Well first off- during business hours ;). This is a topic that has various answers in different parts of the country with different weather patterns and workforce balances; but here in the PNW we get so many calls for exterior work that people are hoping to get done sometime next week. They are very disappointed to discover that the soonest we can get them in is next summer.
Below I will cover some common misconceptions about when to book a paint estimate! Hopefully this will help you plan out your paint project without any major setbacks! Remember… These are misconceptions- the answer you seek is in the fine print 😉
1. I shouldn’t schedule an exterior paint estimate until my paint fails.
We all want to get the most life out of our paint jobs! (Unless the color is too hideous to behold 😉 ). However, if you wait until the paint is Already peeling, then you’re going to be paying extra anyway. The additional prep-work required to deal with peeling paint adds up! You’re also going to risk damaging your siding if you leave parts of it unfinished and exposed to the elements. (This also costs more…Especially if no one can fit you in until next summer). This is one of those situations where trying too hard to get the most bang for your buck can really backfire.
So how can you tell when your house needs repainted? In general, once your paint has begun to fade, the next thing that happens is it flakes or peels. This blog goes into more depth if you are curious!
2. I should schedule an exterior paint estimate right before I want it done.
In an ideal world, we could talk about painting on the weekend and start the very next week! However, reality is far from that. With all the shortages in our current economy; workers and materials are not so quick to come by. On a good year, exterior season runs from May through October. If you call anytime in that time-frame; expect that you might not get on the calendar until the next May-October. Exterior work books 6-12 months out right now, so it is important to choose a contractor whose business is likely to be around another year. (free tip 😉 )
Sometimes you can call during the winter months (Nov-April) and get in for the upcoming summer. Occasionally you might get lucky and be able to snag a spot even if you call in early summer! Just keep in mind that if you put it off too long; you’ll be stuck with whatever painter you can get and it probably won’t be the one you want! The same rule applies if you have a particular set of dates you want your painting to take place on. If you take too long to book your estimate, you’ll be stuck with whatever dates we can fit you in for! Plan 6-12 months ahead when it comes to scheduling your paint estimate so You can choose the painter you trust!
3. I can use my estimate from 3 years ago to get on the calendar now!
This goes hand in hand with the misconception before this… Say you got your estimate ahead of time just like I advised, but you weren’t quite ready to commit and get yourself on the calendar… So you held onto it a couple years until you were sure you were ready! You call to get on the books annnnnd the unfortunate news is that 3 years is a long time for a paint job. The estimator will likely have to come back and assess the current condition of your paint. If your paint has worn down considerably, extra cost might need to be added for additional prep-work.
Not to mention all the rapid changes in our economy. Everything from wages we pay employees to the cost of our masking tape has gone up. Whatever your estimate had written down for cost of labor and materials is likely not the same. When you schedule your estimate you should be ready to commit to a project in the near future, but also be aware that it might not begin for 6-12 months. If you Are still holding onto an old estimate and you would like to work with that painter still; give them a call! Just remember that the estimate will need adjusted!
4. Interior work doesn’t have a long wait time!
While this is usually true, if you call in the wrong season it is a different story! Here in the PNW a good rule of thumb for interior paint work is to schedule it during the rainy season! If you call for interior work during the summer you will quickly learn that our calendars are filled to the brim with exterior work. We might be able to get you in on a rainy day if one shows up though, so don’t hesitate to call! Just remember the weather is out of our control! If you call about interior work in the rainy season, you can get on the schedule during that same rainy season. No problem.
5. I’m going to sell my house so I should wait until I’m ready to list it!
The Fresher the Better right?! Its common for people to repaint their house before selling to boost curb appeal and profit! Sometimes people know they will be selling their house and moving in the summer and would like a full re-paint (interior and exterior) but want to hold off on the interior work until they are out of the house. At the time of the estimate; they’re not exactly sure when that will be. I have Good news! Because we can not control the wind and weather, our schedule is “approximate” until its right down to go-time.
If you call and get on the books, we can move your project around here or there as needed. If you wait until you are ready to list your house to scramble and find a painter…. well… That is just added stress to an already busy time and we likely will not be able to help you even if we want to. Same rule applies! Try to plan 6-12 months ahead if you can!
Maybe the last time you had your house painted you didn’t have to plan so far ahead. Maybe you lived somewhere sunny and exterior work was a year round thing so it just didn’t occur to you. Hopefully this blog helps you see the current reality of the PNW painting season. We are doing our best at Sir Paints a Lot to keep up with demand! If you realized while reading this that it is time to book your paint estimate- click HERE to schedule with us! Thank you!
While there are many improvements you can make on your home, nothing quite compares to the benefits offered by an exterior paint job. Exterior painting in Eugene is an inexpensive and transformative way to improve your home. It not only upgrades the appearance of your home but also protects it against the elements.
