Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions About Paint and Preparation

Should I choose oil paint or latex paint?

Oil-based paint has historically been viewed as a superior option to water-based paints. More recently, the government has legislated on the use of chemicals in oil paints that make it durable. At the same time, technological advances in acrylic resin has improved significantly.

What types of preparation need to be done to my house?

Every painting project we take on has different requirements when it comes to preparation. At your estimate appointment, it’s important to let your representative know what you are hoping for in the finished project. That may help determine the preparation needed to accomplish the goal. Every job is tailored to the individual wants and needs of the interior or exterior. Preparation can include:

• Washing – new coatings of paint need a clean, dry and firm substrate to properly adhere to.
• Scraping – loose and peeling paint needs to be scraped off with knives or steel brushes to leave a firm edge.
• Sanding – While sanding is a beautification process and does not add longevity to the paint job, it does create a good surface to add the paint to. Discuss your finished project wants to determine if sanding is necessary, especially in highly visible areas.
• Caulking and Sealing– any gaps, cracks, and crevices need to be sealed and caulked. Different substrates require different caulks and sealers, and we will use the correct product for each specific circumstance.

What prep do I need to do?

For Interior projects we will typically ask the customer to take items off the walls and remove items from inside furniture (like books from a bookshelf).

For an exterior project we will ask the customer to trim the plants back from the house.

Can you fill cracks and holes?

Yes. On an interior project we can fill a crack by simply putting a product like spackle or drywall mud before priming and painting the surface. We can also apply Drywall Tape to a crack so that the surface will last longer before the crack reappears. Although there are never any guarantees on how long the surface will last without the crack reappearing, our Sales Associate can explain your different options to help you make an informed decision.

Does all the old paint on my house need to be removed before it can be repainted?

Not always. Old paint that is peeling, cracking or degraded should be removed to allow the new paint to lay nicely on the surface. If you have old paint you would like removed, please bring it up to your estimator. This is an option that can be priced separately into your proposal. Typically, this is a restoration service and can get quite expensive.

Can the crews move furniture?

Yes, we will typically move all of the furniture inside the home as part of our normal preparation. There are some instances where moving large furniture might not be an option. Our Sales Associate will help you make that determination.

What is a ‘paint system’ and which is appropriate for my project?

A paint system is made up of sealers, primers and paints that are create to work together for various substrates to produce a durable and beautiful finish. When you receive your proposal, it will have the paint system listed that the estimator deems appropriate for your project.

What is the purpose of primer and when it is needed?

Primers are specifically create coatings used to prepare different substrates to accept top coats of paint. These coatings answer specific challenges painters face. These can include sealing out moisture, resisting bleeding of stains and chemicals from inside the substrate, and locking down chalky surfaces.

Typically, substrates that have paint on them, in good condition usually do not need a full prime coat. Instead, our crews may spot prime areas where the surface is bare or preparation tasks have been performed. On the other hand, big color changes may require a primer coat to help the new color show through. This will help the finishing coats be vibrant and beautiful.

What’s the difference between spot prime or full prime?

If you are getting a painting bid to paint the exterior of your home, you will likely get your bid in one of three different ways.

Spot priming the areas that need to be primed and one coat of paint. If a painter tells you they can paint your exterior for a lower price if you paint the house the same color, that means they will likely spot prime it and only apply one coat.

Spot priming the areas that need to be primed and applying two coats of paints is probably the most common way you will get an exterior bid. This option is fine for stucco homes or homes that don’t need a lot of prep.

At CertaPro we like to fully prime the home with a tinted primer and apply a full coat of paint. This option eliminates the guessing game on which areas need to be primed by just priming the whole house and reducing the likelihood of having adhesion issues in the future.

Caulking – why does my wood siding peel after being painted?

The main reason horizontal and vertical siding to less of an extent will peel is because the siding was caulked in by a painter in the past. Caulking the siding does two things.

1. The wood will expand and contract during the seasons. This movement will tear the paint away from the edges and the broken caulking creates a dam. Water then gets behind the old paint and siding.

2. The other issue that is created by caulked siding is the moisture that will inevitably get into the wood siding will start evaporating. This evaporated moisture will create bubbles and peeling paint since that evaporated moisture will want to escape the wood.

Unfortunately, once the wood siding is caulked in, maintaining this problem doesn’t have an easy solution. You can live with the fact that the wood siding is caulked in and know that you will have a shorter life out of your paint job. You can remove the caulking from the siding, but this is slow and labor intensive. The best long term solution is to change out the siding and put new siding.

