How to Decide Whether or Not to Hire Professional Painting Contractors to Paint Your Home

Planning to repaint the exterior
of your home yourself? Learn
how to do a professional job.

There are many factors to consider when trying to decide whether painting your own home can be a DIY project. Try this as an initial guideline: Straight exteriors on a simple, box-shaped house make for easier work. Irregularly shaped homes of two stories or more with dormers, gingerbread, or turrets, for example, tend to make for a more time-consuming and complicated project that may suggest a professional is needed.

Next, look at the grade (the finished surface slant of ground) around the house for ladder positioning. It’s a plus if all sides have flat ground up to the house. Walkouts with slopes make it difficult to safely position ladders. Also check to see if obstacles like trees, shrubs, decks, fences, vines, or electric wires will be in the way.

Additionally, examine your house for potential problems that may require extensive prep work. Wood rot, mildew, severe peeling, or alligatoring are typical siding problems. Cracked window panes, crumbling glaze, and loose caulking around trim are other issues. If you’re familiar with solving these problems, just be prepared that you might need a few extra days to remedy the situations. Talk with an experienced paint retailer about the problem for some potential solutions. Another option might be to consider hiring a pro to fix any extensive issues before you get started.

Finally, assess the list of materials you will need and estimate their cost and your labor:

• Lifts and Ladders. Do you need ladders, scaffolding, planks, or lifts? While a one-story home may only require a ladder, a multi-story house may need not only larger ladders but perhaps scaffolding and planks or a lift. While you may be able to rent needed equipment, consider if you will be comfortable working at heights.
• Prep materials. Preparing the house is the first step. Basic cleaning supplies include scrub brushes, pails, bleach for mildew, a cleaning agent such as TSP (trisodium phosphate), and a hose with spray nozzle. Tip: Consider power washers to clean exterior surfaces. Check into hand and eye protection for this equipment and follow the guidelines. Have drop cloths, rags, and masking tape for around critical areas such as windows. Use canvas drop cloths instead of plastic so the grass or flowers underneath are not cooked in the sun.
• Paint removers. If you have many areas of blistering or peeling paint, a good amount of scraping may be ahead. Carbide blade scrapers will be needed if a fair amount of scraping is involved. Also try using an old, dry paint brush to sweep dust away. Just be sure to use dust masks to protect your lungs. Chemical removers may be necessary if the paint has to be softened to be removed, as is the case with many older homes with coats of paint. After getting rid of the loose paint, sandpaper will feather the edges smooth.
• Caulking. This is a must to seal up cracks around windows and doors and to maintain flexibility and adhesion over many years. There are many types of caulks available. Discuss your project with your paint retailer. Before purchasing any caulk, check the manufacturer’s instructions for recommended surfaces. Make sure the caulk you have selected is paintable and remains flexible to expand and contract with your home. Caulks that are 100% silicone, for example, are not paintable.
• Paint applicators. Quality brushes are made for the latex, oil, or varnish paints you will apply. The brush hairs are typically of varying lengths and taper neatly. They have a ferrule, or band, that holds the bristles tightly to the handle. Quality brushes hold more paint, don’t lose bristles, paint more smoothly, and are easier to use than cheaper alternatives. Spray equipment is a possibility if the house has a lot of flat surfaces with few doors or windows. Remember that sprayers require extensive cleaning. Overspray can be a problem, so everything needs to be covered well and you will need to get familiar with the use of a sprayer. Rollers also can be a time saver.
• Primer. You will need to prime any new, severely weathered, or problem areas to make sure there will be a proper seal of the surface and a smooth surface for the paint. A primer does not need to be used on a clean, dull, coated surface that is in good condition. Typically you will want to choose a primer geared specifically for your job. If your paint will be 100% acrylic latex, you will want to use a 100% acrylic resins primer. If there are problem areas, however, consult with your local paint retailer for the best choice.
• Paint. For most jobs, you will want 100% acrylic latex paint. A quality acrylic paint adheres best and holds its color much better than less expensive paints. If doing it yourself, consult a knowledgeable retailer to get the right products for the project.

-------------------------------

READ MORE >> BobVila.com: "Painting the House: Should You Hire a Pro?"

-------------------------

Contact us today to set up an appointment!