If you’re considering repainting your home’s exterior, but you’re not sure if the investment is worth it, here are the top five benefits of exterior painting to help you make up your mind.
1. Improves Aesthetic Appeal
As a homeowner, keeping your home painted makes it appealing. It is also an opportunity to choose your favorite color for the exterior if you don’t like the current one. Even if you’re in love with your current color scheme, exterior paint often needs to be re-applied after a few years because it eventually fades, flakes and peels.
An aesthetically appealing home is a natural source of pride for any homeowner and their family. Additionally, the appearance and status of your home impact the overall home value of your neighborhood or street, so repainting is also a neighborly thing to do.
2. Better Curb Appeal
Repainting your home is the quickest and easiest way to improve its curb appeal. It will give your home a fresh new look and cover any signs of weather damage and aging. If you’re planning to sell your home any time soon, a better curb appeal will not only help you to sell your home faster but also at a reasonably high price.
Curb appeal is all about setting the right tone when a prospective buyer sees your home for the first time. If they like the exterior when driving by, they’ll be far more likely to come in and check out the rest of the home, which increases your chances of getting a better price.
3. Protects Your Home from the Elements
Natural elements can be quite damaging to your house, and living in Eugene doesn’t make it any better. Wind, snow, rain sleet, and even fire are just a few of the elements that can wreak havoc to your siding. The best exterior paint job can stand up against these elements for a much longer time, keeping your siding protected.
Exterior paint is like an external shield coating for your home’s siding. It stops the dampness from leaking into your house and mold and mildew from damaging your siding. Essentially, it adds an extra layer of protection against the rainy and damp conditions, and could even stop bugs from invading through the siding.
4. Extends the Lifespan of Your Existing Siding
A new paint job can help increase the lifespan of your siding, despite which material is used. Many types of exterior sidings, such as concrete and wood, need to be replaced to maintain their good looks and protection properties. If repainting your exterior can extend the life of your siding even for just a few years, you can end up saving even thousands of dollars in future expenses.
Additionally, brand-new paint can hide or briefly repair minor damages that your old siding has endured. Minor siding imperfections can be covered by paint. You can also use this opportunity to repair major damages such as missing caulking, rotted wood, or a stucco siding with missing patches. Note, however, that exterior painting is not a substitute for siding repair.
5. Increases Your Home’s Value
Making your home look beautiful and appealing has a direct financial benefit. When inspection and appraisal are being done on your home, a recent home repaint can significantly increase the final value. Other significantly expensive home renovations, such as a kitchen remodel offers just about 80% return on investment. That means a kitchen remodel worth $10,000 will increase your home’s value by an average of $8,000.
On the other hand, exterior painting can offer a return of up to140%. So if you spend $1,000 on house painting, you can expect your home’s value to increase by $1,400. This means you earn about $400 extra value on your paint job.
Bottom line
As you can see, repainting your home offers many more benefits than you might have imagined. Other than making it appealing, it protects your siding against elements and eventually increases your home’s value
If you need any professional help with the exterior or general residential painting in Eugene, our team at Sir Paints A Lot can help. Simply call us on 541-600-2025 or book now to get started.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, there are many different ways the weather can manifest damage on your home. It is important to know what to look for when assessing your home for weather damage. I thought I would lay out some of the warning signs that your home may need to be repaired or repainted. Here are some of the warning signs of common weather damage here in the Northwest:-”Chaulking” paint: A milky look to the finish, usually on the south and west sides of the house as they are the sides that often get the most sun and rain. This is a sign that the paint has failed and needs to be refinished. There are many contributing factors to this process but it has been my experience that the quality of the paint product that is used is the biggest determining factor. -Peeling Paint: Once the paint has lost its integrity it will need to be removed and, in most cases, primed. This process is more labor intensive the longer a person waits to have it done, and it can lead to rot if neglected long enough. In the case of siding that is real wood, the finish is the only thing protecting it. Once this process has started it is important to take action to combat further degradation. -Mold and mildew: The severity of this problem does vary. This can also be caused by an overabundance of bushes and trees too close to your home. If you have had your house painted in the last few years, with a quality product, you should be able to remove the mold and mildew with a pressure wash and some type of cleaner. If you are unable to remove without damaging the paint it then you may need to repaint. -Rot: Rot is easily the most serious of these warning signs. It can spread quickly and be quite expensive to repair. It is most commonly found on the trim around windows, facia behind gutters where there is a leak, and failed flashing (metal designed to keep water from penetrating your home). Frequently these are easy, and often inexpensive, fixes if caught early. Though it is pretty common for a small rot repair to turn into a much larger project if neglected for any significant amount of time. So take some time to look for some of these warning signs on your own home. If you see something that looks like what I have described, then it may not be a bad idea to have a professional take a look at it. It could save you a substantial amount of money in the long run. Click here to book your appointment today on our self-serve calendar!
