Frequently Asked Questions

CertaPro Painters® of Central Washington

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Frequently Asked Questions for Residential Painting Projects

We DO painting every day, but for our customers, we understand it may be something you only do every few years.  Our goal is to make the entire process as smooth and convenient as possible. We are happy to help answer any questions you have.  Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions.


Are you licensed and insured?

Yes, we carry General Liability, Commercial Auto and Workers Compensation Insurance. Copies of our insurance are available upon request.


Can you help me choose colors?

Yes, we can make certain recommendations based on trends we see, we can also make color samples available, and we can put you in touch with a color consultant that can offer additional help.


Will I receive a written quote?

Yes, CertaPro Painters will put every promise we make in writing, and will be reflected in your contract before we begin the project. We strive to provide all homeowners with a detailed estimate that is emailed to you while we are at the estimate, or at minimum the same day as the estimate.


I’m ready to hire CertaPro Painters, now what?

After you have made the decision to hire CertaPro Painters, we will ask you for a signature.  If you do not have email, no problem, we will make a printed copy available. Then we can discuss scheduling a start date for your project. We usually can start within 2 weeks or sooner. If you need help with color selections, now is the time to ask. We will need color selections prior to the day we begin the project.


How long will my painting project take?

At the time of our consultation and after putting together the proposal, we will have a very accurate duration for your project. Often, smaller projects are 2-3 days and larger projects are 5-7 days.


What hours do your painters work?

We can customize our hours to fit your preference. Usually, a paint crew’s schedule is 8:30-5:30p but can vary depending on weather, season or customer request.


Do I need to do any landscaping before the painters arrive?

We will let you know. Generally, we prefer plants/hedges trimmed about 8-12 inches away from home, but we will discuss specifics with you at the estimate. Every home is different. We want to make sure we have enough space to apply the paint properly.


Do I need to be home when the painters are working?

No, you do not need to be home if we are painting the exterior or the interior of the home. If we are painting inside your home, we will coordinate with you on how we can get the necessary access we need.


How will my project be managed?

Most of our paint crews consist of 2-3 painters including a Job Site Supervisor. The JSS will be onsite during your entire project and will communicate updates with you daily, be able to answer questions and make sure we are fulfilling all promises made in the contract. If you have any questions during your project, please contact any member of our team.


Do you subcontract out the work?

We have subcontractors working with us that have been painting hundreds of homes for CertaPro over several years. We work very closely with our subcontracted painting crews and have a very strong working relationship. Our Google reviews are indicative of that relationship and quality work.


What if I wish to add on additional work that was not originally included?

We are happy to include additional work while we are present. Many proposals have optional work items that customers decided to include later on and that is fine.


How are my pets cared for?

We love pets and want to make sure they are safe. During a painting project, we recommend that your pet stay away from the surfaces and paint buckets so that they are safe and your paint isn’t ruined.


Do I need to move my furniture?

We can help move furniture to the center room as necessary, but we do ask that any breakables be removed, any pictures/mirrors be removed from the wall, books removed from bookcases, clothes removed, etc. We cannot be responsible for any damage to personal belongings or furniture.  Also, we do not move pianos or grandfather clocks.


Are my floors protected?

We will cover all necessary floors prior to any painting.


Can I pay by credit card?

We do accept credit cards, please note that a 3% convenience fee does get added to the costs.


How long will my paint job last? How soon should I paint again?

Interior – An interior project really has a lot to do with the traffic that portion of the house receives. If it is a high-traffic area, it will need to be repainted more often than a room with no traffic.

Exterior – There are numerous factors that affect the life of exterior paint. Some factors include sun, weather, sprinklers, and the specific surface (stucco, vinyl, wood, etc.). Because each house is different, it is hard to put an exact time frame, but we do recommend that exterior paint should last between 8-15 years with the average being closer to ten years.


Does putting more coats of paint affect the longevity of my paint project?

The durability of a paint job is affected more by the quality of preparation than the number of coats of paint. New, raw surfaces usually receive a full prime coat prior to the finish coat(s) being applied. Additionally, dramatic color changes often require a full prime coat or second finish coat to cover the existing color.


How long does the new paint take to dry?

Typically you can expect the paint to be dry 2-4 hours after application but chemically it is continuing to cure for 24-72 hours.


Do need approval from my Homeowners Association before I can paint?

If you live in a neighborhood with covenance guidelines, we recommend reviewing those and get the proper approval necessary before starting your painting project. If your HOA requires samples, we are happy to get sample chips mailed out or provide a SherSpec document.


Will I save money if I buy the materials?

Not likely. Because of our high volume, we get major discounts with most paint manufacturers. If you want the best materials for the lowest price, let us get them for you.


Are more expensive paints better?

Usually yes, but not all projects need a more expensive paint. Please discuss with your sales consultant during your estimate and they will make the best recommendation and can give you a price option if you wish to upgrade your paint.


Which brands of paint are better?

There are many paint brands available and many are good. Locally, we prefer to stick with Sherwin Williams products primarily because they are local and they manufacture their own materials. If we have any concerns during a project, one of their representatives is quick to show up on-site and assist with paint troubles. Sherwin Williams also provides strong warranties that match our values.


Will CertaPro Painters leave me with Touchup Paint?

Yes! We will be happy to leave you with some leftover paint clearly labeled for future touchups. If you ever need to know the colors of your house, just let us know and we can look it up for you!


How can you help us?

We strive to provide a professional paint job at an affordable price. We take pride in our customer service before, during and after your project. We would ask that you refer us to any family, friends or neighbors who may be in need for our services. A review on any of the popular review sites (Yelp, Google, Home Advisor/Angi Leads) goes a long way in growing our business!