You walk into a room painted a beautiful celadon green and
immediately your mood changes—you become calmer, more
relaxed. By merely changing the color of a room, you can produce a
feeling of drama or tranquillity. Designers know that painting is one
of the quickest, most versatile and cost effective things you can do
to transform a room. But painting can be a messy and hazardous
proposition for the novice, so many homeowners opt to hire a
professional contractor.
Paint contractors with a wide range of abilities and services abound
in the New York City area. Choices range from small start-ups to
large established irms. Depending upon the size of the job and the
quality and complexity of the work, there is a paint contractor out
there for you.
- Where to Look for a Professional
- Contracts
- Pricing Systems
- How Many Painters Will Be in My House?
- The Elements of a Professional Paint Job
- Wallpaper
- Decorative Finishes: The Art of Imitation
- Decorative Painting: A Master Tradition
- Paint-Choosing Tips
Finding the right paint contractor for your job involves some
research. There is no licensing agency for paint contractors
in New York State, so it is very important to check references
and ask to see a certiicate of insurance. Each contractor
should have worker’s compensation and general liability. These
certiicates of insurance will protect you from jobsite-related
liabilities. Several trade organizations, such as the Painting and
Decorating Contractors of America, list paint contractors in
your area. If necessary, your contractor should also be able to
provide you with bonding information and documentation of
safety training and compliance programs.
Most movers provide packing services in addition to
transportation. Packing, of course, incurs additional cost. If you
choose to have your items packed by movers, you’ll need to
schedule packing days. Be sure to take inventory of what gets packed into each box, making sure to make a note of any existing damage.
Keep a copy of the inventory list handy as you unpack to ensure that all your items have arrived safely. While movers assume liability for
damage incurred by any items they packed themselves, they will not accept responsibility for items packed by you. Be sure to get estimates
both with and without packing services in order to ensure that you opt for the services best suited to your needs and budget.
Reputable contractors will encourage using a written contract. Your contract should clearly explain the scope of the work to be performed
and include a list of the surfaces to be painted, a time schedule for the project, payment procedures and any warranty or guarantee the
contractor might offer.
Cost for painting residential homes varies widely based on such factors as the cost of the materials used and the company’s overhead costs.
You should invite at least three paint contractors to bid on your paint job, and ask each to submit a detailed written proposal. Contractors
charge for painting on a per person per day basis, which generally runs in the $400 to $450 range for non-union jobs. Union jobs start at
about $500 per day. The contractor should provide you with an overall cost estimate for the job that is broken down by room. Also ask for
a step-by-step plan outlining how the job will be spackled, skimmed and painted. If colors are being matched, ask the painter to apply 24”
square samples on the walls.
Ask for client references. They can provide valuable insight into the quality of work, timing and cost.
The size of the crew needed largely depends
upon the scope of the job involved. Some painters
listed in this guide are sole proprietors who work
on small jobs themselves and subcontract larger
jobs; others are larger companies with complete
crews. Ask how many men will be working on your
job and whether there will there be a supervisor or
principal on site.
Typically, paint contractors offer the services of lat painting and wallpapering. Flat painting a room involves preparing the walls, trim and ceiling
surfaces for the paint as well as the paint job itself. A primer coat, which prepares the walls for the paint, should be applied to dry walls. Two
coats of high-quality paint should be applied to the wall surfaces.
The quality of the paint is crucial in determining its longevity. Fine quality paint, properly applied, should last for six to seven years. If you
or your contractor skimps on the quality of the paint, you may be facing a new paint job a lot sooner then you would like. The two most
common types of paints are latex and oil-based paints. Latex paint is water based and dries quickly, which allows for more than one coat to
be applied in a day. Acrylic latex paint is better at resisting mildew, easier to clean and lasts longer than alkyd paints, which are oil based.
Alkyd paints are preferred by many painters because they are durable and long lived, but they take longer to dry and have a signiicant odor.
Most experts agree that oil-based paints are best suited for the doors and trim, and latex paint for the walls and ceilings.
