or rust will cause rapid damage to the substrate.
Q: What should I look for when interviewing and hiring a paint contractor?
A: There are several key factors to consider when hiring a painting contractor. At the very least, check whether the contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured. Consider a contractor with general liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. Of course, you will also want an experienced contractor capable of completing work within the allotted time frame and budget. Look for contractors who will provide you with a free estimate and local references.
Q: How many years has Custom Painting, Inc. been in business?
A: The owner of Custom Painting, Inc. started the business in 1982.
Q: Are you licensed and insured?
A: Custom Painting, Inc. is a licensed and insured company. The state contractor license number is 512717. You can check out our current license status on the state contractor’s board website https://www.cslb.ca.gov/. You can also see there that we are bonded and insured. We are also listed on Better Business Bureau https://bbb.org, where you can confirm our license number.
Q: Do you provide references?
A: Yes, we always provide local references upon request.
Q: Do you use oil or latex paint?
A: Latex paints are more environmentally friendly than oil-based paints, as oil-based paints emit fumes that can be bothersome and hazardous, especially on interior painting jobs.
Latex paints and primers have significantly improved and are durable. For example, a latex finish on an exterior paint job will remain elastic for many years. On the other hand, oil-based paints will become hard and brittle as they dry. As exterior surfaces expand and contract in response to weather changes, latex paints will only conform to the movement, whereas oil paints tend to crack with these surface changes.
However, oil-based paints will give a smooth finish as they spread better on the surface. Unlike latex paints, oil-based paints do not show that many brush marks. Oil paints also become hard and dry, making them more durable and washable than latex.
Q: During which time of the year, season, or weather conditions should I have my house painted?
A: The San Francisco Bay Area is known for its mild climate, so we can paint all year round. It can be easier to paint during the “rainy” season than in the summer because of the famous San Francisco fog that peaks during the summer months, usually July and August. At such times, it can be challenging to paint outside in these foggy conditions, especially in the morning. Without warning, the fog rolls in and thickens, ruining a day’s work. At least, in the rainy season, we can see forecasts of the forthcoming rain that will help us to plan our projects accordingly.
Q: How long will it take to paint my home?
A: A standard residential paint job will take as little as 4-5 days to complete, and the prep work takes a good chunk of that time. However, several factors can affect the timeframe, such as the size of your home, the type and condition of the surfaces you want to be painted, the type of work required, the schedule, and weather conditions if the project involves exterior painting.
Q: Will I feel confident to leave my home while your painting crew works?
A: Yes. Most clients we work for are away while the project takes place. While you are at work, running errands, or taking a holiday, our paint crew will be busy painting. We are licensed and fully insured, so you can confidently leave your home while we paint it.
Q: How will you protect my property, including my personal belongings, from paint?
A: On exterior painting, we protect shrubs, flower beds, and surrounding areas from paint drips and splatters. We recommend removing all the delicate and breakable items for interior painting first. Then we will protect the remaining items by covering them with clean drop cloths or plastic sheeting.
Q: What type of paint brand do you use?
We purchase the paint we use on every job from the Kelly-Moore Paint Company unless the customer prefers a different brand.
Q: How many layers of paint do you apply?
A: We apply two coats, or layers, of paint for most of our projects. Two coats of paint are enough to adequately hide surface imperfections and make the paint job last longer.
Q: Do you offer a warranty?
A: Yes, we offer a five-year warranty on structural buildings. We also offer a one-year warranty on floor surfaces.
Q: Do you charge for an estimate
A: We do not charge a fee to provide an estimate for your painting project. Call us at 925-294-8062 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment with our estimator and receive a free estimate.