Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

When can you start?

In general, we can usually start your project in 2-4 weeks from the time we receive a signed contract. That being said, we are one of the largest companies in the area with over 30 full-time painters. We do our best to accommodate any schedule, so if there is a specific deadline that needs to be met, just let us know. We never want to miss an opportunity to serve one of our customers because of scheduling!

What hours do you work?

Our office is open and phones answered by a live person from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM on Monday - Friday. Our standard work hours for job sites are either 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM or 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. We also have crews available for nights, weekends, or multiple shift work (overtime rates may apply).

How many workers will be here?

Our standard crew size is 3: one member of our Leadership Team, a Lead Painter, and a Painter. Larger projects may have more team members assigned, and projects under $2,000 will have 1 or 2 team members.

How long have you been in business?

Precision Painting was started in 2000 by Sean Buruato. At that time, it was not Precision Painting; it was just Sean and a truck. Sean teamed up with Aaron Moore in 2002, and in 2004, they formally incorporated their business as Precision Painting & Decorating Corporation. Additionally, much of the workforce has been painting for 10, 15, or 20+ years!

Can you give me a ballpark or quote for my job over the phone?

For small jobs (under 16 man hours), we do have our "Painter-For-A-Day" program. This provides all of the necessary tools and a lead painter for 8-16 hours. Click here for more information. For some projects, we may be able to quote over the phone through pictures, but that would be up to the assigned estimator after your estimate request has been submitted. The majority of jobs will require an in-person meeting to discuss the details or your project, take measurements, and calculate a firm price quote. In-person meetings remove any guesswork and keep unexpected costs from entering the equation.

Can I varnish over the hard-to-find-color of flat paint in the kitchen to make the walls shiny and more cleanable?

You could apply a urethane, but check with your paint store about compatibility over the existing paint. But why not get the color matched and repaint the walls with an eggshell or satin enamel? Most paint stores have sophisticated color matching systems that can figure out the formula for just about any sample you bring in.

Can I remove lead paint on my own?

If your child ingests even the smallest amount of lead, it can lead to serious medical problems, including the cognitive development of children under the age of six. Adults have a greater tolerance for lead, but can still develop poisoning and symptoms like headaches and nausea. For these reasons alone, we would recommend giving us a call. The PPD crew is a LEAD certified contractor and we follow strict procedures and regulations. This is definitely a job for professionals.

* Unsure if the paint contains lead? Your local home store should sell LeadCheck Swabs!

How will I know how much paint I need?

Are you doing the siding of your house? If so, measure and add up each wall's total square feet, including the windows and doors. Divide this by 90 percent of the coverage rate that is printed on the can. This will work for interior as well. Are you painting the trim? Take the total trim and divide by two to get answer A. Take the coverage per gallon (on the can in square feet) and multiply by 0.9 to get answer B. Divide answer A by B and this will provide the number of gallons needed.

Why is there a drastic price difference in some paint choices?

A single gallon of paint can range from $17 (unless on sale) to over $100. The more expensive the paint, the better the quality of ingredients. This can help in making paint last longer, and save you money in the long run.

How long will the project take?

Project duration can vary greatly based on the exact project. These guidelines are only guidelines. Generally speaking, jobs under $2,000 will take less than 3 days and jobs over $2,000 will take 1 working day per $1,000 in contract amount. Projects over $15,000 will receive a more precise schedule because they allow allocation of more workers, which will speed up production.

Will the same people be here every day?

A member of our Leadership Team will be assigned to every project. That individual will be there during all working hours from Day 1 until the final walkthrough at the end of your project. Other team members may vary depending on technical expertise or labor demands that your project requires.

What kind of paints do you use?

We have relationships with nearly every paint manufacturer in the United States. Our preferred vendors include Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and PPG. We also have experience with International, Behr, Valspar, Sikkens, Cabot, AFM Safecoat, XIM, Rustoleum, and General Finishes Wood Finishing Products just to name a few. We will recommend the product that we feel is best for your specific application, but if there is a specification that differs from recommendation, we are happy to work with our clients.

Are you insured?

We have full insurance coverage. This means $2 million in liability to cover anything that may be damaged, $500,000 in commercial auto to cover any damage caused by our owner or employee owned vehicles, $500,000 in Worker's Compensation to cover our employees, and a $2 million umbrella over our entire operation. Also, all of our painters are W-2 employees who would be covered under our insurance. Consumers need to be careful of companies holding insurance certificates, but who then subcontract to another company. If that is the case, both the hiring contractor and subcontractor should be screened for insurance. We will happily list individuals, companies, or specific properties as additionally insured to our policy as well.

Do I need to be there at the time of the estimate?

Yes, you will need to be there. We do not provide "Mailbox" estimates. It is important for us to meet each of our prospective clients prior to providing an estimate. This is in the best interest of all parties involved and will ensure clarity and confidence between contractor and client.

What kind of paint and sealer should I use on concrete flooring?

What kind of paint and sealer should I use on concrete flooring?              You can use an acrylic-based concrete sealer to treat the slab in the basement, then top-coat it with a commercial grade acrylic paint specially formulated for floors. Check with your local paint store and tell them you want the best product for the job. Skimp on price and you'll only wind up making more work for yourself in the future. I have a slate tile floor with a polyurethane finish. It's very attractive, but it scratches easily.

How do I keep the look while protecting my floor?

Unfortunately, there is no real foolproof method. Probably the only way you're going to keep from scratching it is to wear socks when you walk on it. You can't drag your furniture over it - you have to treat it as if it were a hardwood floor. Urethane is going to scratch on that type of floor, and even applying more coats of it won't do the trick. Once slate tiles have been treated with polyurethane, the finish penetrates the pores of the slate and cannot be removed.

Why is there a drastic price difference in some paint choices?

A single gallon of paint can range from $17 (unless on sale) to over $100. The more expensive the paint, the better the quality of ingredients. This can help in making paint last longer, and save you money in the long run.

What can I do to make my paint job last longer?

It’s all in the prep work. Paint will best adhere to a clean, dry surface. We would recommend cleaning the siding and trim with a bucket of warm, soapy water (dish soap is fine). Scrape and sand loose paint down to a smooth base layer. Replace or repair any broken or rotten siding or trim. Fill any holes, and caulk any open joints. If the siding is wood or a chalky surface, prime. Stick with a primer that states “exterior.” Stay in the shade as much as possible and start at the top and work your way down.

Still have questions?