Getting Three Estimates
Painting is not a commodity.
It is not a product that can be bought and sold like a can of cola or a box of cereal sitting
on a store shelf, with another store down the road selling the same thing at a lower price.
"Getting three estimates" is not how you choose the best painter, but it seems to be the way to choose the best price.
Painting contractors and painters, advertised a legitimate professional service, and delivered professional results.
They
were qualified craftsmen competing for work, and it made sense when people who needed a painter got three estimates when comparing
pricing - because people were comparing three estimates from qualified professionals.
However
In today's market, there
are thousands of "so-called" painting contractors out there, with most of them employing the unqualified, or sub contracting
their work to the lowest bidder.
Although they may be wearing painter's pants and have a nice logo on their fancy business
card, only a very few are qualified to be called a painter.
The un-qualified are competing against each other in a pricing
war, because they make money even if they have to price low or give a discount, because they aren't going to do the work
anyway.
How can anyone compare the cost of the real thing with the cost of an imitation of the real thing, regardless
if the price is higher, lower, or even the same?
In today's world, If you want a low price, it's out there, it's real easy
to find, and you will find it - and you can find someone to even beat your lowest price.
..but if you want a professional,
you need to shop for a professional
- and they are not easy to find.
By simply typing the words "Painters", or "painting contractors" into your browser, you can scroll through thousands
of websites claiming to be the best in the trade, and all of them seem to use these three words as part of their advertising
campaign;
Professional
• Characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession.
Craftsmanship
• Skill in an occupation or trade.
Quality
• Having a high degree of excellence.
What ever happened to "Truth in Advertising"?
Why is it that people use words like; "professional", "craftsmanship", and "quality" - when they're not?
...It's because honesty, integrity, business ethics, and pride in one's work is a fading memory of yester-year and money
seems to be the only concern on both sides of the coin.
Knock Offs, Fakes, Replicas and Reproductions
There is no catagory of merchandise, product, service, or food that is not included, including the painting industry.
This
is an IMMENSLY HUGE, BIG business rip-off.
It is the purposeful deception used to secure unfair or unlawful gain. It
is the advertisement or sale of an imitation, a likeness, or a COPY of something that is NOT what the
seller claims it to be, and may often sell for less than what the real thing would cost.
It is with intent to win your
trust by using a RECOGNIZABLE BRAND or by using your trusting FAMILIARITY of something that is either POPULAR or IN DEMAND.
Why would anyone do such a thing?
It's because of Money.
Everyone wants money, and they look around to see who
is making money, and then they copy what is already working.- If a cup of brand name quality coffee sells for five dollars,
why not open up your own coffee business, and use a similar logo, or maybe the original logo of a popular brand - altered
just enough to make it your own - this will attract customers to a familiar logo that they know - maybe you can make five
dollars per cup. Of course, if you don't know the recipe for the famous coffee, your business may not do as well, and maybe
people might notice your logo actually says "Sun Bucks".
- If a popular convenience store rakes in thousands of
dollars a day selling cigarettes, hotdogs, pizza, chicken wings, frozen slushy drinks and sodas, etc.., why not copy how they're
set up - As long as you look like the real thing it just might work - or maybe not.
- Does anyone even know who
"Snooby" is? The above charactor sure looks familiar - could it be one of his brothers maybe? I'd probably buy one.
Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame-seed bun. - I
sincerely doubt it.
- I guess it really doesn't matter where you eat lunch, it's all the same isn't it? King Burger, Burger King, what's
the difference? They must be selling the same things.
- I don't usually drink, but when I do, I drink "Johnny
Worker". Did you notice I didn't say "Johnny Walker", but hey - what's the difference? The quality must be the same?
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So then... Who is the competition anyway?
The Fake Painting Company
If it's a money maker, scam artists will always find a way to get in on it.
Realizing that the painting market is a 10 billion dollar a year industry, advertisers and investors came up with the "painting
franchise" sometime in the early 1980's, so that they could get their share of a big money pile, if not simply corner the
market.
In the beginning, the franchise strategy of offering the consumer a cheaper priced paint job by sub contracting
the work out cheap, caused many real painting contractors to go out of business because the real professionals just simply
couldn't compete with the low ball franchise pricing.
A painting franchisee owner doesn't need to be a painter, and may know absolutely nothing of the trade, and will most likely
never even hold a brush in his hand.
These people are marketing salesmen, they are not painters.
Their job is
to land sales (lots of sales), and at unbelievably low prices.
