Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find Frequently Asked Questions and Our Answers

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

A paint system is the entire coating system, including applicable primers, color coats, and top coats. The appropriate paint system varies greatly depending on what substrate/surface we are painting, what the desired outcome is, and a cost/benefit analysis for the options available. Your estimator can discuss recommendations for your particular scenario and the thought process behind it when they come to your home for the estimate.

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

Primer is formulated to create an adhesive bond with the substrate and “soak in” to the surface to create a uniform surface on which the top coat to be applied. Additionally, some primers can be used to inhibit stains or odors from coming through the paint surface. In many instances, previously coated surfaces both interior and exterior do not require a primer, as the adhesive bond has already been established with the existing coatings. In these scenarios “spot priming” areas that are concerning, such as bare wood/drywall or anywhere stains are a concern is the appropriate course of action.

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 long should the new paint job last?

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 long should the new paint job last?
Because interior coating does not see exposure to moisture and extreme temperatures, they will typically last as long as they are still visually appealing to you, in terms of color, sheen, and physical damage This can be many decades unless there is a lot of physical damage.
Exterior coatings in Michigan will typically last between 5-10 years depending on factors, such as; the type of substrate & current state of the substrate. Michigan’s climate is harsh for home exteriors with the changing seasons combined with moisture from snow and rain.
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.

Will I save money if I buy the materials?

Not likely. In fact, we get better discounts than the employees of most of the major paint manufacturers. If you want the best materials for the lowest price, then let us get them for you. If you have a specific budget in mind, we are happy to discuss what your options are in terms of paint/stain options to best fit your specific scenario. We don’t try to push every customer into using the same paint because each project is unique and may require different products.

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

Basically, both spraying and brushing are fine, as long as the paint is put on at the proper spread rate (sq. ft./gallon). In general, spraying will provide a smoother appearance. As long as the surface has been properly prepared, sprayed paint will adhere as well as if brushed. There are instances when certain substrates should be back-rolled or back-brushed if they are sprayed, and we review those during our estimate appointment with you.

What does VOC mean?

VOC refers to “volatile organic compound”; some examples are paint thinner, mineral spirits, alcohol, gasoline, ethylene glycol, acetone and xylol. VOCs are harmful to both people and the environment. Most architectural paints contain some VOCs. The EPA is limiting the level of VOCs in paints, because when they evaporate into the air when the paint dries, they can contribute to low-level smog generation.

Are more expensive paints better?

In general, yes. It is important to evaluate the condition, needs, and budget for each project though. More expensive paints typically contain more durable pigments and resins. The resins along with the 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.
Sometimes more expensive paint isn’t necessarily recommended. An example is Sherwin Williams Duration, which is a high grade premium paint that can last 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. It also has different “breathability” than other coatings that may not be appropriate for your property. Again, working with CertaPro means that you will get the right paint specified and expertly applied by our experienced crews.
If you really want to save money, spend a little more on the right quality materials after getting the expert opinion of a qualified, experienced professional. Pricing across paint brands varies, so the “most expensive” at one brand does not necessarily equate to the “most expensive” at another brand.

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.

How is interior access to my home handled?

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.

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 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?

Contractors such as builders, painters or other tradespeople who work on or around your home are required by law to provide worker’s compensation insurance and any injury would be covered under that policy. If the contractor does not have coverage or has discontinued his policy to save on premiums, you would be next in line to pay for a worker’s injuries and/or disabilities that occurred 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?

Absolutely not! Your homeowner’s insurance is not likely to offer ANY coverage in this event. It is more likely that your policy specifically excludes it. Alternatively, if your homeowner’s policy does cover it, your premiums are likely to be impacted by the claim. Contact your insurance agent for more information.

I was told by a contractor that he is not required to carry worker’s compensation insurance because he only has one employee. Is this true?

There are some cases where this may be true but ultimately you could be left with the bill for injuries that happen on your property. Protect yourself and your assets by only hiring contractors that are adequately insured.

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

Yes, and at your request we can provide insurance certificates that name you as the certificate holder.

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.

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 the Job Sites Supervisor know immediately or contact the Office and we will work with you to resolve it quickly.

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 and will work to accommodate your schedule.

What about 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 communicate with you when weather issues arise.

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 many of these concerns during the estimation process. Sometimes these issues are concealed, out of sight, or are high above the ground, and are not easily visible until discovered during the surface preparation. We want to make sure you get a coating that lasts, 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.