The presence of lead paint presents health hazards in many homes. The federal government banned the use of lead paints in 1978, and
your apartment is likely to contain a layer of lead paint if it was painted prior to that year. When sanding is done in advance of painting, the
sanding may cause lead dust to enter the air in your home environment. Your contractor should provide you with a pamphlet that discusses
lead issues in your home. Ask your contractor what measures he takes to ensure that lead particles are eliminated. To ind out if your
residence contains lead paint, see the testing alternatives discussed in the Lead & Asbestos section of this book.
Wallpapering can add depth, texture and visual interest to a room. Floral or striped wallpaper can make even small windowless rooms
cheerful. It can be a costly investment, so it is important to ind a qualiied, competent professional to install your paper. Finding a wallpaper
hanger can be as easy as talking to your paint contractor, as many of them also provide this service. Depending upon the complexity of the
job, it may be appropriate to contact a professional who specializes in wallpaper hanging. Cost for this service is charged on a per roll basis
with rates averaging about $50 per roll. Most wallpaper is sold in double-roll units which measure approximately 60 square feet. The price
quoted should include trimming the sides of the paper if necessary. Professionals will strip your walls of existing paper and prep it for the new
paper at an additional fee. Your wallpaper hanger should calculate the quantity of paper you will need for the room based on the room size
Decorative inishes are used by painters to imitate
materials such as marble, wood, paper, stone, metal
and fabric. These inishes can be elegant, whimsical
or dramatic, depending upon the artist and the paint
technique utilized. Current trends today include fake
wood- (“faux bois”) paneled libraries and limestone
facades. When done by a gifted artist, a faux inish can
cost more than the material being imitated. Decorative
inishes can customize a space through color and
texture and dramatically relect the owner’s style.
A wall-sized mural that recreates a Pompeian gallery;
majestic Greek columns beside the swimming pool;
famous storybook characters dancing along the walls
of a child’s room . . . these enchanting effects are the work of decorative painters. Both artists and craftsmen, decorative painters have a thorough knowledge of speciic historical and decorative
styles and have the ability to translate this knowledge in a historically accurate artistic rendering.
There are many forms of decorative painting. Some of the most popular today include fresco, murals and trompe l’oeil. Over time,
techniques and materials have been enhanced and improved, allowing artists and artisans to produce works that have lasted—and will last—
for centuries.
Decorative painting is an art form using techniques that have been passed down by artisans throughout the centuries. Today, decorative
painters come from a variety of backgrounds—some have ine art degrees, many have studied the techniques of the Old Masters in Europe
and others have been schooled speciically in decorative painting. These professionals carry the legacy of a tradition that was once passed
from master to apprentice.
When you are considering any decorative painting style, ask to see a portfolio of the artist’s work and, if possible, visit a home that has work
of a similar nature. Decorative showhouses are also an excellent venue in which to witness the artistry of decorative painting. Many decorative
painters use these showcases to demonstrate their talents. If working with an interior designer, consult with him or her on the project and how
it will enhance your overall room design. Artists should also provide you with renderings of the work being produced.
Fees vary widely for decorative painting and are based on many factors, including the scope and scale of the project and the expertise of the
painter. Ask your contractor to provide you with a sample board of the paint technique you desire. Some charge for this service while others
include it in the total cost of the project. Decorative inishes can be charged on a per person, per day basis or priced per job.
Decorative painting can be a major investment, but certainly one with exquisite results.
- Use oil-based paint for metals and trim; latex for wood and drywal
- High-trafic areas need a durable, easy-to-clean paint job. Use delicate paint applications in light-trafic areas only.
- Use lat paint for base coats; gloss to set off trim and doors.
- Be alert to the number of coats required. Eggshell paints, for example, take at least one extra coat.
- Take into account the light in the room when choosing colors. They will look different in artiicial and natural light.
- Note that darker colors make a room feel smaller and cozier, while lighter colors open it up.