How many coats of paint are appropriate for my project?

Depending on the project, location and durability desired, the number of coats necessary can change. Most of the time, CertaPro Painters will apply 2 coats of paint on previously painted surfaces. New, raw, damaged or big color changes on projects may also require primer before the finish coats.

Sometimes, if your project is remaining a similar color and the paint is currently in good condition, a single coat of matching color and sheen may work. You will need to discuss this with your estimator.

What is elastomeric paint and what’s it for? Is there a time not to use it?

Elastomeric paint is a special coating designed for stucco and masonry surfaces that helps with water intrusion and moisture. This sometimes requires a special primer and two complete finish coats. This creates a thick film between the building and the external environment. This coating has an elastic nature that helps it to seal underlying cracks in stucco and masonry. Because of these added benefits, the costs for elastomeric paint are much higher than for latex paint.

Do not use elastomeric paint if water can get behind the paint from areas like the roof or windows or on wood siding. Wood siding needs to breath and elastomeric paint is made to prevent that.

How long does it take the new paint to dry?

Paint will typically dry to the touch in about 30 – 60 mins. Most of the paints that we use are Low VOC or Zero VOC, so you will be able to sleep in a painted room immediately.

How safe is the paint for my family, I have small children.

We use a low VOC product for all interiors. Low or Zero VOC / some use oil based cover stain depending on what’s being painted. Most paints are mostly Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or Zero VOC, so the paints are very safe. We like to use Dunn Edwards Everest interior paint that is not only an Ultra Premium Paint but it is also a Zero VOC paint.

How long should the new paint job last?

How long paint lasts will depend on many factors like quality of preparation, surface and exterior precipitation. Usually, cedar siding and trim often require painting every 6 years, while surfaces like fiber-cement and brick can remain good for ten or more years. Other aspects that will affect the longevity include the age, and condition of the substrates, their exposure to the elements, and how protected the area is by other near-by structures.

Most often it is not the top coats of paint that fail, but the bottom coats that fail because they are the oldest coats on the house their resins simply degrade. When this happens the top coats don’t have anything solid to adhere to, and thus begin to peel and crack.

Do you offer a warranty?

We offer a 2 year written warranty. Other contractors might offer “hand shake” warranty that are longer, but might not actually deliver on their promise when it comes time to honor the warranty.

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

There are a few things that can be done to extend the life of your paint. Opt for higher quality paints and materials for your project. Maintain the paint by power washing your exterior every few years. Consult your estimator about any preparation that can help your paint last longer.

Will I save money if I buy the materials?

It’s not likely. Due to relationships and volume, we get better discounts than most employees of the paint manufacturers. Letting us work with our providers will ensure you get the best price.

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

Yes, there is a difference between hand-brushed and sprayed applications of paint. Both are acceptable methods to get the proper spread rate of your paint. Spraying offers a smoother appearance, while hand brushing gives the painter more control.

What does VOC mean?

VOC stands for “volatile organic compound” and refers to the chemicals that cause smells during the drying process. These fumes can be toxic and have a bad odor, so the government has limited the sorts of VOC that can be used in paints, as well as limited the amounts that can be used. Some examples are paint thinner, mineral spirits, alcohol, gasoline, ethylene glycol, acetone and xylol. Most architectural paints contain some VOCs.

Are more expensive paints better?

For the most part, you get what you pay for. The more expensive paints contain more durable pigments and resins. The resins and binders give you the quality of finish. The way the product is produced can also impact the quality. Better pigments mean less coats of paint. If you really want to save money, try spending a little more on quality materials.

There are times where the most expensive paints may not be appropriate for your situation. For example, Sherwin Williams Duration is a super-premium paint that lasts a long time. However, it dries very tight and is not necessarily recommended for homes with lots of previous coats of paint because Duration may pull off the old coats. Again, working with CertaPro means that you will get the right paint specified and expertly applied by our experienced crews.

Questions About the Process and Our People

What’s Diamond Certified?

Diamond Certified is a vetting company that vets local contractors. In order to earn a Diamond Certification from Diamond Certified we must send them our list of customers every year and they will randomly call them. We need to get a 10 out of 10 rating with at least 90% of those customers. They also check to make sure our License, Liability Insurance, and Workers Compensation are all up to date. We have had a Diamond Certified Rating since 2005.

