Our Interior House Painting Guide

Painting the interior of your home can be a great way to give it an update, add personal style, and make a statement. But before you hire someone to paint your walls, there are important things to consider before your estimate and before you make your final selection in choosing a painting contractor for your project. This guide will provide information on common questions about interior painting, choosing interior paint colors, as well as homeowners' concerns about hiring a painting contractor, how to research painting contractors, and how to check and verify a painting contractor's license number and insurance. We will also include information on how to prepare your home for a painting project as well as key information about the payment terms a contractor is allowed to request and more. With this guide, you'll have all the knowledge you need to ensure that when it comes time for your paint job, everything goes smoothly and efficiently - leaving you with beautiful results!

Protecting Yourself From Unlicensed Painting Contractors - Costly Lawsuits & Poor Workmanship

Verify Contractors License - It is important to ensure that the painting contractor possesses a valid California contractor's license which is issued by the California State License Board. You can check the license and its status on the CSLB website. If you hire an unlicensed contractor, there is a risk of receiving poor-quality work, and you may lose your rights to seek compensation for any damages through the bond company, which is required for licensed contractors. Additionally, the state of California will not provide you with any protection in such cases.

Verify Insurance - To avoid being held financially responsible for accidents or damages that may occur during a painting project, California homeowners should confirm that their painting contractor has both workers' compensation insurance and general liability insurance.

• In case the painting contractor lacks workers' compensation insurance, the homeowner might be accountable for any injuries suffered by the contractor's employees while working on the homeowner's property. This may lead to costly medical bills, lost wages, and legal fees.
• If the painting contractor does not have general liability insurance, the homeowner might be accountable for any harm caused to their property throughout the project. This may involve damage to the structure and any personal belongings or furniture inside the house.
• Homeowners should verify a painting contractor's workers' compensation and general liability insurance to secure themselves from potential risks. This will provide peace of mind knowing that any damages or accidents that may occur will be covered by the contractor's insurance. 

Online Reviews - It is crucial for homeowners to read online reviews of painting contractors because they highlight the contractor's work quality and customer service level. By going through reviews, homeowners can make an informed decision about the contractor they should hire. Additionally, reviews offer homeowners confidence that they are engaging a trustworthy and dependable professional.

Reading online reviews can help homeowners make an informed decision about whether or not to work with a contractor based on their work quality, timeliness, and other factors. Reviews provide insight into what it's like to work with a specific contractor, which can help homeowners avoid any potential issues.

Reputable painting contractors that do quality work should have at least a 4.5-star rating on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Nextdoor and an A rating or better with the Better Business Bureau.

Check Out The Painting Contractors' Website

Make sure you visit the painting contractors' website and look for a photo gallery of their past paint jobs. Check if the photos are genuine and if they truly represent the painting contractors' work and not stock photos purchased by their web designer. Contractors offering painting services will most likely have a large portfolio of their work that they are proud to show off. 

How Much Does Painting The Interior Of A Home Cost?

It can be a nearly insurmountable task to contemplate the cost of an interior painting project without actually viewing the home in person. Offering up rough estimates beforehand usually results in considerable frustration and confusion for all parties involved.

What Are The Factors In Determining The Cost Of Interior House Painting?

When planning your interior painting project, several elements must be considered to determine the cost of a paint job. Home size and room count both play an important role in determining price; larger homes require more paint, while multiple rooms naturally mean higher prices. Additionally, other factors like wall texture, the number of colors that will be introduced as part of the new scheme, certain colors such as most whites, reds, yellows, pinks, and peach tones, and the type of paint used can also influence how much you may end up spending on completing your home's new look. 

You can also count on added cost if you are planning to paint additional items such as doors, baseboards, window sills, or crown molding. Contractors will also charge for removing and replacing window treatments as well as moving furniture. Be sure to read your proposal to verify what's included and what's excluded in your pricing.

How To Choose Colors For Your Interior House Painting Project

When choosing colors for your home, it can be challenging, but there are resources available to assist you. Hiring an ASID Certified Color Consultant is a great option as they specialize in this field. Some paint stores, such as Sherwin-Williams, may provide color consultants as part of their services. If you're not interested in that option, there are websites such as Pinterest and Howz that offer plenty of inspiration and ideas. Another option is to go to any Sherwin-Williams paint store, where you can find color racks with stick-and-peel samples to try out before committing.

What Brands of Paint Do Professional Painters Use and Why Do They Matter?

Most professional painters trust premium paint produced by Vista Paint, Sherwin Williams, and Benjamin Moore. All of these renowned companies have proven their reliability through countless years of producing paints that are long-lasting and resilient. For most projects, we recommend Vista Paint Carefree Velva Sheen for the walls and Vista Paint Carefree 8400 Semi-Gloss Enamel for any woodwork that we are painting. The Carefree is available in several sheens and has excellent adhesion as well as superior color retention and scrub rate.

