Featured City: Painting Contractor in Atlanta, GA
Find top-quality professional house painters in the Atlanta, Georgia (GA) area for interior and exterior painting services.
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How Much Should it Cost to Paint My Room?
When it comes to painting there really is no standard pricing. Each painting contractor prices according to their own method - sometimes informed by experience and knowledge, and sometimes not. You will undoubtedly see a wide range between estimates.
The first thing you can do is figure out the cost of the paint. A typical room (12' x 14') will use 2-3 gallons of paint for the walls and ceiling. Add a gallon if it needs primer. This means the paint for your room will cost between $80 and $200 depending on the paint you want to use (top quality paints will range between $40 and $60 per gallon.
The labor rates will vary widely around the country, but typically painting contractors will charge by the day - $200 to $400 per day is common in the Northeast. A typical room will probably take 2 days. One day for setup, preparation and priming. And then the second day for two coats of paint and clean up. So that means painting a typical room will cost between $500 and $1,000. Remember, this is just a really rough example to give you an idea. Each painting job is different, and the prices you receive for yours may be very different.
That said, every painting contractor needs to be paid for their time, expenses and materials. And a reasonable estimate should incorporate these costs. If it doesn't then the painting contractor won't make money and will need to figure out quickly how to either make money by adding additional costs not included on the estimate, lowering expenses by spending less time, cutting corners and/or using lower quality materials. Or, if they can't do any of these, they'll just abandon the paint job and never return your phone calls.
Experienced painting contractors know how long a specific job will take and how much they need to make per day. The amount they need to make per day will cover their business expenses (insurance, vehicle, tools) and their living expenses. They'll factor this along with the cost of materials to develop the estimate. Lower prices typically mean less time on your painting job or lower quality materials. If possible, get a detailed break down of the costs estimate. This should also give you a sense of what work will be done and give you a sense of how to compare estimates.
Quick note on insurance. House painters must have several types of insurance: business/liability insurance and worker's compensation. The business/liability insurance covers the painting contractor for any incidental problems, such as a ladder falling and breaking something expensive in your home. You'll want this coverage because if the house painter isn't covered and something happens, then you have recourse. Without insurance, you are on your own.
The second type of insurance is worker's compensation. This is required by law (may depend on your state) and covers any work-related injury. If your painting contractor doesn't have worker's compensation and someone gets hurt while working on your home, guess who is responsible for the medical bills... you. So this is also really important.
One more important thing to consider. Does the painter operate on a strictly cash basis? (in other words, do they pay taxes?) Sure, the painter may be able to offer you a better price because they don't have to pay any income taxes or collect/pay state sales taxes, but is this behavior you want to support? After all, we all end up paying one way or another. So while you get a cheaper paint job, your taxes will inevitably be higher for you and your neighbors and the painter is getting a free ride.
Getting Painting Ideas From Your Painter
If you are coming up empty when it comes to painting and you really need help concerning what direction to go in, then getting painting ideas from your painter might be the best place to start. A professional painting contractor has years of painting experience. They can come and check out the space that you are interested in having painted and answer any questions that you might have. They know the ins and outs of paint and often times, what looks good and what doesn’t. Since you are ultimately paying to have them paint anyway, then why not seek their professional advice to help you get started?
Here are a few common painting questions that you as a homeowner can ask your painter in order to gather inspiration and ideas.
1. What is the current paint trend? What color is being used the most in kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, etc? Because professional painters work in many different homes and businesses throughout each month, they can easily tell you what is the most popular color being used in your area. With this bit of information, you can either go with the crowd and use similar colors or go against the crowd and go in a completely different direction.
2. What is the best paint finish to use? Walls should not be painted in the same finish as trim. Kitchen cabinets should not be painted the same finish as a ceiling would be. They can point you in the right direction concerning the paint finish options, such as: flat, eggshell, satin, gloss, high gloss. They will know what to use – and where.
3. Would this color go well with….? Sometimes getting a second opinion on whether or not a color will go with something within a space will really help you pinpoint what color to choose. A painting contractor has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to the colors that homeowners have chosen in the past. Many painters, after years of experience, wind up having a really good eye for what blends and flows with the elements in a room.
4. What colors do you think I should use in this room? Yes, that is a pretty bold question, but your painter may surprise you!
5. Do you do specialty finishes? Right now, the decorative paint finishes have become extremely popular. Though most painting contractors do not offer these techniques, some are just starting to offer this service. Even if your painter doesn’t, they can most likely refer you to someone that they know or whom they have worked with.
So, if you are in a bind and are looking at all those color charts in total confusion and frustration, then try getting painting ideas from your painter. Don’t underestimate their ability to offer you sound advice and maybe even some inspiration!
And remember, here at Painter Source, we offer a large directory of qualified painters within your area who can provide you with all the ideas and professional painting advice that you might need. All you have to do is enter your city, state, or zipcode in the yellow search box above.
Here are a few common painting questions that you as a homeowner can ask your painter in order to gather inspiration and ideas.
1. What is the current paint trend? What color is being used the most in kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, etc? Because professional painters work in many different homes and businesses throughout each month, they can easily tell you what is the most popular color being used in your area. With this bit of information, you can either go with the crowd and use similar colors or go against the crowd and go in a completely different direction.
2. What is the best paint finish to use? Walls should not be painted in the same finish as trim. Kitchen cabinets should not be painted the same finish as a ceiling would be. They can point you in the right direction concerning the paint finish options, such as: flat, eggshell, satin, gloss, high gloss. They will know what to use – and where.
3. Would this color go well with….? Sometimes getting a second opinion on whether or not a color will go with something within a space will really help you pinpoint what color to choose. A painting contractor has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to the colors that homeowners have chosen in the past. Many painters, after years of experience, wind up having a really good eye for what blends and flows with the elements in a room.
4. What colors do you think I should use in this room? Yes, that is a pretty bold question, but your painter may surprise you!
5. Do you do specialty finishes? Right now, the decorative paint finishes have become extremely popular. Though most painting contractors do not offer these techniques, some are just starting to offer this service. Even if your painter doesn’t, they can most likely refer you to someone that they know or whom they have worked with.
So, if you are in a bind and are looking at all those color charts in total confusion and frustration, then try getting painting ideas from your painter. Don’t underestimate their ability to offer you sound advice and maybe even some inspiration!
And remember, here at Painter Source, we offer a large directory of qualified painters within your area who can provide you with all the ideas and professional painting advice that you might need. All you have to do is enter your city, state, or zipcode in the yellow search box above.
Tips for Choosing a Painter
If you are thinking of hiring a painter, there at least a few things to keep in mind when doing so. Many people don't understand the difference between a good paint job and a not-so-good paint job, and you don't want to learn the hard way. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing a painter:
1) All painters are not equal.
2) Check 3 to 5 references.
3) Ask for a painter recommendation at your local paint store
4) Beware of the switch to low-end paint.
5) Buy the paint yourself.
6) Just because your friend had a good experience, doesn't mean the painter is good.
2) Check 3 to 5 references.
3) Ask for a painter recommendation at your local paint store
4) Beware of the switch to low-end paint.
5) Buy the paint yourself.
6) Just because your friend had a good experience, doesn't mean the painter is good.
Getting The Best Results By Hiring Professional Painters
Whether you have an interior or exterior painting project, they both need the proper amount of attention. This includes planning, gathering materials, prep work, painting, and clean up. Painting is not something that should be rushed through or cheaply done. Hiring professional painters is your best bet to get the job done right.
Here is a list of a few positives in hiring a professional painter as opposed to you, the homeowner, attempting to do it yourself.
Read more: Getting The Best Results By Hiring Professional Painters