HIRING A PAINTING CONTRACTOR

Why should I hire a professional?
Quality and durability are the #1 reasons to hire a painting contractor vs. doing it yourself. There are three tell tale differences between a professional and amateur paint job:

1. Thorough, detailed preparation – the most important part of painting is not the painting! You need to spend the time to prepare surfaces properly, making it a perfect blank canvas. This usually includes a lot of tedious, dirty work: patching, stripping, sanding, and retexturing.
2. Clean, straight lines – Through years of experience, experienced painters can “cut in” or create a straight edge by hand and minimize usage of blue tape that can bleed.
3. Even application – Proper application of the paint will make your paint job last longer and look even at every angle and in every light

Who will give me the best quality?
I have 19 years experience painting apartments, homes, and small businesses up and down the West Coast and my clients satsifaction is always #1. I’m meticulous and detailed in my craft so you get a stunning result. Don’t settle for less. Get it done right the first time!

Who will give me the best deal?
High quality work takes time, precision, and skill. Like most things, you get what you pay for. Contractors offering deep discounts, like an entire room for $99 will inevitably look like a room that cost $99! I have a strong work ethic, working quickly and efficiently, to give you the best value for a beautiful, long lasting paint job that will stand the test of time.

Who can I trust in my home?
It’s best to meet your contractor face to face and always trust your instincts. I have a long history of outstanding service and many repeat clients that can give you excellent referrals and testimonials. Also, since I perform all preparation and painting myself, never subcontracting out work to strangers, you can rest assured that I’m the only one that will be in your home.

Will it be a big inconvenience having a common area painted in my home?
I understand that residential clients often live in the spaces in which I work, so I’ll be sensitive to working within a schedule that suits your needs, delivering quality work in the timeframe established at the beginning of a project and leaving you with a livable workspace every day that I’ve been in your home.

PRICING

How much will it cost?
A free in-home estimate is necessary before I can provice an accurate quote, as there are too many factors that can effect the price. To name a few: condition and age of surfaces, number of windows and doors, amount of trim, differences between current and new paint (light to dark, dark to light, oil based to water based, etc).

How will I be billed?
I bill time and materials. You will receive a weekly invoice that is payable the following week.

SCHEDULING

What hours do you work?
My normal business hours are between Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm but I can tailor my hours to meet your needs and schedule.

I have a strict deadline for work to be completed, can you meet it?
I’m comfortable working under aggressive deadlines. I can work extra hours, nights and weekends, as needed and if the job site allows. Call me (503) 410-4539 and we can discuss your timeline.

Do you take on large projects?
I can take on whole interior jobs in houses and small businesses. If you would like to have your whole house painted prior to a move-in, I focus on the common areas first (kitchen, living room, master bedroom, and bath) so that you are guaranteed to have a completely livable space from Day 1 of your move in. Then, if time is short, I can complete other rooms (foyer, spare bedrooms, etc) after you have moved in.

Since I’m a solo artisan painter and do not subcontract out cheaper painters, I’m not the best fit for very large time-senstive projects but I can augment other hired paint contractors, focusing on the prominent showcase rooms/areas that require a higher quality and attention to detail.

PAINTING & MATERIALS

What materials do I need to provide?
You provide or will be billed for all non-reusable materials and supplies to complete your project: paint, primer, roller covers, tape, etc.

What equipment does Ron Kutulas Painting provide?
I provide all tools and equipment to complete your job: ladders, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, etc.

I’m having trouble picking colors, can you help?
I offer basic Color Consulting services and can help you chose complementary colors based on your room design and aesthetic. See all the services I offer.

In addition, Benjamin Moore has a handy Color Viewer to experiment with different colors. You can even upload your own picture to make your choice easy and fun.

What paint do you recommend?
I recommend Benjamin Moore Aura, Devine, and Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint for their available color lines and superior coverage. Miller Paint, a local paint store, also sells a number of solid options.

Buying a good quality paint will not only make your paint job last longer, it can be cheaper in the long run. In some situations, I can get away with only 1 coat of paint which will save you money on labor costs offsetting the higher cost of paint. Most cheap paints require 2 or more coats no matter how skilled the painter, due to its quality and thinner consistency.

I have kids or I’m concerned about paint chemicals, does it matter what paint I choose?
I highly recommend Low or No VOC paint for use in bedrooms, especially kids bedrooms. For more information, read about Eco Friendly Paint.