• FREE House Painting Estimate from A. L. Painting Co. 
• Atlanta Better Business Bureau Member Since 2001
• 3-Year No Fear! Warranty

Avoid a Huge Headache and Hire Professionals to Paint Your Home Exterior

Paint your home this Spring.

Preparing to paint the exterior of a home is a long and detailed process, involving many arduous steps starting with repairing and replacing any damaged surfaces, to looking for and patching all nail holes and cracks, to major sanding and scraping, caulking, epoxy fillers, and the correct primers, just to name a fraction of what is involved. Also, Removing or covering all light fixtures, plumbing outlets, electrical covers and house numbers, removing all screens, and using dropcloths are all necessary. There are many materials to purchase aside from the paint, and a lot of research must be done accurately.

This may be the most important painting (and preparation) you do and unless you have experience with painting you might want to consider leaving this for the pros, because if you make a mistake everybody will see it.

Paint and preparation vary with the type of surface: wood, stucco, metal, masonry. Check with your paint store to ensure you've got the right products. In addition, here are three final tips:

1. You can't paint vinyl or plastic. If there's a problem with any of these surfaces, you'll probably have to replace them.
2. If the exterior was painted before the 1980s, you may be dealing with lead-based paint, which is extremely hazardous, especially for kids and pregnant women. Call the National Safety Council's Lead Information Center at (800) LEADFYI for instructions on how to deal with it safely.
3. If you're using anything other than water-based latex, never put paint-soaked or cleaner-soaked tools or rags in an enclosed area of any kind - even a trash can with a lid. This is a recipe for spontaneous combustion.

READ MORE>> eHow.com: How to Paint the Exterior of a House

-------------------------
Read more about A.L. Painting:

• Licensed and Insured
• Atlanta Better Business Bureau Member
• Interior and Exterior House Painting Coupons
• Drywall Patch Services + Professional House Prep
• 3-Year No Fear! Warranty

How to Hire a Painter in Four Easy Steps

Get the paint job you need
checked off your to-do list.

Have you been putting off getting your home professionally painted? Maybe this Spring is a good time to finally get it done...
and here are simple instructions:

1. Get Personal Referrals and References. Ask friends, neighbors and colleagues who have hired paint contractors in the past five years for referrals or recommendations based on their experiences. Online neighborhood groups can be a great way to do this efficiently. Once you have several referrals, call at least three paint contractors to get estimates.
   
2. Get Onsite House-painting Estimates. Ask your narrowed pool of potential painters for an estimate. Be wary of any who offer estimates without visiting your home -- an experienced contractor must take measurements of the project space and inspect potentially problematic surfaces before estimating how much paint, time and repair work are needed to do the job correctly. Walk through the project area or show the contractor every area that requires painting so he can give an accurate estimate.
   
3. Plan the Specifics of the Painting Job. Tell your potential painter as much as you can about your expectations ahead of time, including the color and sheen of the paint. Discuss the time frame for the entire project, as well as what hours and which days work will be done.
   
4. Write it Down in Contract Form. Once you've chosen a paint contractor, ask for a written contract spelling out everything you've agreed upon, including cost, time frame and cleanup details. Read the agreement carefully to make sure it covers all of your concerns, as well as how potential complaints, paint omissions or issues should be handled once the project is complete.

READ MORE>> eHow.com: How to Hire a Painter

--------------------------

A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.

• Interior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Exterior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Contact us today for a house painting quote! Call 770-806-2447 or online
• Check out our Atlanta House Painting Services coupons! 

How to Choose the Right Painting Contractor

You will be able to relax while a
team paints your home if you
have done "your homework."

Some pretty basic steps for choosing the right professional contractor to paint your home are of course to first ask around, maybe on a neighborhood website or local social media to save time, in order to get some names to start calling. Then it is pretty standard to narrow them down to three candidates and ask for some on-site estimates. And of course it's important to be very specific about work expectations and details before the job has begun and to finalize things in writing.

But what exactly do you say or look for in the interview and what exactly should be in the contract?

Here are some questions to ask during each interview:

• How long have you been in business?
• Do you have the proper/required licenses? (This varies by state, and some states may not require licensing.)
• Do you have insurance and bonding? (This helps determine whether your contractor and any hired workers are insured for injury and liability.)
• Are you a member of any national or local painting contractors' associations?
• Do you subcontract your work or perform it yourself?
• Can you provide references?
• Do you offer written guarantees of your work?
• What products do you use?

