Is your company bonded and insured?
Our company and its employees are covered under our workers’ compensation insurance and $2,000,000 of general liability coverage. Bonding is a process usually used in commercial projects, we do this on a case by case basis.

Are you licensed?
We are licensed Class B Contractors in Johnson County. While much of the work we do doesn’t require a permit, some cities do require one for certain types of projects. For instance, some wood rot repairs in Leawood require a permit! Siding and window project may as well. In order for a permit to be pulled on these types of projects, a contractor must be licensed. Licenses are not just purchased; they must be EARNED and maintained!

What forms of payments do you accept?
We accept personal checks, cashier’s checks, money orders and cash. With the fees that credit card companies charge, we would have to add 3-5% to our proposals to cover the fees. That could add $250.00 to our average job price.

Can you just come by my house and leave a quote in the door?
We prefer a face to face consultation. We have no way of knowing exactly what you want the finished outcome to be. Instead of guessing what you are looking for, we walk around your home with you and actually LISTEN to your ideas and concerns. It also allows us to point out issues we find and suggest a proper long term solution.

Do you use subcontractors?
Yes and no! Our painters, siding & window installers and carpenters are all employees. They are background checked, drug tested and have passed the E-VERIFY check. We do use reputable companies for guttering and garage door installation services.

Do you require down payments?
It depends on the type of project. Many of our projects are payable upon substantial completion. We do require deposits on window and siding projects. Siding deposits are due on the day we start your project, window deposits are due when the order is placed. All of this will be included in your contract. We never ask for money to guarantee a spot on the schedule!

I saw a flyer for college student painters, is this a good option?
We don’t believe so and here’s why. Most of these companies are franchises that are locally run by college students. Ownership of these franchises change on a regular basis because the owners generally aren’t going to college to be painters! By definition, they can only be in business for 2-3 years and only when school is not in session. These are generally NOT considered professional painters! We’re all for students making money, but where are they going to be when you need warranty work? They are geared to churn as many jobs as possible in a limited amount of time. There just isn’t a great likelihood of a high level of quality.

 

My last painter disappeared for days on end, is this normal?
Not for us! There are times when we need to do touch ups on a previous project, but you will be notified if and when that is necessary. Our general policy is for the same crew to work every workday until your project is complete. Sometimes weather dictates our work schedule, but we stay in touch and keep you in the loop whenever possible.

My home was built before 1978, are you a licensed lead contractor?
Paint Pro, Inc. is licensed in Kansas and Missouri as a RRP contractor. We do not do lead abatement and are not licensed to do so. We are trained to perform the proper protection and dust containment necessary to minimize the occupant’s exposure to lead. Using a non-licensed contractor may save you money, but the effects on you or future owners are not worth the savings.

Your price is higher than the other guy’s, why is that?
We’ll be happy to look at a competitor’s proposal to see if the scope of work is different than ours. Unfortunately all proposals and painting projects are not created equal! There are no “short cuts” in our process! We list every process and material that will be used on your project. When the prep work is not properly performed, the best paint in the word will fail. To us, that is unacceptable.

The other painter gave us a lump sum for the wood rot, is that normal?
It may be normal, but that’s not the way we do it here. If there turns out to be more damage than the contractor originally thought, he is motivated cut corners in order to make a profit. Typically, using fillers and small pieces of trim to replace rotten wood is the norm. It may save money now, but the problems WILL return in the near future. Our proposals detail what repairs are included and how much they will cost. Yes, there are times we find additional damage, but we’d rather do the job right the first time instead of performing a “band-aid” repair.

My last painter quoted one price then added additional work on the final invoice, do you do that as well?
No we don’t! There are times when additional work is uncovered or the customer adds work to be done over and above the original contract. When this happens, we will issue a change order and the price will be agreed upon by all parties BEFORE the work is performed.

What steps do you take to keep my house clean?
We are guests in your home and we intend to keep our work areas clean. At the end of our workday, we will either put our tools in a pre-determined area inside your home or return it to our on-site trailer. We clean up our trash and waste on a daily basis and spend extra time at the end of the job to perform a thorough clean. Plastic sheeting and drop cloths are used to keep your flooring, furniture, landscaping and other items clean.

Do you place a dumpster in front of our home?
No we don’t. We typically have a jobsite trailer in front of your home that holds our tools and materials and even some of the waste. When that isn’t enough, we will bring our dump truck by and pick up the scrap as needed. Sometimes there will be a small debris pile, but it will be contained to a small area until the dump truck arrives to haul it away.

Isn’t hand painting better than spraying?
For more than 15 years, we have not found that to be true. Each different surface may require a different method of finish application. On most surfaces, a thicker, more even coat can be applied with a sprayer when used by an experienced painter. We’ve had finishes last almost 10 years when using this method. Certain surfaces, such as rough stucco, should be backrolled to make sure the new finish gets in all of the cracks and valleys. The application method on your project should be spelled out in the scope of work.

Do you sell Lifetime Paint Coatings?
All of our paint suppliers have some type of “lifetime” coating. While these coatings are superior to a standard 100% Acrylic coating, the price difference can be as much as $20.00 per gallon. Most of these coating warranties do not include fading or water infiltration, which is usually what triggers an exterior repaint. For the money, it’s our opinion that most of our customers won’t benefit from the additional cost involved. Remember, with any paint warranty, labor is not included! Even if you do have a successful claim, they will give you enough paint to cover those areas and that’s all!

 

Ok, so how long should an exterior paint job actually last?
The correct answer is: it depends! In the Midwest, the standard answer is between 5 and 7 years. The biggest factor affecting the longevity is the sun. If you don’t have much or any shade, your home will fade much faster than if it were protected. Darker colors also fade faster than lighter ones. Some surfaces also hold paint better than others. With shaded areas, if they can’t dry out on a regular basis, moisture can find its way in and cause damage.

When does the exterior painting season begin?
Every Spring is different. The big factors are temperature and precipitation. There are paints out there that allow for painting to be performed as low as 35 degrees. That doesn’t mean the HIGH is 35 degrees, but a minimum of 35 degrees. In those temperatures, paint doesn’t dry too quickly. If the temperature drops below 35 degrees too soon, your new paint job may be jeopardized. Our goal is to finish your project as soon as possible, but extended periods of rain may affect that. If we don’t think we can finish in a reasonable amount of time, we may hold off on starting the project until we can.

Siding and Windows in the winter? Are you crazy?
Crazy? Nope! We keep our employees busy all year around. One of the ways we do this is by installing siding and windows in the winter. With many window projects, there is big hole in your wall for only a few minutes. The new window is measured and ready for installation before the old one is completely removed. Siding can be installed in almost any temperature. We just can’t apply the caulk and paint until the temperature rises. Yes, this leaves small gaps, but with the housewrap installed behind the siding, there is little air infiltration.