Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Welcome to our FAQ page! Here you will find the answers to our most frequently asked questions.

General

What type of paint do you use?
We use Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore.

Do you have eco-friendly paint options?
We use whatever the most logical paint is for the situation including both eco-friendly and low VOC paints

Do you use any materials aside from paint?
Aside from paint, we also use stains for a number of projects.

What is the average price for a 2,500 sq ft home?
Because we are detail-oriented, we prefer to see your home in person. This will allow us to assess the level of prep required, the type of paint that you currently have (i.e. builders grade or re-paint grade), take detailed measurements, determine whether or not your home is open concepts…amongst many other items that could impact the price.

Do you have a project minimum?
Yes, the minimum price for an interior is $550 + tax and for an exterior is $650 +tax

Does it cost more to remove popcorn ceilings when they have been painted?
Yes, when ceilings have been painted this typically seals the surface, therefore different tools and materials are required to transition the ceiling to a flat surface. *Note that the price for a higher ceiling will be more, due to safety factors.

When painting over builder’s grade paint is a primer necessary?

The Salesperson can evaluate the quality of the current paint during your estimate appointment.

Do you paint kitchen cabinets and how long does it take?
Yes, we paint the doors, drawers, and exteriors of the boxes. The average kitchen transformation project takes about five days.

How long does it take to paint a home?
This depends on a number of factors: the number of painters assigned, the colour chosen vs. what you currently have, the complexity of the project and weather (for exteriors), the square footage/size of the room, the amount of prep work involved, and if you are painting the ceiling and trim or just the walls. However, our rule of thumb is that 1 professional painter can paint roughly the equivalent of $700 per day in a price to a customer.

Is there anything the homeowner should do to prep for your crew to arrive?
Preparation depends on the type of work being performed. Our proposals explicitly detail what up-front work is required for each customer. The preparation required is different for interior projects vs exterior projects and catered to each specific job.

Do you clean after the project is complete?
Our Supervisors will use drop cloths to protect your floors and remove them when finished. We will remove our supplies and sweep and/or vacuum up any debris. Depending on the project, we sometimes recommend you hire a professional cleaning company to clean your home and/or HVAC system.

When is the best time to paint?
Exteriors should be painted when the daytime temperatures are consistently over 10 degrees celsius and nighttime temperatures are consistently over 5 degrees celsius. It is also best to paint exteriors when we are not in the morning dew season or midge fly season (we live by a great lake!). The best time to paint an interior is when the house is empty (I.E. in a bridge of period between a move.)

How often should people paint their homes?
The average residential homeowner paints their exterior every 5-7 years and this should be the maximum time limit in order to properly maintain the various substrates. Interiors are generally painted when people move into their homes; when they are listing their homes for sale; as colour trends change; when children are born or are moving out; during a renovation; to get ready for special visitors, etc…..

Is weather a factor in your area when it comes to wear and tear on exterior painting or the painting process in general? What specific weather conditions cause this?
In Canada, weather is definitely a factor on the longevity of exterior painting. The average residential homeowner paints their exterior every 5-7 years and this should be the maximum time limit in order to properly maintain the various substrates.

How many people do you send out for each job?
We assign the most appropriate job site supervisor to each job and jobs can have anywhere from 1 person on-site to 4, depending on the size of the job, complexity and deadline.

Do I need to be home while you paint?
We ask you to be available on the first day to review the details of the project, show the supervisor where they can set up a staging area, where the washrooms are, where they can access water to clean their tools, and answer any questions you may have. If you cannot be home every day, then you can arrange access methods directly with our supervisor. We also prefer you to be available on the last day for a final walk-through.

Can you help me choose a colour?
We can let you know what the most common current colours are. If you still require assistance and depending on the size of the project, we can introduce you to our preferred designer for colour assistance. Finally, our proposals always provide you with a link to a website that can assist with colour options. Check out our Colour Consulting page for more information

How many paint colours are included in your typical proposal?
Our proposals allow for 4 wall colours/sheens, 1 trim colour/sheen and 1 ceiling colour before any extra charges set in.

Can you match the current colour?
Probably – if you don’t have an old paint can, we may have to cut out a small portion of the drywall to take into the paint store to do a professional match. If it is an exterior, we may be able to take a piece of a downspout or shutter or something to the store to match.

Does your team consist of employees or subcontractors?
We have 2 owners, 1 salesperson, 1 part time office manager and a large team of painter subcontractors available to us.

How will my project be managed?
Customers meet with the salesperson and then when it has been booked, the job is handed over to one of the owners to schedule the production. Then most projects are started off with the salesperson meeting with the job site supervisor at the job or with a call between the salesperson and the job site supervisor once the job is moving along, the salesperson and/or one of the owners will check in with the job site supervisor on any job that is longer than 2 days.

How do I get an estimate for painting my home?
We offer FREE in-home painting estimates. Call us or schedule your free estimate online.

Is there anything that can change the cost of a project after a customer receives a quote?
Yes, certain factors can affect the cost. These factors include, but are not limited to, an additional coat of paint, for better coverage (although this is detailed in a clause), or if we find out that something has been previously painted with oil paint and we were not aware up-front.

Is there a warranty?
We have a contractual 2 year warranty on most of our work.

Are you insured?
We have general liability insurance in order to be able to paint commercial projects. We also have WSIB.

What licenses do you have?
While we are not required to have a licence to paint, we do have a business license from the Ontario government and commercial licence to operate from CertaPro painters corporate. We are also encouraging the Ontario government to apply a provincial license to the painting profession….Just like electricians and plumbers.

How long have you been in business?
Certapro painters has been in business for 28 years and after over 25 years in the corporate accounting and finance world, we purchased the business in 2013.

Service

What commercial properties do you work on?
We are open to work on all commercial projects, however recent examples include: office interior, retail interiors, retirement and long term care facilities, funeral homes, warehouses, underground parking garages, golf courses, new construction and most exteriors.

What’s your most popular service?
Our projects are split 50/50 between residential and commercial properties. Of those projects 75% of them have been on interior services.

Is there anything unique about the area you work in, i.e., all of the homes are a particular style?
Yes, we have painted the exteriors of many of the heritage homes here in Oakville and Burlington.

Community

Do you sponsor any local businesses/teams in your area?
Yes! We sponsor the Burlington soccer club, Bayhawks provincial elite U17 women’s soccer team.

Do you participate in any 5ks or other community events?
Yes! We have participated in the Burlington 5k Santa Run and the Tim Hortons 5K kids camp day run. We have donated to Fab Hamilton (fit, active, beautiful) and, we have been featured on the Marilyn Denis TV show several times.

Do you offer any specials or discounts for groups like veterans, seniors, etc.?
We have an ongoing discount for Alumni of Wilfrid Laurier University and Sheridan College (Mark’s an alumni of both). We also have an ongoing discount for local businesses who are members of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce.

Is there anything that can change the cost of a project after a customer receives a quote?
Yes, certain factors can affect the cost. These factors include, but are not limited to, an additional coat of paint, for better coverage (although this is detailed in a clause), or if we find out that something has been previously painted with oil paint and we were not aware up-front.