No matter what part of the world you live in, each and every home has its own challenges when it comes to maintaining its paint job. If you live in the desert, that dry air and blistering sun will force your paint to peel and discolor. If you live in a damper area of the world, then the paint is at risk of lumping and bubbling because the moisture in the air does not allow the paint to adhere properly. If you live in an area where it snows in the winter time, there is a good risk of the salt used on the roads eroding your paint.
The thought of painting your home undoubtedly makes you shudder and I bet as you're reading this you have already put off doing it for at least a month. Though any person with a ladder, a brush, and a can of paint CAN paint their home, unless you know the surface you're working with and have a lot of free time, that paint job that you thought would look fantastic can actually end up looking pretty dismal.
If you're interested in saving yourself stress, consider looking around for a professional painter. You can kick start the process by asking the painting supply shop where you have probably gone already to check out paint colors. If you have a general contractor working on your home, or if you know of any in the area, give them a call and ask them about who they would recommend.
You can also check your local newspaper, do a quick Interne search, or check your phone book. Depending on where you live, you will probably receive a number of results. First and foremost, be sure that if you do this that you do get referrals and examples of their previous work. You want to be sure that you're having a quality job done!
It is also important to be sure that the painter is actually licensed to do contract work in your area. Make sure that they are both bonded and they are insured, and that they have a guarantee for the work that they do. Lastly, if using environmentally friendly or "green" materials is important to you, be sure to inquire; painters these days are switching to "green" methods due to environmental concerns.
A good question to ask before you hire on any painter is to mention the type of material that your home is made out of. Ask them how they intend to prepare the surface before starting in on the paint job. If they do not prepare the surface properly, it will peel, flake, or chip easily (which completely defeats the purpose of a good paint job!). Ask them why they use the particular methods that they use too so you can understand the process as well.
If you are satisfied with the response that you have gotten from one or two of your painters, great! Again, be sure to check those references, be sure that you and they have the same budget in mind, and then enjoy the new fresh look your home will have!
