Introduction

Common mistakes while selecting painting proposals

When homeowners shop for paint jobs, they often make a mistake. They invite several painters to their project, show them around, and then ask for a quote without giving any extra instructions. It’s like saying, “Paint my house!” without specifying the colors or details.

Some homeowners avoid giving detailed instructions to contractors because they don’t want to offend them or because they assume professionals already know what’s best. However, it’s essential to recognize that each painter’s approach to a job can vary significantly based on their individual experience.

Imagine you’re getting bids for a painting job. Here’s what can happen:

1. Bidder A might add an extra finish coat because that’s how they’ve always done it.
2. Bidder B might skip the prime coat to offer a lower price and outbid others.
3. Bidder C might not even consider painting a light well because they didn’t notice it or think it’s necessary.

So, each bidder has their own approach, and it can lead to different proposals. To avoid confusion, homeowners should provide a clear project description to all bidders. That way, everyone is on the same page!

Imagine you’re getting bids for a painting job. Here’s what might happen:

Different proposals will have varying details about the work scope, job requirements, and price. It’ll be like comparing apples, oranges, and bananas—very confusing! As a result, it becomes nearly impossible to compare these proposals side by side.

Now, picture this: You’ve chosen a proposal, work has started, and suddenly you realize that something you wanted painted isn’t included in the “winning” proposal. Uh-oh! So, you might have to start the bidding process all over again or, worse, interrupt the ongoing job to fix the missing piece.

In simpler terms, it’s like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle with mismatched pieces. Clear instructions upfront can save you from this headache!

Homeowners can prevent confusion by giving all bidders a clear project description. It doesn’t need to be complex—just the same for everyone. Here’s an example:

Paint the outside in San Francisco 123 Main St.

Here’s what to include:

• Work on the front, back, and east side light well.
• Partial work on the west side (above the neighbor’s roof).

Steps:

1. Clean, scrape, and prepare all surfaces for painting.
2. Apply one complete coat of primer followed by one coat of finish paint.
3. The front will have three colors, while the back and sides will have two colors.
4. Use top-grade material from the “XYZ Paint Company.

Navigating contractor suggestions in you project

Imagine you’re planning a project, and you’ve got a detailed description of what needs to be done. Now, when you start getting bids from different contractors, some of them might suggest changes or additions that weren’t part of your original plan.

Here’s the key: Stick to your initial project description. Even if you like one of the recommendations (say, adding an extra finish coat), don’t deviate from your original plan. Instead, ask the bidder to provide that extra option as a separate price. This way, when you compare all the proposals, you’ll be comparing similar things—like comparing different types of fruit to each other—instead of mixing apples with oranges!

(Also read How to Choose Best Painting Contractor.)

Tom The Painter SF
Painting Contractor in San Francisco, CA Bay Area

Our license number is 1031 543