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What Should I Look For In A Painting Contractor?

Whether it is precise inside work or a total exterior makeover, house painting is a project that should be done properly the first time. However, there are hundreds of house painters to select from, making selecting the correct one a daunting task.

What are the qualities of the best house painters? Santa Fe Painters has the answers. We listed five things you should look for to help you find the most suitable contractor for your needs.

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Excellent Recommendations from Customers

Most painters will be able to provide you with references from previous clients. So, take a moment to double-check those. Then, give the person a call and have a brief conversation about their experience.

If it is an external job, see if it is okay if you come by. Have a look at the outside of their home. Take whatever steps are necessary to acquire a feel of how the painting contractor will act while working on your property.

Online Reviews are Generally Positive

Check your potential paint contractor’s online reputation. But take note that reviews on the internet should be treated with a grain of salt. After all, there are two sides to every story. Believe your instincts when it comes to internet reviews. If a review feels genuine to you, trust it.
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A painting contractor with a solid online reputation is likely to be a good painting contractor in real life as well.

Recommendations from Friends and Neighbors 

Consulting with others who have hired a painting contractor is the quickest approach to discover one. If you have friends who have already employed painting professionals, ask them about their experiences. Then, inquire who they would recommend for your house too.

Consider word of mouth. It is a painting contractor’s most effective type of promotion. And those who do the best job generally get the most recommendations.

Good Interview Answers

Though you will not keep them on the phone for hours, any interested painting contractor will take the time to talk to you. They will ask you a few questions about what you want and answer a few of your own.

A house painter’s professionalism is demonstrated via excellent communication. Developing a positive relationship with your painter also allows you to share your objectives and expectations. The success of your house exterior painting project will rely heavily on available communication methods and skills.

The Types Of Paint They Use

Repainting your house is an exciting project. However, it is not something you want to do every few months. Learn about the paints that the contractor uses. Many painters recommend that you ask whether the paints are certified as lead-free. Quality paints ensure that the walls will last a long time before needing to be repainted.

A Comprehensive Assessment

Get an estimate from your potential painting contractor as the last step. Finally, speak with the individual who will be doing the job directly. Remember the questions and concerns discussed in this blog. With this knowledge, you will be able to ask intelligent questions and determine whether or not the painter is a good fit for the position based on their responses. 

It is important to note that these are only estimates. The final cost might be more or cheaper based on various factors. However, having a rough notion of how much you will spend will be a critical determining element.

Pro tip: While cost should not be the deciding element, it may influence the quality and coverage of the project. To determine a fair price for your paintwork, compare multiple offers from various companies. As a general rule, get two or three estimates, each with a full breakdown of the items on the estimate.

Are you looking for interior painting services for your home in Santa Fe, New Mexico? Santa Fe Painters will brighten up your house with a touch of vibrant color! Let us give your walls a fresh look. Call us today! We are excited to work with you.

The Traditional Southwest Style Can be Yours

Are you drawn to the classic Southwestern style of a home?  With some updates and some basic knowledge, you can create a warm and classic look throughout your home.
 
Classic Southwest style is unique in a beautiful way.  It is warm and welcoming, and neutral. It is a combination of Native American and Spanish styles that include natural colors, worn woods and crafted metals. Pastels are not commonly seen in a classic southwest style room. The feel is bright but understated within the walls of the home.  The accessories, furniture and deco are not truly contemporary but somehow stylish.  And at the same time not entirely traditional but old and with a mix of current style.  Commonly a stucco wall is a  backdrop for handcrafted pottery or a classic painting with decorative tin.
 
The use of bold colors along with the muted is the essence of southwest design.  It’s not about the apparent accent piece but the idea of creating a warm yet vibrant space. Gold, red, orange, and bright blue are often on walls. Accessories are handcrafted tile work, tile work and often Native American tapestries.
 