They then sub-contract all the work, usually to unqualified
college kids, or illegal day laborers - Licensed or not, Insured or not.
In the beginning, they were counting
on you
to accept their low priced bid, often times with contract in hand for you to sign and give them a
deposit - RIGHT NOW, but over the years, they have learned to price work at the same price a true professional would charge.
They
are eagerly willing to take full advantage of the un-educated consumer, hungry illegal day laborers, and an industry they
don't belong in - Just to make a quick buck.
None of them are a choice any educated person would make, none of them are
certified pro, none of them are multi-star.
They are franchises, they subcontract everything.
The franchise owners are supported by investors who help pay for the advertising and do the marketing (direct mail, radio,
billboard, lawn signs), using choice words such as; "Career professional painters", "Best", "Quality workmanship", "Pro",
"Certified", "Expert", "full time seasoned professionals", etc, (and hundreds of awesome catchy words and slogans to give
the consumer confidence in them.)
It's amazing that any of them could possibly offer deals such as HALF PRICE off on labor/paints
AND materials, and other franchises advertise RUSHING to get your project done in less time than it really should take.
A franchisee has to pay recurring fees, royalties, and monthly dues to the franchise, so in order to make ends meet, under-pricing
work is not un-common at all.
The idea is to get your attention to the great price, and if everyone who wants a painter
is going for the great price, then the work is continuously lined up.
The people who actually do the work get paid
nearly nothing, (and are usually NOT qualified as painters).
Since (most) people are already programmed to go with the lower price, the percentage of money the franchisee gets from
each job, combined with all those jobs he's lined up, equals small shovels of money, → to wheelbarrows full of money,
→ to truck loads of money, etc...
There is only one winner in this scam, and it's the franchise; everyone else loses,
especially the customer.
The franchise owners get rich on franchisee fees, percentage takes, and royalties from the poor fool who bought into them
and can't get out; the un-qualified painters they hire (who are completely responsible for your project from start to finish
- qualified or not, Licensed or not.) get paid so little; they really have no interest if your project is done the right way
or not.
...and they will hurry, cut corners, thin the material, use cheaper material, skip proper procedure, rush through
in less time it should take, etc..,
in order to finish your project and get paid their few dollars so that they can move
on to the next sub contract job.
The worst part is:
Many other contractors, (including painting contractors) are aware of this scam,
and they are doing the exact same thing;
they are sub contracting to the unqualified.
This scam has evolved to include new painting franchises AND new painting companies popping into existence from people who
have no background in the field at all.
Contractor Referral Websites
When searching the internet for any home service, you might notice the very first listings on the
page that are advertising the exact home service you are searching for.
These are "contractor referral websites", and they
offer you "pre-qualified", "top-rated" "professionals".
Home service contractors such as electricions, plumbers, painters
and appliance repair contractors buy memberships to be placed on these websites, and will get leads passed to them.
The
more money a contractor invests in the referral website, the higher recommendation they receive from the website (Bronze
Member, Silver Member, Gold Member, etc..).
Any contractor can easily be "Top Rated" and the rating would have absolutely
nothing to do with great Service, Quality, or Craftsmanship; and DOES have everything to do with;
HOW MUCH MONEY the contractor pays the referral service.
"Pre-screened" contractors?
Are you kidding me?
These contractor
referral websites check only one thing; "Did the membership payment go through, and is the contractor paying extra for the
"top listing?"
Why Pay For Her Review List?
Wouldn't it be great to read Real Reviews from Real People, and see where a company rates on service and reliability with
a grading system from "A" to "F"?
Wouldn't it be great to know what people are really saying about the company?
Can
you imagine how many people would actually pay for a "non biased" service like the one described above?
Do you know how
many people actually do pay for this service?
Sorry, but you have all been deceived.
Yes, contractors "can't pay" to be listed.
Thats because contractors don't have to pay to be listed,
contractors are listed for FREE, its
a deceiving play on words that sends a message to fool you, and insinuates that they are "weeding out" the
"evil contractors" who might hope to pay for a listing.
They dont tell you the Truth...
But to say that contractors "can't pay to be listed", is not a lie either.
Isn't
NOT telling the truth considered a Lie?
...but contractors can pay for an enhanced listing that comes with special privileges.
The correct wording they should be using might be;
"We don't charge contractors for a free listing on our web site, but
we do charge the consumer to review their listing, and if the contractor decides to enhance their listing, we place them above
all others - We're making double the money on false promises, deceptive word play, and outright LIES". (Does this sound non
biased to you?)
...and what does paying to be listed have to do with anything anyway?
