Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find Frequently Asked Questions and Our Answers

How long should the new paint job last?

Exterior coatings in Georgia will typically last between 5-20 years depending on factors, such as; the type of substrate & current state of the substrate. If the exterior of your home has been damaged by storms, and/or has been the victim of an abundance of severe weather over time, it will have a significantly shorter lifespan. Some colors are just more prone to fading.
Other factors also can affect the longevity of your home’s exterior surface, Such as:
quality of the materials (primer, caulking, paint, etc.)
the amount of sun exposure, the light reflective value
how much sunlight does the paint absorb versus reflect several other factors.
Interior coatings are less exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures, and typically last as long as they are still visually appealing to you, in terms of color, sheen, and physical damage.

How long does it take the new paint to dry?

Most of the paints we use will dry to the touch within 2-4 hours of when we apply the coating, and they will cure within 2-4 days of when they are applied. It will take longer if temperatures are cooler.

How long does it take the new paint to dry?

Most of the paints we use will dry to the touch within 2-4 hours of when we apply the coating, and they will cure within 2-4 days of when they are applied.

How many coats of paint are appropriate for my project?

A minimum of two coats is required when changing color or sheen. Drastic color changes can require additional coats. If color and sheen will match the existing color and sheen, then one coat is typically enough.

What is elastomeric paint?

An elastomeric coating is a specially designed coating that is applied very thick and will have significant stretch capabilities (i.e. it is elastic) when the coating has dried. These coatings are generally used for stucco and masonry to provide a watertight coating that can expand and contract along with the substrate.

Is there anything I can do to increase the longevity of my new paint job?

-Ensure the proper surface preparation takes place
-Replace damaged boards
-Ensure the proper primer is used where necessary
-Ensure high-quality materials are used
-Pressure wash regularly and monitor for signs of rot

Will I save money if I buy the materials?

CertaPro Painters is one of the largest consumers of paint in this part of the country. This allows us to negotiate very competitive prices with top paint suppliers. This also allows us to pass this discount onto our customers. Paint is literally in our name.

Is there a difference between hand-brushed and sprayed paint?

There is a difference. But there are more important factors that will influence the success or failure of your painting project.
The most important thing is that we ensure each surface gets the appropriate amount of paint applied, and that the paint gets pushed into all of the cracks and crevices of the surface we are painting.
The main difference between spray vs roll paint is in the efficiency of the team applying the product. And, as mentioned above, how the surface has been prepared prior to painting.

What does VOC mean?

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. Colorado has the strictest regulations when it comes to VOCs in coatings. Most of the products we use will be Zero-VOC, and all of our products we use are Low-VOC & well under any dangerous levels.

Are more expensive paints better?

Not always. The key is to get the most bang for your buck. If your paint lasts 20 years, but your exterior caulking fails in 12, you’re going to be repainting no matter which paint you purchase.
CertaPro’s goal is to have expert knowledge on paint and surfaces. To put together the big-picture lifespan of your paint job in a way that matches up with your goals & needs and doesn’t break the bank.

How is the crew going to reach the difficult areas of my project?

We are very experienced in reaching different areas of the home. We would be happy to discuss these concerning areas in detail when we arrive at your home for the estimate.

Which is better – oil paint or latex paint?

There are very few applications for oil based paint on residential paint projects. Most good quality acrylic paints perform on-par or better than their old oil-based counterparts.

How is interior access to my home handled?

We can coordinate access based around your schedule & preferences. We can discuss your individual preferences & situations for the execution of your project during our estimate meeting. Then prior to beginning your paint job, we meet with the paint crew to share all the information with them.

Is there lead paint on my house, and if so, how is it handled?

If your house was built before 1978, we must test for lead paint. As an EPA certified lead renovator, we know how to protect you and our team during the project.

I’m not sure what colors I want to use. What help can CertaPro Painters give me?

First, when we arrive for your estimate we will be glad to give you access to our color deck; we also have a binder of larger samples of the most popular Sherwin-Williams colors.
This can save you a lot of time versus going to the paint store and hauling 120 paint chips back to the house.
Instead, you can play with colors while we take measurements and pictures around the home, and this should give you a great starting point for selecting colors. If you are struggling to decide on colors, we provide access to a free color consultation for projects over $2500.

What if I am already working with a color consultant?

If you already have a color consultant, great! We can work with colors from all different manufacturers and match them into our provider’s paint. Just let us know what direction you’re heading with colors so we can account for it accordingly in our proposal.

What if I am not happy with the colors once they are applied to the building?

We strongly recommend test patches prior to painting. Find an inconspicuous corner of the home to apply the different colors that you are considering. Look at them in different lighting conditions over the course of a few days.
Colors can look different in different lighting, and in large areas compared to the small chip from the store.
That being said, sometimes a homeowner can still change their mind. We will work with you to change the color at a reduced price.

Are there extra charges if I have more colors on my house?

