How pricing works
What you pay for, and when you find out
We don't quote over the phone. The number comes after we have seen the house, and it comes in writing.
What decides the price
Surfaces and areas, repairs, the number of coats, how many colors, height and access, and the paint grade. Labor is most of it; paint is the smaller part.
What the estimate lists
Each surface, the repairs, the coats, the product and sheen for each, colors, cleanup, the schedule, the payment schedule and the warranty terms.
The visit
Lindsay or Ralph walks every room or side of the house, measures, checks the surfaces and asks what bothers you.
What it does not include
Repairs found once paint comes off, extra colors, and any work you add after you sign. Each is agreed in writing before we do it.
Payment
A deposit before materials, then payments at the stages the estimate names. The schedule is written before you sign.
When you get the number
In writing after the walk-through. The estimate says how long it holds, and carries the week's days and names.
At the walk-through
Bring a list; we will bring a tape.
The walk-through takes about an hour for most houses.
We measure, check the surfaces, note the repairs and talk through the colors. If you have two quotes in hand, bring them and we will read ours against them line by line.
Which rooms or sides of the house
What to fix first, and what can wait
The year your house was built, if you know it
Pricing questions
Why no price on the site?
A room with plaster repairs and a room with fresh drywall are different jobs. We would rather give one honest number than a range that doesn't fit your house.
What if you find more work?
We stop, show you and write it up. Nothing is added without your agreement in writing.
Can I do some of the work?
Moving furniture and clearing rooms helps. Tell us what you would like to take on and we price around it.
Ready for the walk-through?
We bring a tape and a pad.