Alsleben Industries Painters

So you want to paint the exterior of your house yourself? Well there’s nothing wrong with being a do it yourselfer, but before you start, here are some things to think about before you get in too deep. Do you have good mobility and balance? Like it or not, painting is very physical and labor intensive work, more so then you may realize. Are you comfortable with heights? While pressure washing, scraping, masking, spackling, sanding, caulking, priming and painting, you will be spending 70% of your time up on a ladder. There is nothing like swinging in the breeze 30 feet up in the air with a spray gun in one hand and a shield in the other. Safely handling equipment while working and maintaining a safe work environment is key to a painter’s survival. Believe it or not, exterior painting is rated as hazardous work, as hazardous as roofing and other related industries. Ladders, scaffolds, bucket lifts and other such equipment used in the painting industry can be slippery and dangerous if used improperly, thus the need for proper training and safety equipment. Harnesses, anchors, rope, and lanyards are just some of the safety equipment we pros use every day and to do most exterior painting yourself safely, you would have to rent these things plus the pressure washer, paint sprayer and possibly much more.
And as for the time you will be spending just doing the work, well the average home owner will take two to three times as long to complete the project and many times they will run into problems with quality due to skipping steps you just may not know about due to lack of experience. Unfortunately, many home owners are under the impression or misconception that painting is just a matter of slapping up some paint and shouldn’t cost them much for a pro to do it. Well, sorry but there’s just a whole lot more to it then you may have imagined. In the end, by having a pro do the job you will be saving yourself a lot of time and headache. So if you’re planning on doing some painting yourself take the time to plan the job carefully and do be safe out there.

We know that process of looking for an finding the right contractor can be a daunting task. But does it really have to be such a hassle? We like to think not. So where do you start when there is so much negative stigma associated with the construction industry in general? We have all read or heard lots of the horror stories about one contractor or another who made a mess, did sloppy work, took the down payment money and ran, and the list goes on. How do the good guys stand out and how do you find a good contractor right from the start? This is a question that I have gotten many times. While there is no perfect answer, there are resources available to help you find the right contractor for you. Since we live in the age of the internet, the first place I’d start is with your local BBB listings. There are standards that must be met in order for a company to be a member of their local BBB, so that helps to cut down on some of your choices. I also recommend looking at sites like Merchant Circle. Sites like these allow you to get a closer look at the services offered by contractors and allows their previous clients to post reviews of their work so you can get a good idea at their level of customer satisfaction. If you choose to look at the ads placed by contractors on craigslist, in the phone book, etc., I would recommend looking into these contractors on your local BBB site and Merchant Circle before calling them. These simple steps will help you in cutting a lot of the riffraff and can ensure that those you do get bids from are legitimate contractors with a history of professional service. Now, you might think that I’m just tooting my own horn, being that we are a BBB accredited contractor and have good reviews on Merchant Circle, as well as a history of quality service, but if this helps you in finding any qualified contractor and you have a better experience, then its worth it.

A paint review of Sherwin’s Resilience the Pros’ choice for wet weather

As a paint contractor, there have been many times where I have had to stop work or reschedule a job due to weather concerns. Naturally, you don’t paint an exterior in the rain or cold, right? Well, that’s not the case anymore. When Sherwin Williams came out with Resilience Exterior coating, I had to give it a try and put it to the test. All I can say is WOW, Sherwin Williams has done it again. I love this paint. Here are the facts: Sherwin’s Resilience stood up to all it’s advertised to do. My personal test results on a scale of 1 to 10:

Cold Weather Application (to 35°F): Outstanding = 9.0

Wet Weather Application: Superb = 9.0

Coverage & Durability: Truly Unmatched = 10.0

Easy Application & Workability: Fabulous = 9.0

Meets/Exceeds Environmental Regulations for low VOC’s: Excellent = 9.0

Safe for Vinyl: Yahoo = 9.0

Well, there you have it. As a professional contractor who has used this product for some time, in my expert opinion, this paint has a top rating for any contractor or home owner who is going to do any painting in the Northwest (because as we all know, the weather can put a damper on your painting projects). However, with Resilience you can put those concerns aside and go for it. It also has a limited lifetime warranty, which is fantastic. No more worrying about having to do it again in the next few years. Want to know more: check it out for yourself at your local Sherwin’s retail store and give it a try.

As of April 2010 there is a new EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) law regarding lead-based paint going into effect. All renovators, remodelers, and painters must adhere to this new law or face stiff penalties.

As a property owner how will this law affect you? Well here are some basic questions you will be expected to answer.

Was your building built before 1978?

If your building was built before 1978, are there children ages 6 or under, or is this building a child care facility?

If your building was built before 1978, is there a pregnant woman living here or visiting regularly?