Anyone can very easily create fake accounts
with fake names and fake emails (yes, they're doing that), and then pay the membership fee for each account.
A one time
fee of $500.00 invested can purchase at least ten fake accounts, meaning ten AWSOME reviews written by the contractor himself
using made up names, which will increase trust with potential buyers, boost website rankings, and make that contractor "top
rated" on that referral website, and all the while that bogus review web site rakes in billions on people who believe everything
they hear.
...and if a contractor just happens to get a bad review from a person they never even worked for, never even contracted
with, and never even heard of, the contractor is given a review of an "F", which can not, and will not be
removed.
The ONLY way to get the "F" Grade up, would be to either promote the "non-bias review web site"
and urge customers to join (money, money, money) and write a "kind" review for the contractor, or maybe the contractor himself
would need to purchase several bogus accounts and get his ratings back up with his own great reviews.
What About The "Best Picks" Report?
I think this started a few years ago when we received a mailer catalog with the "Best Picks" of
contractors in the area. We obviously were not listed, and were curious to know why.
We did a little research on these people,
and under the "FAQ" of their very own website, it says exactly this:
"How are the publications funded?
"Once research is complete, contractors that excel in each category have the option of participating in the Best Pick program.
Those who choose to participate receive the Best Pick designation and authorize EBSCO Research to include their names in its
annual publication. Participation in the Best Pick program is completely voluntary and includes
a fee to publicize the rating established by our independent research. Good companies that decide not to participate can promote
their business through their own marketing efforts."
"Promote their business through their own marketing efforts."
Additionally:
"We
never accept references, letters of recommendation, write-in reviews, or third-party references in our research."
...and
we know why..
The contractors who decide not to pay the money to be listed, are not listed in the "Best Pick" book,
and so the next contractor gets his chance to pay to be listed as "the best".
Pay to be listed as "the best".
Pay to
be listed as the best...
We would almost complain to the "authority" on good business practices, but since all of these businesses
, including the one that's supposed to be warning us of scam companies, make money from contractors and/or homeowners - how
are you to trust anyone?
See this article
"Pay for play"
ALL OF THEM are about collecting money - so that a business can be rated an "A", to be advertised as "Number 1", to be
listed in a book as the "Best Pick", or proclaimed "Top of our list".
There is no such thing as an honest review site.
There is no such thing as a non-bias reporting system to let you know which contractor you really need to hire.
If you
are relying on someone else to do your homework for you, you are not getting the truth.
Oh but it gets worse...
Due to the lack of jobs in the U.S.A., many new contractors have suddenly
appeared on the internet, and are advertising "professional" services. (Open a new browser window, type in "Craigslist", select
"Jobs", type in "painter", and you will see them - especially in the Spring time). The majority of them are "fly by night"
and are looking to sub the work out.
The trusting consumer has had no idea, and is very often left with a finished project that fails before it should, or is inferior
than standard.
As a further deception...
Painting franchises (and contractors of all sorts) make sure that their
un-licensed, un-insured, un-qualified, under-paid work crews who they "sub" to, wear [their] company T-Shirt with [their]
company brand logo, and drive [their] company vehicle with [their] company logo on it, even though the workers ARE NOT Real
employees; they are not covered by insurance, they are not covered by workers compensation, they do not work for the company
- they are sub contracting.
it all looks so real...
...and what about
Google places is where anyone who owns a business can sign up and
list their business for FREE with Google's local web search results.
Both the contractor and the client can post pictures;
write reviews, comments, etc..
We know of one particular painting contractor in Northern Virginia who recently appeared
in Google's search results when searching for painting contractors locally.
At last check, they had nearly FORTY awesome reviews on their Google Places
site, at least TWO great reviews for each and every month (since they went into business a few years ago),
...and each
GREAT review is written by blue faceless people with no last names or addresses, just names like; "Bob", "Bill", "Mary", "Stacey",
"John", etc...
...and we found yet another business in the beginning of 2014 that JUST appeared on the scene with a whole bunch of fake
testimonials on their BRAND NEW website - Do they really think people are that naïve?
...and then there's the "Google Plus page" scam:
Dishonest contractors create several "Google plus" accounts using completely made up / fake names...then write five star reviews
for their company, often times in conjunction with "Yelp".
People are very often decieved into thinking that everyone who advertises a service is Qualified, and conducting a legitimate
business while providing the professional service that's advertised, but not all of them are.
With today's technology, the
dishonest ones can easily be rated as the best.
Although many (contractors) appear to be a "real painting company", and
have great "reviews", many of them know that you won't do your own research before contacting them.
