Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions for Residential Painting Projects

We DO painting every day, but for our customers, we understand it may be something you only do every few years.  Our goal is to make the entire process as smooth and convenient as possible. We are happy to help answer any questions you have.  Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes, our California Contractor License number is 1011550. We carry General Liability, Commercial Auto and Workers Compensation Insurance. The first two are not required, however, a minimum $1 million Workers Compensation Policy is mandated by California State Law. You should always ask contractors to see their current certificate of insurance to verify they carry Workers Compensation Insurance. Remember, in California, anyone who contracts to perform work on a project that is valued at $500 or more for combined labor and materials costs must hold a current, valid license from CSLB. You can always verify if a contractor has a valid license and carries valid workers compensation insurance via the Cal State License Board website located here:

https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/checklicense.aspx

Can you help me choose colors?

Yes, we can make certain recommendations based on trends we see, we can also make color samples available, and we can put you in touch with a color consultant that can offer additional help.

Will I receive a written quote?

Yes, CertaPro Painters will put every promise we make in writing and will be reflected in your contract before we begin the project. We strive to provide all homeowners with a detailed estimate that is emailed to you while we are at the estimate, or at minimum the same day as the estimate.

I’m ready to hire CertaPro Painters, now what?

After you have made the decision to hire CertaPro Painters, we will ask you for a signature.  If you do not have email, no problem, we will make a printed copy available. Then we can discuss scheduling a start date for your project. We usually can start within 2 weeks or sooner. If you need help with color selections, now is the time to ask. We will need color selections prior to the day we begin the project.

How long will my paint project take?

The duration of the project varies based on the complete scope of work, level of preparation, crew size assigned to the project, and weather (yes, even in California). Your sales consultant can give you a pretty good idea when we complete the estimate. We strive to complete most projects within a 5 day or less timeframe, as we know customers prefer not to go over a weekend.

What hours do your painters work?

What time would you like us to start? Our painters normally will arrive between 7:30am-8:30am each day and typically leave around 4:00pm – 4:30pm, but we always try to accommodate the customer needs.  Crews typically do not work on the weekends (We encourage them to have time with their families!).

Do I need to do any landscaping before the painters arrive?

We will let you know. Generally, we prefer plants/hedges trimmed about 8-12 inches away from home, but we will discuss specifics with you at the estimate. Every home is different. We want to make sure we have enough space to apply the paint properly.

Do I need to be home when painters are working?

No, you do not need to be home if we are painting the exterior or the interior of the home. If we are painting inside your home, we will coordinate with you on how we can get the necessary access we need.

How will my project be managed?

Most of our paint crews consist of 2-3 painters including a Job Site Supervisor. The JSS will be onsite during your entire project and will communicate updates with you daily, be able to answer questions, and make sure we are fulfilling all promises made in the contract. If you have any questions during your project, please contact any member of our team.

Do you sub-contract out the work?

No, all our painters and crews are employees of CertaPro Painters of Thousand Oaks. They all have a legal right to work in the US and are paid through payroll with proper taxes withheld. We do not subcontract out any painting project.

What if I wish to add on additional work that was not originally included?

If you decide to add on any additional work, please let your Job Site Supervisor or your Sales consultant know, and we will get you a price for the “change order” as soon as possible. We will confirm scope, terms and price via email.

How are my pets cared for?

We know how important your fuzzy family members are to you and we want to make sure they are taken care of. If dogs are friendly, they are welcome to play with us while we are painting, but please advise us of any gates, fences that need to be locked up, so nobody makes a “break for it”. If dogs are not fond of strangers in the home, we do recommend boarding them or locking them up somewhere.

Do I need to move my furniture?

We can help move furniture to center room as necessary, but we do ask that any breakables be removed, any pictures/mirrors be removed from the wall, books removed from bookcases, clothes removed, etc. We cannot be responsible for any damage to personal belongings or furniture.  Also, we do not move pianos or grandfather clocks.

Are my floors protected?

We will cover all necessary floors prior to any painting.

Can I pay by credit card?

Yes, but total amount is subject to a 3% processing fee. If paying by check, please make payable to “CertaPro Painters of Thousand Oaks”.

How long will my paint job last? How soon should I paint again?

Interior – An interior project really has a lot to do with the traffic that portion of the house receives. If it is a high traffic area, it will need to be repainted more often than a room with no traffic.

Exterior – There are numerous factors that affect the life of exterior paint. Some factors include sun, weather, sprinklers, the specific surface (stucco, vinyl, wood, etc.). Because each house is different, it is hard to put an exact time frame, but we do recommend that exterior paint should last between 8-15 years with average being closer to ten years.

Does putting more coats of paint affect longevity of my paint project?

The durability of a paint job is affected more by the quality of preparation than the number of coats of paint. New, raw surfaces usually receive a full prime coat prior to the finish coat(s) being applied. Additionally, dramatic color changes often require a full prime coat or second finish coat to cover existing color.

How long does the new paint take to dry?

Most latex paints set between 30-60 minutes to dry to the touch but cure over several days. Some specialty paints may take as long as 30 days to fully cure. We do recommend, opening and closing newly painted windows and doors often during this time period to prevent any “sticking”.

Do need approval from my Homeowners Association before I can paint?

This depends on your HOA, but usually the answer is yes. Please make sure you are picking an approved color scheme and get the necessary approvals. If you are unsure, we may be able to help you track down approved colors.

Will I save money if I buy the materials?

Not likely. Because of our high volume, we get major discounts with most paint manufacturers. If you want the best materials for the lowest price, let us get them for you.

Are more expensive paints better?

Usually yes, but not all projects need a more expensive paint. Please discuss with your sales consultant during your estimate and they will make the best recommendation and can give you a price option if you wish to upgrade your paint.

Which brands of paint are better?

We primarily use paints from Sherwin Williams, Dunn Edwards and Catalina Paints locally, and each company makes good quality products. Certain products may be better for specific surfaces, conditions, etc.

Will CertaPro Painters leave me with Touchup Paint?

Yes! We will be happy to leave you with some leftover paint clearly labeled for future touchups. If you ever need to know the colors on your house, just let us know and we can look it up for you!

How can you help us?

We strive to provide a professional paint job at an affordable price. We take pride in our customer service before, during and after your project. We would ask that you refer us to any family, friends or neighbors who may be in need for our services. A review on any of the popular review sites (Yelp, Google, Home Advisor/Angi Leads) goes a long way in growing our business!