If you answered yes to these questions then your property must be tested for lead by a certified lead based inspectors risk assessor, or a certified renovator who has taken and passed the EPA RRP certification, from an EPA accredited training provider, and can provide you with the proper documentation, (RRP card/certificate) and accompanying documentation. Any contractor not certified cannot perform work to your property. Or they put you your family and themselves at risk by either not knowing or following lead safe work procedures that go into effect in April 2010. For further information go to http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm#requirements

As property owners some of us tended to not think about lead paint or the effects it can have on our lives until it directly affects us. As of now though, this can no longer be the case. If you or someone you know is thinking of renovating or painting, make sure you have the right information and don’t be fooled by slick talk. Be sure you ask the question (are you a RRP certified renovator). Though in some cases the cost of the work performed may be more do to the new and extensive procedures, is it really worth the risk not to use a certified professional?

Start with trust, that is the BBB motto and we believe in it. As a BBB accredited business we follow the regulations and are a “by the book” sort of company. Although it seems that in today’s market there are more and more competitors willing to under bid us in trying to get the jobs and focusing on the price. Although the price is undoubtedly important, just as important is quality of the work you’re paying for. We like to focus on the quality of our craftsmanship: doing the finest work for each and every customer. We have made a conscious effort to make our prices reasonable by setting a rate that is right in the middle of industry standards and have kept it there so that we can focus on providing the highest quality customer service and in doing so making sure you get what you’re paying for. So which is truly more important: you getting the job done for the cheapest price and hoping and that they will do a good job, or starting with trust and maybe paying that bit extra and having the peace of mind in knowing the contractor you have hired is going to make sure you and your property is treated with respect and the work being done is done right each and every time. We make sure that every one of our painters has the highest skill possible before they come into your home or business so that each and every property owner can benefit from their experience and have a relaxed experience when hiring us to complete their painting project.

So why not start with trust? We believe in it, shouldn’t you?

Saving Money & The Consequences
While sitting in the bank waiting to meet with the merchant services advisor, I had picked up a trades magazine and was thumbing through it when I ran across an article that just hit a home run. It was about a lady, who we’ll call Patty, who had purchased a house and had decided to have some work done around her property: landscaping, painting, etc. Well Patty proceeded to call several individuals who had advertised that they did they kind of work she was looking to have done. Pretty soon, knock knock, there was one at her door. After having several contractors look at the scope of work and provide her with estimates, Patty decided to go with the least expensive of these to save as much money as she could. The work consisted of trimming some shrubs around the house, the exterior of the house was to be painted, and the trimming of some tree branches that hung over and on the roof.
Let the work begin. So the contractor, we will call him Tom, set to work trimming the verge and pretty soon knock knock on the door, Tom tells Patty that some of the shrubs will need to be removed due to them being diseased and dead, and it would cost her an additional amount for him to remove the shrubs. Patty agrees to the amount and Tom goes back to work hacking, sawing, digging and pulling out the shrubs. Pretty soon the shrubs have been removed and the painting has begun, during which, knock knock, Tom comes again with bad news. Tom informs Patty that the tree branches on the roof have damaged the cedar shingles on the roof and for a price he can remove and replace them when he trims the trees to prevent the roof from being damaged further and leaking in the future. Patty agrees to the additional work and the painting is completed soon after.
Then its hi ho hi ho up the tree we go, and Tom proceeds with trimming the trees when, you guessed it, knock knock on the door. Tom informs Patty that two of the trees he is trimming are rotting from the inside out and are dying and should be cut down and removed, and he can do so for an additional cost. Well as you can imagine, at this point Patty is quite frustrated. The cost of the work is more than the highest bid she had previously received and she is having doubts as to Toms’ ethics and expertise. So she tells Tom she will think about it, and back to work tom goes: buzz buzz goes the saw, rip and tear the roof, when wouldn’t you know it, all hell breaks loose. Tom has fallen and broken his leg and injured his back. The EMTs are called and Tom is whisked away to the hospital.
Poor Patty is beside herself with shock and fear because she has just been informed of the extent of Toms’ injuries and the fact the Tom is not a licensed, bonded or insured contractor, and she, as technically his employer, is responsible. Patty is at her wits end and now she must hire and attorney, who investigates Toms and Pattys’ work agreement and the work performed by Tom and in doing so finds out that not only was Tom not legally licensed to do the work but that he had misled Patty as to the health of the shrubs, trees, and extent of roof damage. In the end though, being that Patty is classified as his employer, she ends up paying out three times the amount of money, and learns a hard and expensive lesson: sometimes when you try to save, you end up losing. So, next time you get a bid make darn sure the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured, legal to perform the work in accordance with the state laws. I wish all of you reading this health and happiness. And do remember, when we legitimate contractors give a bid that may seem more than you think it should cost, well remember this: more often then not it covers those over head expenses, like insurance and such, that protect you, the client, as well as us and keep you from being like Patty and end up paying out the nose.