The days of "getting three estimates" to compare painting prices are gone, because not everyone is selling the same thing,
and comparing the cost of an imitation to the real thing just doesn't work.
AVOID THE SCAM:
When we place an ad to hire a painter for our company, we do research - shouldn't you do the same?
Research a company before you hire them.
Every true professional painter has a confirmable history in the field of
working in their trade.
True professional painters are well known, they have hundreds of customers who will vouch for
them, and they have a documented HISTORY of where they've gained their experience. Research a company before you
hire them. Check with the State licensing board,
it shows you what other company names they might go by - and if they
are even licensed at all, and WHEN they became licensed. Research a company before you hire them. Check with your
local Better Business Bureau.
Even when companies don't join, the Bureau keeps records on who they are and when they appeared.
Do a few searches on the internet to see what comes up when you type in their phone number, the owner's name, and/or
their business name. Research the owner's name / the company name, with the word "review", or "scam".
People
will always warn others of bad service.Don't trust "Reviews" or "Customer Testimonials" that are posted on a business's
personal website.
Think about it for a minute, when was the last time YOU wrote a review and had your name listed on the
internet? Reviews should be considered questionable.
A jack of all trades can not be a master of anything:
If you hire a general contractor, chances are very good
that they will be sub-contracting your project, ...and if you hire a specific type of contractor (such
as a deep cleaning oriental carpet cleaning company, electric, plumbing, moving company, etc..)
...and they are also
providing painting/drywall and/or deck cleaning /power washing / sealing services...
Um,
Do you really think so (?),
or are they ALSO trying to get in where THEY DON'T BELONG?
Be aware, be careful, and keep in mind...:
Although fine feathers do indeed make fine birds, a pair of painter's pants and a paint brush, does not make someone a painter
- anymore than wearing a suit can make someone a Lawyer.
Today's Paints
In today's world, we have many types of paints (and methods of applying paints) for Interior, Exterior, Commercial, and Industrial
painting needs, and allthough the days of linseed oil and alkyds are fading away, the improvements in paint mixes today are
more user friendly, they are safer for the environment, they are quicker drying, have a better color holding retention, they
last longer, some are self priming, most are low V.O.C., some are no V.O.C., and there is low or no odor.
There are Epoxies,
faux finsh, chalkboard, glow in the dark, swimming pool, wall projector, textured, metal (looking) paints and patinas of all
kinds.
Yes, alkyd oil is still available, and still in use, but now offers lower V.O.C.'s.
Preparation of walls has evolved to cater to gypsum board (drywall),and although the plaster expert of yesteryear is no longer
needed as much in today's construction, ther are still a few who know how it's done (Painting Incorporated has plaster experts
who can take care of your plaster needs).
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Wall Preparation
Not every room is going to have blemish free walls, so the amount of time involved to get them ready for paints will vary.
We are experts in getting walls ready for finishes. We can fix your drywall irregularities, get rid of water spots, take care
of water damaged drywall, repair those cracks, replace sections, or hang new drywall.
Cigarette smoke, pipe, cigar, and
fire damage can leave walls looking dingy and making the area smell bad. We can fix it, and you would never even know it's
previous condition.
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Drywall Repairs
Although a truly awsome interior painting project includes quality paints (and it helps if the person applying them is Qualified
too), drywall repair is what makes the difference, it is the real job when it comes down to a perfect house painting project,
and paint is just the icing on the cake.
Preparation prior to applying paints is the key for a successful paint job.
You may not think you have a need for drywall repairs, but we can show them to you.
Drywall repairs are different for each house painting project and office interior painting we do, and for very good reason;
not eveyone is going to need the same amount of drywall repairs. Some walls already look fine, except for a few mishaps, while
others may have more issues that need to be taken care of.
Then, there is the cost. How much time do you want to invest in the preparation? Time is money, and the amount of time to
get somthing done is reflected in the cost of having drywall repairs made.
...more on drywall repairs.
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Wall Paper Removal
Removing wallpaper can sometimes be a real pain.
If you're lucky, the people who hung the wallpaper used a "wall size" prior to hanging. Wall size is a product that is applied
to seal up the wall and make hanging the paper a whole lot easier, and the paper will come off easier when you want it to.
However, if a wall size wasn't initially used, or the wallpaper is old, removing it can sometimes be very tricky. There are
several techniques we use in removing wallpaper, depending on conditions. We are expert wallpaper removers. If you can't do
it, or don't want to, give us a call and hire the experts!
