Example:
You get a bid from two different companies.  One company (Company A) offers the cheapest price, while Company B offers the best value and quality paint job.

Company A
Bid: $2200
Paint job lasts 3-4 years.
Cost: $550/year for 4 years.*
*This doesn’t take into account that the improper preparation work will cause further damage to the surface that will necessitate additional work with the next paint job, and potentially, repairs beyond painting to the surfaces.

Company B
Bid: $3200
Paint job lasts 7-9 years.
Cost: $355/year for 9 years.

As you can see, the paint job that is the cheapest up-front actually costs more, about $200 a year more!  And that is just in the cost of the paint job!

To find an affordable paint job, you need to find a company focused on preparation work to the surface.   Many companies compete on price, but to offer the lowest price, they need to skip corners; including improper preparation work, using low quality products, and lowering customer service.  However, McGuyver Painting Specialists take care to make sure every paint job is done correctly, with high quality products, and excellent customer service, all at a value price!

Northern Colorado painting begins with one very important consideration: the location of the project. Interior and exterior surfaces often require completely different paint choices. If you have browsed the aisles at your local home improvement stores, you may have noticed that some cans of paint say “interior” and some say “exterior.” There is a difference in chemical composition, and the two should never be used in the areas for which they were not intended. Additionally, they also come in a variety of types for each of these locations. Your professional contractor will know what to use in each location.

Painting in northern Colorado also requires thinking about the geographic location of your home. People assume that all paint responds that same way throughout the country. Nothing could be further from the truth! Each region affects the performance of the products. This could be due to humidity, or lack of, days of sunshine per year, or lack of. Even elevation can affect the performance of paint. Also, the surroundings of your house can play a part, whether you are exposed to the elements or sheltered by the trees, for example. Your best resource comes from local professionals who have learned the best choices for your area.

Colorado painting presents a third element to factor into the equation for painting in northern Colorado is the time of year. You must choose to start and complete the house painting project when the weather is appropriate for the job. Some products do not respond well in cold climates. The composition of paint is such that is has to “cure” properly for maximum durability and attractiveness. If the weather interferes with the process, the paint will be damaged. Therefore, keep the importance of location uppermost in your mind when you contact a professional to schedule your next house painting project. You should schedule ahead of time to guarantee quality performance from the paint.

Painting in northern Colorado means you should be aware that there are a variety of paint products to meet your particular situations. If you are painting wood, you will want a product that will expand and contract with the weather. Regional differences in climate affect the choices, as do the unique qualities within the paint. This is very important to avoid cracking, splitting and peeling. Use the wrong paint and you, as well as the neighbors, will know it very shortly. Sunlight is also a factor in choosing the correct product. Again, it is wise for this large undertaking to hire a professional contractor to get the job done right.

Northern Colorado painting also means being aware of outdoor materials that require special consideration when painting in this part of the state. If you have stucco, an elastomeric paint would be a good choice. The rubber like qualities of this product make it a perfect fit for the surface. You may want to paint a patio or cement surface. With the climate changes you will need a paint that will remain flexible yet durable under these alternating conditions. Also, the wood used for decks and gazebos will respond best to specially made paints and coatings to extend their life. Any other type of surface you choose to decorate will come with its own particular requirements for correct application.

Painting in northern Colorado may mean thinking about the age of your home. Most historic homes have wood floors that also require extra care and attention. There are many coatings available to bring out the luster and preserve the quality of these high traffic areas. If you are painting in northern Colorado, this is one project for which you would be well advised to hire a professional. The surfaces have to been prepared and the coatings will probably be urethane enamels. Plan a high quality product in the budget for the floors, and consult the professionals for color matching with existing floors. It will be worth the money in the long run.

While painting in Denver, there are now wonderful products for unique applications. How about making that drab old concrete patio a feast for the eyes? There are specific paints in thousands of colors for adding color and interest to this area of your yard. Rethink the surface and you may even want to add some artistic elements on your new canvas. Outline designs or theme elements and paint them accordingly. There is no patio rulebook, so the look does not have to be monochromatic! And if you tire of your choices in a few years, you can begin anew. The professionals know all the supplies needed for preserving your new look.