Throughout the years that I have been practicing the art of painting, I have come to discover the undeniable fact that most people who set out to hire professional painter, be it a homeowner or the average landlord, are commonly under the misconception that a painter is just your average minimum wage person who will just slap up the paint, and not someone requiring much skill or education. However, if you have ever worked with or have had work done by a professional paint contractor, that takes exceptional pride in his or her craft, you may have discovered that most of us professional do indeed have an extensive education in our craft, just as a plumber or electrician does in his or her specific vocation. So lets examine the cost factor. You have just had a plumber come and fix some leaking pipes and paid them an average of $75 to $100/hr for their expertise. This price for the service you receive is well worth it because, more than likely that plumber or electrician is at least at a journeyman level, which means they have worked at least a 2000-3000 hours directly under someone is considered a master plumber or electrician. Well here is the shocker, to hire a paint contractor who is licensed, bonded, and insured and having years of experience in their specific vocation, it is much the same, both in cost for their skills, years of education, and hazards associated with their vocation. Professional painting contractors, as with all reputable contractors and companies, have a wide variety of taxes, licensing fees, equipment upkeep, material expenses, and, not to mention other regular bills (just like homeowners do) that are absolutely vital to their business. Of the bid estimates that are given to clients, only about ¼ to 1/3 of that that price ends up being actual “income” for the owner and employee(s). Also, of the bids that you receive, there are many factors that go into determining the price: how big is the area that needs to be painted, how dangerous it could be to be painting a multistory house with rough ground around it, how intensive the prep needs to be to satisfy the client and they look they are going for, how many hours are needed to do the best quality job that painter can do, and of course, the price and quality of the paint that the homeowner is looking for so that the investment the owner is making in their home will last for more than just 5 years, and these are just a few of the considerations that go into determining a bid price. All reputable contractors want to provide homeowners with the most affordable price that they can do the job for, given the factors I just listed. None are trying to “rip you off” or give you a bad deal because they fully understand how word-of-mouth works and that it might affect their ability to do business in the future, not to mention their insurance premiums and bond. Now I know there are some painters out there that have no more than 3 years of experience painting and try going it on their own. However for most of us with 15 to 20 years in our vocation, they only serve to give the rest of us a bad rep some of them may not be licensed and in good standing in the State of Washington and because they may lack experience and education. Not knowing any of these contractors personally, I cannot say for sure, but being in this industry for as long as I have been, many little birdies have twittered in my ear. What can I say, it only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole barrel. One piece of advice I would like to impart on those of you reading is this: the very first step you should do after receiving a bid is to verify that that contractor is currently licensed with the state you are living in, in our case, Washington. The Dept. of Labor and Industries is only too happy to give you this information. You can also ask the contractor to show you his/her license, proof of insurance, and bond. You can also check with the BBB for a list of all their accredited contractors in your area. On the positive side of things most professional contractors are constantly keeping up with new technology in paint chemistry, application techniques, and many other areas of the paint industry, such as when new bldg materials are developed and used, and paint chemistry changes to meet the specifications and changes in demand. Then we, too, as professionals must keep up with continuing education to better meet the need and expectations of our clients. As my father used to say to me, “If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.” So if you’re looking to have a contractor work on your property and the offer to do a job that should cost a $1000 for $500-600 look out, and remember you usually get just what you pay for.

Most professional painters have their favorite brushes. I know I sure do. And there are a lot of opinions as to what kind of brush to use depending on the kind of paint or job you’re doing. There are all kinds of brushes out there, some very good ones in fact. I just don’t use some of them because they just don’t feel right in my hands. So I encourage you to try several kinds until you find the one you are most comfortable with. Personal preference is always a factor in choosing a brush width, but a good rule of thumb is: 1 to 2 inches: For small spaces, tight trim areas, touch-ups and detail work. 2 1/2 to 3 inches: For any trim and corner work. 4 to 5 inches: For larger areas like walls or side paneling. My personal preference for most jobs is a Purdy 3” to 4” brush with angled sash bristles or with angled cut trim bristles. The white China/polyester blend bristles are typically used for oil-based coatings. A high production Nylon/Polyester or 100% Nylon brushes are typically used for latex paints. The nylon and polyester filaments make this brush a fine finishing tool that is very durable and easy to clean. The Black China/Ox Hair Blend Brushes are extremely fine and soft, creating an exceptional tool for fine finish work. Black China/ox hair blend brushes offer a perfect tool for special jobs or to provide a very soft brush feel in my hands. Selecting the right brushes and rollers is a crucial step in making your paint jobs look better while helping you to do your work more easily and efficiently. So next time you have a paint or stain project have fun and when you’re in the paint store, get yourself a better quality brush for any job requiring more than a quart of paint, it will be worth it in the long run. The paint pros at Sherwin Williams can also help you to choose the right brush for your project. But remember a professional brush helps create professional results, and a professional painter doesn’t hurt either.

Next weeks tip: Accenting a wall

Paint and prep on exterior lap siding – For best results, be sure to pick the right kind of spackle or filler for smoothing out those rough spots. There two main kinds I use: one is a putty. This I use only for filling holes rather than smoothing rough areas. The other is an exterior spackle paste. It is much softer for working out to a thin layer on your siding and will dry hard enough to sand in a shorter time. It can also be layered. If your first attempt is not as smooth as need be, then lightly sand, prime and paint. The putties and pastes are available at your local paint stores. We recommend Sherwin Williams because they have knowledgeable staff to help you find just what you’re looking for. If you have difficulty achieving the look desired, call your local neighborhood painter. They are well practiced at the technique and can do it with minimal effort.
Next Week’s Tip: Choosing the Right Brush