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What Color Should I Paint My Ceiling?
Who says your ceiling can't be a different color?
Color on a ceiling works in so many ways, and
if you know a muralist or faux finisher, you can do all sorts of cool ideas like clouds or stars - there's no limit.
...although
people paint their ceilings white.
Painting a ceiling white not only opens the room up, but it tends to reflect more light. Rooms with white ceilings look even
better when you use white on all the wood trim, it kind-of makes the area "pop", and it looks very handsome.
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What Color Should I Paint My Room?
When it comes to coloring a room, there is no wrong way -
if it makes you happy, that's all that counts.
Take a look around and try to stay with a color that will compliment something in the area that will stay; this could be curtains,
a carpet, the portrait or picture on the wall, a bedspread, a throw rug, etc...
Sometimes accenting a wall (or walls) with a complementary color looks real nice.
One idea is to pick up a few decorator
magazines next time your stuck in line at the grocery store.
Although we can suggest colors for you, the ultimate descission is yours.
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Paint Quality
The ingredients that goes into a paint when manufactured, is what gives the paint it's Quality, and cost.
The more simple to make a paint, the cheaper it will cost you.
When a paint is made with more pigments, or has a high level of sheen, or offers binder properties that are low odor, no odor,
or fast drying, the paint will cost more. A darker colored paint will also cost more money than a lighter colored paint due
to the additional pigments that are added.
A place you might find good quality paints is in your home or office, while a place you would find low quality paints would
be brand new homes, building construction, apartment turns, and rental properties.
There are reasons to have good quality and low quality paints.
Good Quality holds color longer, and lasts longer.
Low
Quality covers well, and is cheap.
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Commercial Interior Painting
Painting Incorporated provides commercial interior painting in all of Northern Virginia. This includes; schools, garages,
apartment communities, condominiums, office buildings, offices, warehouses, stores, churches, and hospitals. We can work with
epoxies, industrial paints, latex, odor free, brush, roll, spray.
Most office buildings keep their office colors in the light pastel ranges, usually in a blue / gray. This is because the color
"blue" is known to increase productivity. Hallways, reception areas, meeting rooms, and restrooms can be, and should be, a
different color.
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Residential Interior Painting
Painting Incorporated is a full service Residential interior painting contractors. We employ the finest house painters
in Northern Virginia, providing exceptional custom interior painting. Quality, Craftsmanship, and Experience.
At Painting Incorporated, we are skilled at finding drywall irregularities, repairing them, and applying paints.
Our interior house painting professionals take the time to do things right the first time!
For your residential interior house painting needs, and for your commercial office painting needs, invest in your home, invest
in you office, get real interior painters, call Painting Incorporated.
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Paint Finish Types
Paints are available in a varity of finish types. There are texured, metalic, chalkboard, glow in the dark, and movie projector
paints, just to name a few. Some paints are only designed for a specific reason, such as faux finishing paints, Inteiror /
Exterior paints, swimming pool paints, and high temperature paints.
The most common paints found in your home are listed below, starting with the LEAST shine, or sheen, upto the highest shine
level;
Flat paints
Flat paints are great for interior ceilings because they have no sheen at all, and anything with a sheen
in it will accent the irregularities.
Flat paints are commonly used on new interior construction painting because they
are generally the least expensive of all finish types, with some manufacturers providing awsome coverage and stain blocking
abilities.
Flat paints can also be used as a handy primer over drywall joint compound.
Matte Flat
Depending on which manufacturer makes the Matte Flat paint, it is usually not Flat (although the
name seems to imply that it is) but has a slight sheen to it (a lower sheen than that of Satin). Matte Flat is considered
to be "washable".
Matte Flat is also great used as a projector wall paint because it offers just enough sheen to be washable,
yet still considered Flat enough to keep the glare down when a projector is being used.
Eggshell
Eggshell paint is a good wall paint and can be used in any room in your house, including the kitchen and
bath.
Eggshell paint has (about)the same sheen level as an egg shell in your refridgerator egg carton. Eggshell paints
have a slightly higher sheen than Matte Flat, and are alot more durable.
Satin
Satin paints have just enough shine in them to softly reflect light in a room.
Satin paint has more of a
noticable sheen than Eggshell paints, but as the sheen level gets more intense, the durability goes up.
Semi Gloss
Semi Gloss paints have a definite shine to them, and are great for accentuating wood trim such as doors,
baseboards, window frames, etc...
Gloss
Gloss paints have alot of shine. Gloss paints used on wood house trim REALLY accentuate, and make everything
very glossy.
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