We are happy to use both Vista Paint or Sherwin Williams products. For walls, Sherwin Williams SuperPaint is an excellent choice, offering superb coverage and durability. For woodwork, Sherwin Williams Solo Semi-Gloss provides a smooth, durable finish. However, we prefer Vista Paint for its performance and appearance.

The crucial characteristics to consider in an interior latex paint are its ability to hide, maintain color, withstand scrubbing, and facilitate touch-ups. The Carefree Velva Sheen and Carefree Semi-Gloss products are highly rated in all aspects but remain within an affordable price range.

Searching For Reputable Companies

As a homeowner, there are several concerns you may have about hiring a painting contractor to paint the interior of your home:  One of the primary concerns for homeowners is what is the quality of the work provided by the painting contractor. Homeowners may worry about the skill level of the painter, the quality of the paint used, and whether the finished product will look professional and aesthetically pleasing. 

We understand that you have concerns and would like to help you by providing a list of factors to consider when searching for a painting contractor for your paint project.

1. How long has the contractor been in business?
2. Are the painter's company employees or subcontractors?
3. On average, how many painting projects does the contractor complete in a year?
4. Can the contractor provide samples and references for your type of project?
5. Does the painting contractor offer any other painting services such as exterior painting or cabinet painting?
6. Can the contractor tell you about the type of training program the company provides to their painters and whether they have a strong safety training program?
7. Can they provide information on the company's turnover rate and the longevity of its employees?
8. Would it be possible for the contractor to give you evidence of workers' compensation and general liability insurance?
9. Is the contractor's license valid and have they received any violations? Additionally, is their bond current?
10. Does the contractor provide a detailed written estimate?
11. What type of prep work and surface preparation is included in the pricing?
12. Do customers give positive reviews on Google, Yelp, and BBB?

Note: A contractor's license information can be verified by visiting the Contractors State License Boards website at https://www/cslb.ca.gov

Now that we have covered many of the topics and questions of things to consider before you hire a painting contractor, let's discuss some last remaining items that you should consider when planning your project.

The last remaining items and questions are:

1. What will the condition of my home be during the project? 
2. Can we be in the home while you are painting?
3. Does the paint have a strong odor?
4. Will my children and pets be safe from the fumes?
5. What are my responsibilities and how do I prepare for the painters?
6. What are your payment terms?

Answers

Condition Of Your Home

During the painting project, the areas being painted will be unusable and covered with tape, paper, and plastic to protect non-painted surfaces. If the entire home is being painted, it is advisable to make arrangements to stay at a hotel or with relatives. If it is not feasible to adjust, you can discuss with your contractor about finding ways to accommodate your requirements.

Paint Odor -

Interior paint typically has a slight odor, but there are some options with minimal odor. Vista Paint produces high-quality interior paint that is zero VOC and very little odor.

As the paint dries, it won't emit any harmful odors or fumes that could pose a threat to your pets or children. If the contractor is using an airless sprayer to apply the paint, homeowners should steer clear of the paint dust and fumes. However, there shouldn't be an issue with brushing and rolling.

Homeowner Responsibilities 

Homeowners are responsible for removing and reinstalling window treatments. You will also need to relocate the refrigerator, plus the washer and dryer if they obstruct the walls that are to be painted. Artwork and decor should also be taken down, and any furniture with delicate items such as a china hutch should be cleared out. Furniture will need to be moved away from the walls, and closets should be emptied if they are getting painted. 

Payment Terms

According to the rules, contractors cannot ask for a deposit that exceeds 10% of the total cost of the project, or $1,000 if the project is over $10,000. Therefore, if your project costs $4,000, the maximum deposit the contractor can ask for is $400. For bigger projects, the contractor may ask for progress payments, but this should be specified in the contract before you agree to it.

Benefits Of Hiring The Right Contractor

Hiring a professional painter for the interior of your home has several benefits. They have vast experience working with various combinations of paint and surfaces, which enables them to apply paint expertly for the best outcomes. They also comprehend the significance of preparation work and can make sure that all necessary fixes are made before beginning the painting project. Moreover, a professional painter may have access to superior paint products that aren't available at local hardware stores, resulting in high-quality outcomes for your project.

Conclusion

Interior house painting is a great way to give your home an updated look and add personal style. It can be overwhelming to think about hiring a contractor, but with the right research, you can find one that meets all of your needs. When it comes to finding quality results for your project, consider hiring a professional painter who has experience working with different paints and surfaces. With their expertise, they will be able to prepare properly for the job and optimally apply the paint so that you get lasting results. Take some time today to learn more about interior house painting and start planning out how you want your dream space!

More Tips & Recommendations For Getting The Best Paint Job  

• Get at least three estimates
• Verify past work
• How many coats of paint are included in the estimate?
• Checking references is always a good idea