Another common feature is that the furniture is painted with solid colors and then distressed to create the warm feeling associated with the style. The idea is to make the furniture appear old by allowing the finish to show through in a subtle way. The method of sanding, using chains, and hammers allow the appearance of a unique surface.  There is also a product that crackles the paint to reveal the wood beneath.
 
Different types of wooden pieces are also commonly a part of Southwestern style inspired homes. Usually, honey colored or other dark brown finishes are part of the look to embrace the connection of nature. Tables and chairs are often made with heavy legs, allowing them to appear sturdy yet prominent in the room. You will see painted furniture in the inspired room with a white or creamy tone to add a nice soft touch.   Some great colors to blend into the furniture are red, lime green and cobalt blue. Tables and armoires become conversation starters and create visual interest.
 
Handcrafted wrought iron and other ornate metals are widely used in the exterior of southwestern style homes. You can also see inspired shelf brackets, doorknobs, hooks and wall art with the metals. Many handcrafted, hand-painted pottery and sculpted pieces are more noticeable by placing it on a wrought iron stand in a corner.
One of the most popular features is pottery.  It is a crucial element in the tradition of southwestern style homes. The most commonly used pottery for accenting is terracotta, an easily manipulated porcelain material that artists can use endlessly for their work. Commonly, terracotta is seen as a rusty-orange that is to inspire the desert sunset. It can be worked on in its natural state, hand painted, or a little of both to produce a design of pottery that is an integral element in Southwest design.
 
Handcrafted Mexican tiles used for backsplashes, on floors and tabletops, patios, and bathrooms are another well-known element of Southwestern design.  It is usually an intricate pattern that is infused with bright, colorful designs. If you plan on incorporating Mexican tiles in your room, look for handcrafted tiles instead of machine crafted ones. With handcrafted tiles, no two are alike, adding additional visual interest.

The updates to your home with some of these inspiring ideas will not only update your home but create a peaceful and welcoming environment for your family.
 
Reach out to Santa Fe Painting Pros for some inspiration and let the imagination flow.

Common Painting Mistakes To Avoid

 
So you’ve decided to paint a room or hallway in your home. You might consider tackling the job yourself rather than hire residential painters. Before you do, consider a few mistakes people make in painting rooms.
 
1. Purchasing Cheap Brushes and Rollers
 
A home improvement store trip may convince you to buy cheap brushes and rollers, but it will hurt your quality of work in the long run.
 
Cheap paintbrushes can damage your walls. The material on cheap rollers can wear down, causing your paint to go on unevenly. You’re going to have to replace these tools, so investing in quality brushes and rollers initially is a smart way to avoid painting restoration later on.
 
2. Skipping The Prep
 
It is not unusual to be excited about painting a room a new color. But don’t skip the step of preparing the walls. Filling in wrinkles and holes with spackle and waiting for them to dry are two things to do before painting.
 
Also, if you apply the tape to the top and bottom edges of your walls and around your windows and doors, your painted surface will have even, sharp edges. Taking care of your preparation will yield a higher quality product and not require painting restoration.
 
3. Exchanging Painters Tape For Masking Tape
 
Using any tape other than painter’s tape can create problems. This is true with masking tape, too, since it tends to absorb the paint, causing the color to bleed into spaces where you don’t want it.
 
Additionally, masking tape tears quickly while it’s being used, making the job less exact, compared to painter’s tape that won’t absorb color and makes the task more precise. Painter’s tape is resilient and easy to apply to edges and around corners.
 
4. Not Applying Primer
 
It may be tempting to skip the application of primer. However, it holds a definite function since it conceals imperfections and allows you to cover your walls with dark paint efficiently.
 
Also, primer affects the color of your wall by preventing bleed-through of the color underneath.
 
5. Painting Over Wallpaper
 
If you wish to paint a wall covered in wallpaper, it’s recommended that you remove it first. But if you decide to paint over the wallpaper, you need to prime the wall with an oil-based primer first.
 
You should avoid using water-based primer on the wallpaper, as this can cause problems with the glue. Failing to follow this guideline can add a lot of stalling and time to your painting task.
 
