Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

Q: Can you paint brick?
A: Yes, and it is very common these days. Whether it is a fireplace in the Family Room or the entire outside of the house there are 2 basic finishes for brick: painted and whitewashed. Painting can be any solid color that will result in a very uniform appearance. To do it properly requires 2 steps. Applying a masonry primer and finishing it with a top coat.  The top coat can be any quality acrylic paint, most commonly we use Sherwin-Williams Superpaint or Duration.  The use of a proper masonry primer is critical. It will block chemicals or efflorescence from leaching through the finish coat and ensure the paint adheres for years to come.

Whitewashing is a transparent or semi-transparent finish.  It allows some of the color of the brick to show through.  This results in a weathered or aged look that many folks find appealing.  Just how much brick shows is completely up to the homeowner. We can adjust it to suit your tastes. Again it is necessary to use a product designed to be used on brick.

In either case, we would start by thoroughly cleaning the surface to be painted. We can fill minor cracks, but any large cracks, missing mortar, or settling should be first addressed by a mason.  If the brick is very new it will need to be tested for proper pH level.

Q: Is there anything special to know about decks?
A: To prepare for the deck project, please move small or breakable items. We will wash the deck and allow it to dry before returning to stain it. Normal prep work on decks includes scraping loose stains and peeling wood. Some light sanding will be included. Normal prep does not include sanding to a perfect finish. If you would like a higher level of prep please make sure to mention it to your salesperson. After staining the deck should be allowed to dry for 24-48 hours before replacing furniture, especially heavy items like grilles.

Stains are available in transparent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, and solid. When decks are new they can be brought to an outstanding appearance with the use of any of these products, typically the solid stains will last longer than the transparent or semi-transparent ones. As the wood ages, it is frequently advisable to use only solid stains. These cover up all the variations in the wood and the varying level of color left from previous stains. When decks are extremely weathered, the use of an elastomeric product becomes advisable. This is a much thicker product that will fill small cracks and imperfections.

Q: Can you help with colors?
A: Yes we can! Your sales consultant can help with basics and advising on current popular colors. Beyond that, if your project is larger than $2,000 we are happy to provide the services of an in-home color consultant.

Q: What should I do to prepare for painting?
A: Exterior: Bushes, trees or other landscaping that is in contact with areas to be painted should be cut back a few feet to allow proper access. Things such as small potted plants and furniture cushions should be moved. We will move or cover large objects. Please let us know of anything such as landscape lighting or sprinkler systems of which we need to take special note. Please understand that ladders are heavy and the more room we have to work the better! Bleach will be used when we wash to kill mold and mildew, so please advise of anything, in particular, that could be damaged by the bleach. Also, please make sure windows are tightly closed and screens are unlatched on the inside. We will remove the screens from the outside if we are painting the windows, but they need to be unlatched. After we wash it’s a good idea to check around windows and doors for any leakage.

A (continued): Interior: Please move all small, breakable, or high-value items. Disconnect wiring if electronics need to be moved. We can move TVs from walls but request that you are present while doing so. We will move or cover large items such as sofas and beds. We work based on “see a nail, leave a nail, see a hole, patch a hole” – which means if you want to put pictures back in the same place leave the nail, any holes we see will be patched. If there are nails you can’t reach or can’t pull put a sticky note by them so we know to pull them. Finally, if your project entails multiple colors, and/or accent walls it is helpful if you label the walls with tape or sticky notes just to be sure we get it right.

Q: How much will it cost to paint my house?
A: That is everybody’s first question, and unfortunately the hardest to answer. There are many factors in play. We start by finding out your objectives such as how long do you plan to live in the house, the impact of kids and pets, and what the colors will be. Also to be considered is the amount of repair or extra prep work required, such as wood rot on the outside or holes in sheetrock on the inside. Ballpark prices can be given, but until a thorough evaluation is performed a firm price cannot be calculated. But once you get a price from CertaPro it will be a firm, fixed price.

Q: Do you have a project minimum?
A: Yes, $750. If a project is smaller than that we most like cannot be efficient with the size of our crews.

Q: Is there anything that can change the cost of a project after a customer receives a quote?
A: Yes, particularly on exterior work, wood rot can be found after pressure washing and when the crew accesses high areas on ladders. Any additional work will be shown to the homeowner, and a fair price will be agreed upon before proceeding.

Q: When is the best time to paint?
A: With modern technology, there really isn’t a ‘best’ time. We follow the manufacturer’s guides on temperature and moisture. In Atlanta, we can paint outside all year. In the winter, the days are shorter, but otherwise, we can paint when it’s warm enough and not raining.

Q: How often should people paint their homes?
A: This is another difficult question to answer. There are many factors that influence this including exposure to the elements. One other factor is the quality of paint and prep work that went into the house for the previous paint job. Many builders use value-priced paint so many times we see new homes that need painting after just 3 or 4 years. In general, with our sun, heat, and humidity, 7-10 years is a good starting point.

Q: Are you insured?
A: Yes. We have $2 million in Liability and $1 million in Workers’ Compensation.

Q: What licenses do you have?
A: In Georgia, painters are not required to have a contractor’s license. We have our business license in good standing in Cherokee County.

Q: How many people do you send out for each job?
A: It depends on the project. Our typical crews are 3-4 painters, some of our crews are as big as 8. Small jobs may well see a single person if the job may be safely performed by 1 person.

Q: How will my project be managed?
A: The salesperson or production manager will meet with the customer and crew at the start of the job. After that, the Job Site Supervisor (JSS) will be the main point of contact. The JSS will provide daily updates and address any concerns. Any changes or questions will be dealt with by the JSS. At any point in the project, the customer may contact the salesperson or production manager.

Q: Is there a warranty?
A: Yes. We have a 2-year limited warranty.

Q: How long have you been in business?
A: CertaPro is a franchise business that was founded in 1992. This franchise has been in business for over 12 years.

Q: Can the painter work alone in my house?
A: Yes. Our painters can be trusted in your home. We ask that you be there to start the project and for a final “Pride Walk” with the crew to make sure the project meets your expectations. Should any touch-up work be noticed, it is much easier while the crew is there as their next job may be some distance away.

Q: How many paint colors are included in your typical response?
A: Our typical proposal includes up to 5 colors and sheens.

Paint FAQs

Q: What type of paint do you use?
A: Our largest supplier is by far Sherwin-Williams, but we will use PPG, Behr, Benjamin-Moore, Cabot, or others as needed. The specific paint line will be selected based on our understanding of your goals for the project.

Q: Do you have eco-friendly paint options?
A: We have many low and zero-VOC paints, particularly for interior work.

Q: Do you use any material aside from paint?
A: Yes, the other materials range from sandpaper and caulking to sheets of sheetrock or siding. We have expert carpenters that can do a wide variety of work prior to painting.

Q: Can you paint wood siding?
A: Yes. Painting the exterior of your home is an economical and necessary project to protect it from the elements. Rain, snow, and the sun can all severely damage your home in different ways.

Q: Can you paint vinyl siding?
A: Yes. Vinyl is considered maintenance-free that doesn’t usually require painting due to the color being mixed in with the material. However, vinyl siding can lose its luster over time, or you might want a facelift for your home.

Q: Can you paint aluminum siding?
A: Yes. Although a cheap and durable material, it is prone to dents and fast-fading paint. A quick coat of paint will keep your aluminum-clad home sparkling!

Q: Can you paint Hardie board siding?
A: Absolutely! Painting Hardie board is not only possible but it’s also recommended to extend its durability and keep your home looking fresh.