More colors means more masking, more cut lines, more cleaning of brushes/rollers/sprayers, and more leftover paint. We will discuss the pricing differences based on the colors and color schemes you are considering.

Will CertaPro Painters leave me with touchup paint?

We will leave you all leftover tinted paint for touch ups when we finish the paint job. You will also have all of the color and product information. So you can go into your local paint store to have additional paint mixed, if needed.

A contractor comes to paint my house and his employee falls off a ladder and gets hurt. Who pays for his injuries?

We are covered with liability insurance and workers compensation insurance. You will not be liable for any accident that occurs while we are working on your property.

I was told by a contractor that he would have to charge a lot more if he purchased worker’s compensation. He has assured me that my homeowner’s insurance policy would cover me in the event of an accident. Is this true?

Workers compensation insurance is expensive, but the liability of injury is great. If your contractor does not have workers compensation insurance, then they are transferring the risk to you and/or your insurance provider.
Either way, you are the entity responsible for ensuring coverage. This would be a question to your insurance provider and/or a lawyer to understand the full extent of your liability in terms of coverage, deductibles, raised insurance rates, etc.

Who is exempt from workers compensation in Georgia?

Companies with three or more regular full-time or part-time employees are required to purchase workers’ comp insurance in GA. Owners and partners are excluded but may elect to be included.

How do I know for sure if a contractor carries worker’s compensation insurance?

Ask them to provide proof of insurance. Similar to the proof of insurance you carry in your car, the contractor should be able to provide proof of insurance for their business.

Do CertaPro Painters carry worker’s compensation and general liability insurance policies?

Yes, CertaPro Painters carries both workers compensation and general liability insurance.

I have just met with the estimator – now what?

We provide most quotes on the spot and email them directly after the estimate. If we cannot provide the estimate on the spot, we will explain the timeline for receiving the quote. Please let us know if you don’t receive the quote in the expected timeframe! We would love to earn your business. Let us know if you have any questions or updates needed to your proposal.

I have reviewed the proposal and would like to proceed – what do I do next?

Thanks for choosing us as your contractor! We are excited to partner with you on your project. Call/text/email your estimator directly or call our office and we will work with you on the next steps.

What experience and background do the foremen and painters have?

We thoroughly vet our paint teams and work with the top painters in the market. Their experience varies from crew to crew, but rest assured we will ensure they have all the necessary skills and quality to provide a top-quality paint job for your needs.

How do I address any concerns I may have throughout the project?

We want to ensure you have a top-notch customer service experience. If you have any question, concern, or hesitation before, during, or after your project please let us know immediately and we will work with you to resolve it quickly. We have a highly experienced, friendly, and quick staff who are all heavily invested in making sure you are 100% satisfied with your painting project.

How long will the project take?

We are very quick, and we are extremely dedicated to making sure we finish your project 100% before we move on to our next project. The answer to this question will be heavily dependent on the scope of work you are asking us to complete. Our average residential job takes between 2-4 days to complete, but of course this only an average and can range up or down depending on how much work and the type of work we are doing at your home. Ask your estimator about the expected duration at the estimate and the will usually be able to provide you with a range when they have completed their measurements.

I plan on being out of town during the part or all of the project – is this okay?

On most projects, we prefer to perform the work when the homeowner will be around at least once per day. If it is possible to schedule the job accordingly, this would be our preference. We understand that this is not always possible, so if it is necessary we will work with you on the details on a case-by-case basis.

What about inclement weather?

We live in Georgia, so we are no strangers to inclement weather. Exterior projects will be more dependent on weather than interior projects. We are committed to performing our work responsibly, which means applying your paint when the weather will be appropriate for it to dry and cure correctly. This also means being responsible with the safety of our painters in terms of driving conditions to and from the jobsite, and conditions on the jobsite. We will partner and communicate with you to deal with weather as it comes up and appreciate your understanding in things that are out of our control.

How is payment handled?

For residential work, we take 100% payment on completion of the job. The preferred method of payment is personal check; however, we can accept most types of payment. Let us know how you plan to pay so we can discuss the details accordingly. We also offer payment plan options: please ask us if you are interested in this option!

Does the crew expect a tip at the end of the job?

While it’s not expected or required, our painters take a lot of pride in their work. If they’ve done an exceptional job on your home, showing your appreciation by buying them a meal or leaving them a tip will always brighten their day!

I’m concerned about water leaks into the house. Will painting solve these issues?

It is important to understand the root cause of all leaks prior to determining the appropriate resolution. Paint is NOT likely to resolve any leakage issues. Some minor leakage near windows and doors might be resolved by sealing the edges with caulking.

What if dry rot or other carpentry issues are discovered during the painting process?

We can identify a lot of this during the estimation process, but sometimes these issues are concealed out of sight or are high above the ground, and sometimes they are not easily visible but are discovered during the surface preparation. We want to make sure you get a coating that lasts, so if we find anything unexpected during the painting process we will let you know and provide you with the available options and associated costs. We will never proceed with additional costs without gaining consent from your first.