Most homes have one or two projects that require the work of interior and exterior painting services to complete. While simple touchups and room paintings can often be completed by the homeowner, house painting companies are often the best choice for more complicated tasks. An open entry above a front door in a two story home is one example that is better hired out to professionals. Attempting to paint soaring ceilings in a vaulted entryway without professional ladders and scaffolding is often dangerous work for inexperienced home owners.
Interior and exterior painting services are available from a variety of local and national companies. Sometimes the challenge comes in knowing who to hire for the job. In 2006, the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) created the national “Accredited Contractor” program. The PDCA is the only trade association in America that is dedicated to the success of painting and decorating contractors. The “Accredited Contractor” ranking represents the highest mark of professionalism in the painting industry. To qualify, the program requires participation in a rigorous and on-going educational program and the implementation of key painting and decorating systems to ensure the success of a business. Hiring an Accredited Contractor, guarantees that you are hiring a respected professional who has proven to provide services that meet the industry’s highest standards.
In a 2014 survey of 1,700 homeowners, one-third of them had hired painting professionals within the last year. The majority, 85%, of homeowners who call professional painters have projects that require painting two or more rooms. Simpler one room tasks or touchup jobs are often completed by the homeowner.
In addition to offering quality work, professional painters can also offer advice about paint color and paint selection. For example, when applied under a roof deck, low-emissivity (low-E) paint can cut heat transfer by 5% to 8%. This percentage can produce annual energy savings up to 15%. Professional painters also understand the importance of waiting the appropriate amount of time before applying the second and third coats of paint. Exterior latex paint, for instance, takes two to three hours to dry, while oil paint is not dry to the touch until four hours after application.
