Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions About Paint and Preparation

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

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

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

The short answer is no, not always. However, old paint that has peeled, cracked, 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.

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 created 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 are that are in good condition 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.

Should I choose oil paint or latex paint?

It depends on what you are looking for. Oil-based paint has historically been viewed as a superior option to water-based paints. More recently, however, 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. Our painters can help you choose the best paint for you.

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?

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. The primer creates a thick film between the building and the external environment which 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.

How long does it take the new paint to dry?

For the most part, latex paints set up in 30-120 minutes, but may take as long as 30 days to fully cure. We recommend opening and closing newly painted windows and doors regularly during this period so that they do not stick.

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 10 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. Since 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 begin to peel and crack.

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, such as opting for higher quality paints and materials. 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. There are some options for organic paints with lower levels of VOCs available if you are interested.

Are more expensive paints better?

For the most part, yes, 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, when you work with CertaPro, you ensure that you get the right paint specified for your project and expertly applied by our experienced crews.

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.