6. Not Choosing The Proper Finish
 
The paint finish you select may seem trivial, but it can have a significant impact. If you are painting a high-trafficked area in your home, it is best to pick satin or semi-gloss finish. When it comes to fingerprints and smudges, a semi-gloss or satin finish is easier to clean. On the other hand, a flat finish is more difficult to clean. Knowing what type of finish to use will impact the appearance of your walls long-term.
 
7. Using Incorrect Technique
 
A common mistake is to dip the brush or roller too deep in the paint, which leaves too much on the brush or roller, making it challenging to apply it evenly to the wall.
 
One way to get just adequate paint on the wall at a time is to dip the roller or brush about 1/3 of the way into the paint. Also, work your way down from the top to prevent drips.

​If you pay attention to your painting methodology, you will see that the paint is applied in a consistent, balanced manner.
 
And remember, you can always consult a professional painter in the Santa Fe area if you feel that you have bit off more than your can chew.  It may be wiser to leave it to a professional.

What Type Of Paint Do You Need?

How A House Painter Chooses Paint Type
 
Choosing the type of paint for your house is something a lot of people leave to professional house painters.  However, if you have the time, experience, and dedication, this is something that you may be able to do yourself.  In the long run, it may cut your costs significantly. 
 
The two types of paints that people choose from are oil and latex. Conventional wisdom says that you want to choose oil paints, however, modern latex paints can provide just as much durability as oil did in the past.  This guide will help you pick which one is right for your home.
 
Oil Based Paints For Exterior Painters
 
Old school professional painters sometimes say that oil provides a better finish compared to latex, especially on surfaces that are distressed. Oil based ones are long lasting, and resistant to water.  When they dry, they provide a solid finish, which is why they are the paint of choice for many professional exterior painters. This type is also easy to level, and can stay exposed to the elements longer before it dries. If you are repainting a house that has used oil in the past, it’s best to use oil again.  You will want to stir these frequently as letting them sit can cause the paint to separate and degrade.  Keep in mind that you can’t use any old brush for oil – you have to use specialized rollers and brushes.  These should be designated on the packaging.  Additionally, it tends to yellow in sunlight over time, is flammable, and requires you to use a solvent when cleaning it up. 
 
Latex Based Paints for Exterior Painters
 
Latex paint used to be a hassle for house painters, due to temperature restrictions and consistency issues. However, with improvements in research and development, they have improved greatly, and can be just as long lasting as oil paints.  The main advantage of latex is that they are easier to work with.  They have less odor, dry faster, can be cleaned up using water, are more flexible, they aren’t a fire hazard, and they don’t yellow over time due to sunlight exposure.  They also do better with mold and mildew.
 
However, they do dry much faster than their counterpart, so you have to get the job done quicker before doing it.  Also, there is a difference between exterior and interior types, so you will want to get the proper one.  Additionally, don’t use latex, if you’re covering oil.  If you go this route, you will have to scrape and sand away the other paint before you lay down a new coat.  If your surface isn’t distressed, most professional house painters suggest going the latex route due to its safety and ease of use.
 
How To Know If You Have Oil Or Latex Paint
 
First, find a large, loose chip, and pick it off.  If it’s latex, bending it will provide some give before it shatters.  The opposite is true for oil, which tends to break without much pressure.  If you want a surefire answer, bring it to a paint shop.  They can test it there.  Once again, no matter what paint you are using, you will have to use whatever paint a house painter applied before to prevent improper layering which results in chipping.  It’s also smart to sand and scrape away any excess, old paint, before applying a new layer.  This allows for continuity, and durability no matter what paint you use.
 
So there you have it.  If you decide to do it yourself, or hire a professional house painter that acts as an interior painter, or an exterior painter, you now know which ones are the best for your home.  While all painting requires you to throw down cloths, remove excess paint, and tape off trim, the difference between applying latex and oil is different, and comes with different pros and cons.  Now you can make an informed decision based on your circumstances.