Behavior to notice when meeting each candidate:

• Does the contractor project a sense of professionalism and experience?
• Is the contractor courteous and business-like?
• Is the contractor busy? (Good ones usually are.)
• Does the contractor return phone calls and provide estimates in a timely manner?
• Is the contractor on time for appointments?

What exactly should be in the contract:

• What exactly is being painted (house, trim, walls, molding, etc.)
• Details on preparation and cleanup
• Paint colors for each area to be painted
• How the contractor will protect plants, patios, furniture, or other items
• How much time the project will take, from start to finish
• When and how the contractor will be paid

READ MORE>> benjaminmoore.com: How to Find and Hire the Right Painting Contractor

-------------------------
Contact us today to set up an appointment!

• FREE House Painting Estimate from A. L. Painting Co. 
• Atlanta Better Business Bureau Member Since 2001
• 3-Year No Fear! Warranty

Simple Expert Home Painting Tips

Paint some large-scale
swatches to help visualize
 your color decisions.

Color isn't easy!

To get the exact color you will end up being happy with, do your homework and test a series of 5-7 variations on the hue you choose by painting a swatch of each on the wall and live with it for a while.

 Also note any reflections from outside. For example, if you have a large tree in front of a window, you may get green reflecting in and that will affect the paint color on the wall.

For your interest, here are three quick expert tips to further guide you in having your home painted:

1. How to add color to a rental apartment with white walls or exposed brick?If you are living in a rental apartment or house, always speak with your landlord before making any design changes. Once you receive the blessing, go for it. If allowed, you can paint one wall, maybe it's the brick one, and it can serve as an accent in the room. Spend time in the room at all hours of the day to see when it gets light and where the light hits. This will determine which wall to paint and what color to choose (dark or light). Remember to note any color reflections.
   
2. How to pick a neutral color for a nursery when you don't know if the child is a boy or a girl?
   Classic yellows, bright and happy, and greens, fresh and clean, will always work. Pair them with a crisp white for a modern look or a creamy taupe for a more traditional feel. Don't be afraid of using gray, too, for a really contemporary take on a nursery. Brighten it up by combining it with yellow accents for a complimentary mix.
   
3. How to add color to the exterior of your house?
   You can be fairly liberal in painting doors and shutters, depending on the overall color of the house. Choose deep, rich, saturated hues here if you wish. Not willing to invest in a big paint job? Add color to the mailbox (or even the little flag) or paint house numbers on a planter in a great color that matches your home's exterior.

READ MORE >> homerenovations.about.com: Home Painting Tips

--------------------------
A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.

• Interior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Exterior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Contact us today for a house painting quote! Call 770-806-2447 or online
• Check out our Atlanta House Painting Services coupons! 

Living Room Paint Ideas

Make your room gorgeous!

Choosing a paint color will change the whole atmosphere of a room, therefore when picking a color start by deciding how you want the room to feel.

Take a look at this gallery for some wonderful color inspirations.

READ MORE >> FurnitureInteriorDesign.com: Paint Color Ideas for Living Room

--------------------------
A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.

• Interior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Exterior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Contact us today for a house painting quote! Call 770-806-2447 or online
• Check out our Atlanta House Painting Services coupons! 

Kitchen Painting Tips

Gather all the colors that appeal to
you and narrow down choices.

When a total renovation exceeds your budget, painting walls, moulding and even cabinetry can give your kitchen a face-lift, making it appear more spacious and fresh.

Color-challenged decorators needn't worry; simple tools can help you select timeless colors that complement your existing finishes for a universal appeal.

Finish is as important as color, so opt for easy-to-clean satin or eggshell paint.

• Planning for Resale?Avoid trend-setting colors that can make a home look dated when you try to sell it later (think: the avocado appliances from the '70s). Nature-inspired colors such as terra cotta and granite can add a color punch while maintaining a classic elegance that isn’t so strong or personal that it could turn off potential buyers. Softer tones in lighter colors create a more roomy feel and allow you to make a grand color statement with accessories and art. Choosing a lighter color gives you the option to save excess paint for quick touch-ups or to apply a fresh coat before showing your home to potential buyers.
  