I have just met with the estimator – now what?

For most of our estimate appointments, our estimators will provide you with a digital proposal overview during the appointment time. Following the overview, you will receive a digital PDF copy as well. If you are ready, you will have the opportunity to schedule your project at that point. Don’t worry, you will not find our staff to be “salesy” or “pushy”. Once you are ready to move forward, call your estimator they will get your project scheduled and explain the next steps.

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

The best thing to do is to call or email your estimator who will discuss the next steps. These often start by getting a signed copy of the proposal, discussing where you stand in the color selection process, and what your scheduling preferences are. In the busy season (spring and summer) we’re 3 to 5 weeks out. However, we often can work with you if a certain deadline is coming up, just share this with your estimator.

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

Many questions or concerns can be addressed by the Job Site Supervisor. You will find our Job Site Supervisors to be friendly and accommodating regarding any questions or concerns that may arise. Additionally, they will want to give you periodic updates on the progress of the job. Also, all projects are assign to a Production Associate. Our Production Associates are staff members who work in coordination with our Job Site Supervisors, Estimators and clients to make sure all details are in order and projects are running smoothly. Your Production Associate will call you the week before your project starts to introduce themselves.

How long will the project take?

When we start a project, we stay until it is finished – our crews are not juggling a handful of projects concurrently, meaning that our goal is to minimize the disruption painting causes to your normal routine However, weather may play a role on how long it takes exterior projects to be completed. Your estimator will be able to give you a pretty good idea of how long your specific project will take. An average exterior or interior will take us between 4-6 days to complete. It all depends on the size of the project and the number of Crew Members we put on your job. We have crews that range between 2-5 painters.

How quickly can you start?

We are a seasonal business, but we are typically booked out between 1-3 weeks. Don’t be discouraged if you want your project to start sooner. Many times we get cancellations or jobs that want to start later, so we may be able to accommodate you sooner.

How many crews do you have?

We have 14 crews that work for us. There are between 2-5 members per crew.

What time do the crews start, hours they work?

We have 14 crews that work for us. There are between 2-5 members per crew.

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

We like to do a walk through on the first and last day of the project. On the first day we confirm the details of the project. On the last day we make sure the job was done to your satisfaction. It’s up to you (the customer) if you want to be present throughout the project. We can work around you and your schedule whether we are doing the interior or exterior of your home or place of business.

What about inclement weather?

On exterior projects, there are a number of tasks that can be performed in light rain or fog, such as power washing and scraping. However, we cannot apply sealants, primer or paint in wet weather. In these instances we must wait for the home to dry out.

As a rule of thumb, if the streets are dry the house is dry enough to paint. In many instances the structure will take a little longer to fully dry. Rest assured that we will wait the proper amount of time to ensure the coatings we apply leave you with a quality finish – that is our primary goal.

How is payment handled?

On most residential projects we do not require any payment until the project is completed. Once completed, the balance is due in full.

We prefer payment by check. However, we accept major credit cards (MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Discover) with a 2% service fee that will be added to your bill to offset the charges the credit card merchants charge us.

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

Our crews are professional painters and are compensated accordingly. They do not expect a tip and will not solicit one. Occasionally customers want to thank the Job Site Supervisor or the entire crew for going ‘above and beyond.’ Feel free to tip if you are delighted with the quality of the work and the customer service you received, but certainly do not feel obligated or that it is expected.

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

Water intrusion can occur for many reasons: poor draining from gutters, rusted or damaged window and roof flashing, rotted siding or trim work, or damaged roofing, to name just a few. Moreover, it is difficult to determine the exact point of water entry because water often “runs” once it enters the structure, meaning that it may come in at one point, travel along an interior joist or support beam, and come through drywall or plaster in an area far from the point of entry.

The caulking and sealing that are part of the normal preparation process of painting often solve leaking problems. However, if the root of the leaking problem is from some other source (for example, a damaged roof or gutters) the painting process probably will not solve the problem.

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

We regularly perform basic carpentry repairs that are commonly found as part of exterior painting projects – removing and replacing rotten trim, soffit, siding boards, etc. However, while we are very good at BASIC carpentry repairs, we stay away from repairs that require advanced skill, such as hanging doors, replacing wood that involves touching roofing/plumbing/electricity, etc. For example, we do not replace wood that requires the removal of window flashing or messing with an exterior hose bib.