Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions About Paint and Preparation

Which is better – oil paint or latex paint?

Traditionally, oil paint has been viewed as a superior option to water based paint options. More recently, the government has installed legislation to regulate the chemicals contained within. Because of these changes, in addition to technological advances in water-based paint, acrylic resin latex paints have become the more recommended formula for painting.

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

Each project and customer is different. Because of this, preparation will be determined with your input when your estimate provider. Every estimate is tailor-made for  the project. Preparation can include the following services:

• Washing – applying new paint requires a clean, dry, and firm base to adhere to correctly.
• Scraping – loose and peeling paint needs to be removed by scrapers, knives, and/or steel brushes. A firm edge is necessary to produce a good painting project.
• Sanding – sanding is creates a pristine surface for paint. This is recommended in high-visibility areas and non-textured walls.
• Caulking and Sealing– gaps, cracks, and crevices in siding, and around doors and windows will be sealed and caulked.

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

Removing paint is typically not necessary. The only reason to consider removing paint prior to a new coating is if the paint is peeling or chipping. Degraded paint will need to be removed to create a clean and even. If you do wish to have specific areas of the building stripped of all old paint, please discuss this with your estimator – this can usually be priced as an option, although this type of “restoration” can be rather expensive

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

A paint system is a combination of sealers, primers and paints that are created to work together for the specified substrates. Your estimator will provide you with the recommended paint system that will produce a durable and beautiful finish.

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

Primers are specifically designed to prepare substrates to accept top coats of paint. Primer is recommended for situations when there is moisture, chalking, bleeding stains or other potential issues. If repairs were made, likely a spot priming will suffice. If an extreme color change is planned it is often helpful to have a tinted prime coat applied which helps the finish coats cover better.

How many coats of paint are appropriate for my project?

More importantly than the coatings is the quality of preparation before painting. In most cases, CertaPro Painters specifies two coats of paint for previously painted surfaces. New surfaces or dramatic color changes require a primer coat to achieve best results. Under particular circumstances, a single coating can work. This is specific to good condition, matching color and sheen on the walls.

What is elastomeric paint?

Elastomeric paint is a specialty coating designed for stucco and masonry surfaces where water intrusion has been an ongoing problem. These projects require special primer, two coats of finish and ample dry time. The costs for elastomeric paint are much higher than for latex paint because of it’s specialty uses.

How long does it take the new paint to dry?

Most latex paints set up in 30-120 minutes, a full cure can take as long as 30 days. It’s important to keep heavy furniture off of floor painting, and open and close doors and windows to avoid sticking.

How long should the new paint job last?

Quality of preparation directly impacts the longevity of a paint job. Trim and cedar siding require the most often painting, about every 6 years. Substrates like fiber-cement or stucco last longer, closer to a decade. There are quite a few mitigating factors like the age, and condition of the substrates, their exposure to the elements, and how protected a structure is by other near-by structures.

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

There are 3 things you can do to extend the life of your paint: use only the highest quality materials and paints; have your home power washed every few years; ensure the proper level of preparation is specified for you project.

Will I save money if I buy the materials?

It is unlikely you will save by purchasing materials yourself. We draw on quantity and professional relationships to ensure we get the highest quality products for the best prices.

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

Both spraying and brushing are great application methods so long as they are performed by a skilled applicator. Spraying provides a smoother appearance, and less chance for mildew to get into brush marks and grow. As long as the surface has been properly prepared, sprayed paint will adhere as well as if brushed.

What does VOC mean?

VOCs are “volatile organic compounds”. These are the chemicals that are off-gassed into the air as part of the drying process. Besides being smelly, these gases can be toxic. The government has limited what sorts of VOC can be used in paints, as well as limited the amounts that can be used.

Are more expensive paints better?

Generally speaking, yes. More expensive paints contain more durable pigments and resins. The resins along with the binders give you the quality of finish. In addition, better pigments mean less coats of paint. If you really want to save money, spend a little more on quality materials.

Questions About the Process and Our People

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.

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

We will work around your schedule as best as possible. Some customers allow us to work on the project while they are away, others do not. We will handle it however you wish, but request that you notify us as early as possible if you plan to be absent once the work begins.

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.