• Choosing Colors for Mood:Color psychologists identify the influence of paint choice on our disposition, appetite and energy level. Strategically choose your kitchen colors to suit your personality and goals for the time you'll spend in the space. Orange hues stimulate appetite, which can help inspire pickier eaters at dinnertime. Those who find themselves drawn to the kitchen should consider painting it blue, which not only encourages relaxation, but can also decrease appetite. Red stimulates energy, and yellow lifts the mood, making either color an ideal choice to highlight a breakfast nook.

READ MORE >> homeguides.sfgate.com: Tips on Picking Paint Colors for a Kitchen

------------------------

When you choose A. L. Painting House Painting Services, you’ll see why we’ve grown to become a trusted name in the house painting contractor business.  

•    FREE House Painting Estimate from A. L. Painting Co.
•    Why Choose A. L. Painting Co.  To Paint Your Atlanta Home?
•    Check Out Our Favorite YouTube Videos
•    Visualize Your Rooms With Sherwin Williams "Visualizer"

The Necessity of Pressure Washing Before an Exterior Paint Job

Always clean brick
before painting!
This will make the paint job last.

Do you live in a brick home? Perhaps you like the look of painted brink and are looking to make the change either to update your home or simply to create the look that you want.

If this is the case, then you need to give serious consideration to pressure washing your home before painting it. 

Why is this so important? Read on to learn more.

The fact is that brick can grow mold and mildew over time. It also gets covered with dirt and grime. Finally, brick that is old may start to chip. One of the nice things about brick is that it can often hide such unpleasantries. Of course, if you can't see the debris or chipping, you may not think about how it will affect your paint job. After all, if you end up painting over dirt, mold, and chipped brick, you will definitely see your paint job lose its luster much faster.

Once you have painted your brick, you may notice the need to clean it more regularly. Unfortunately, if the brick wasn't cleaned prior to painting, pressure washing it later could take off the paint in places that were properly prepared. Even if you don't pressure wash the home, it still leaves the paint more likely to begin peeling in places where dirt and other debris was painted over.

It can be expensive to have a home painted. It's a big investment, and it should last for years to come.

Preparing the home before painting will give you the best chance at getting your money's worth from the paint job. 

Therefore, be sure to get your brick home pressure washed before having it painted.

One more thing to consider is the timing of the work being preformed. Don't pressure wash your home and then wait weeks before you paint it. Once the brick has been pressure washed, be sure to paint it within a week or two to ensure that no debris has a chance to build back up or for new chipping to occur and defeat the purpose of pressure washing it in the first place.

Remember too that your house doesn't need to be brick for this to apply. You should always pressure wash before painting a home. By following this simple rule, you can make the paint job last longer and keep your house looking beautiful, just like you want it.

 ---------------

Call A.L. PressureWashing Service Today!

About Pressure WashingServices in Alpharetta 

Free Pressure WashingService Quote 

Why Pressure WashingYour Home Prior To Painting Is Important 

Reasons For PressureWashing Your House 

House painting services in Alpharetta Georgia : Preparation prior to house painting

Importance of prepping
exterior of home prior to
house painting.

Extensive preparation to the exterior surfaces of the home is required when considering the desired results of exterior house painting.

While spray painting the exterior surface is appropriate, some home owners consider brush exterior painting for a lustrous, rich finish that is hand applied by a exterior painting professional.

VIEW GALLERY:
how we prep the exterior of a house prior to painting

[[ See our Pressure Washing Services ]]
[[ A+ Rating Atlanta Better Business Bureau ]]


How We Prep Your House For Professional Exterior Painting Results

    • Pressure wash the entire exterior
    (removes loose and peeling paint, mold and mildew, dust and pollen)
    * Please allow a day of full sun to ensure complete exterior drying
    • Cracks and holes are filled in and sanded smooth
    • Remaining peeling paint is hand scraped
    • Bare wood is primed by hand
    • Shrubbery, plant beds and flowers are covered for protection
    • Windows and decorative doors are covered with plastic sheeting

•    FREE House Painting Estimate from A. L. Painting Co.
•    The Importance Of Your House Painting Service Prepping Prior To Painting
•    Atlanta Better Business Bureau Member Since 2001