Painting in Denver ideas also include taking that dull cinderblock wall and dazzle it with stone. You do not even need stone to accomplish this – use paint! There are many faux painting supplies and techniques used by skilled craftsmen to transform boring into beautiful. They can even apply stucco if necessary to accomplish the texture and style you desire. Even if the wall is brick, the correct paints and applications can make it an eye-catching attraction instead of an eyesore. The products today are made to be durable and long-lasting when used correctly.

Denver painting projects create interesting obstacles. Most walkways around homes are the dull gray concrete. The foundation is there just waiting for someone to enhance it. When painting in Denver, consider stylizing your walkway. There are products for high traffic areas that can be used to give them the appearance of flagstone or cobblestone. All this can be accomplished without cement mixers and heavy loads of rock! Utilize these options to beautify the setting of your house. Take a different look at the elements around your home to see the intrinsic possibilities. Decorative outdoor painting will add to the overall appeal and enjoyment of your home place.

Painting in Denver also means thinking about the local styles. Several unique styles of decorative painting in Denver are currently on the market. The most popular of these is sponge painting. This technique is accomplished by applying one solid color to the wall and following over the top with a complimentary color. The effect is depth through texture. This is a great technique for minimizing blemishes and irregularities in the walls. For example, older homes often have plaster walls that by their very nature are rough. A similar style is termed “faux leather” for real depth of field. It is a bit more difficult to accomplish without experience. These are great enhancements of the wall’s natural texture.

Denver painting styles can be fun and personal. Another technique for adding a splash of accent to those monochromatic surfaces when painting in Denver is to add stripes. This particular style is eye-popping when completed, but can be very unnerving if you are not one for details. Painter’s tape is applied to the walls at measured intervals. This covers the original base color. You then paint in between the tape with a complimentary color to accomplish the striping effect. It is a dazzling effect often used to accent one wall in a room. It is very time consuming, and you must enjoy lots of measuring and exacting labor to perform this option accurately.

Painting in Denver also allows you to get creative! A third technique for accenting your living space is called “ragging.” This painting in Denver technique requires three different colors or tints and shades of paint. You roll the first two while blending them together. The third “watered down” coat is applied by hand with a soft rag all over the previously painted (dry) walls. This gives a softened, soothing effect to the room. If you would like to use any of these techniques but are hesitant to try them, contact a professional painter. It is an opportunity to express some individuality in the rooms of your home.

Denver painting projects that involve historical elements should definitely involve a professional. All these attractive displays of craftsmanship from the past are beautiful. However, when it is time for painting in Denver, you may require the services of a professional contractor for a couple of important reasons. The first of these is the possibility of lead paint in the home. Even though the inclusion of lead in paint products has been outlawed for several decades, your home has been standing a lot longer than that. Chances are it has been painted in the past, and that paint had lead in it. The unfortunate news is that this heavy metal is still present, and can be potentially dangerous particularly for children.

Painting in Denver means painting in a specific type of environment. High impact areas such as doorframes and corners are susceptible to chipping and dusting. This poses a health hazard for children who like to put things in their mouths. When painting in Denver you should have a professional perform a lead test to see if this risk is present in your home. If it is, they will recommend the best course of action to eliminate or reduce the dangers. If you are considering a do-it-yourself project, be advised that sanding areas in preparation for painting can release this old hazard into the air.

Denver painting projects require a detail-oriented approach. The second reason to hire a professional for painting in Denver is found in the intricacies themselves. If you use the wrong paint, application tools or simply do not have the skills, the results of your efforts are likely to disappoint you. It is very detailed and time intensive work to paint all the fine carvings and woodwork. When done by those with experience, a new coat of paint will restore these treasures to their former beauty. Give your historic home the face-lift it deserves – use the experience and skill of a professional contractor.

When painting in Denver, colors have unique qualities that should be considered. There are four defined elements to every color – temperature, value, intensity and hue. This first of these, temperature, is the warmth or coolness of the color and permeates the room with the quality. The reds, yellows and oranges are considered warm while the blues and greens are cool. Look at your space to determine if you have now, or would like to have a warm or cool feel. The second quality of value refers to the tints (lightness) and shades (darkness) of any given color. This also carries a subjective response in the viewer, and can be used for dramatic contrasts.

Painting in Denver projects means the intensity component figures into your project in terms of the brightness or dullness quality. An example would be using the high intensity of red for an accent color with the low intensity of gray. This is especially useful with exterior applications where you can highlight interesting architectural appointments with a high intensity color against a low intensity surface or background color. The fourth component, hue, is simply a term for the color itself. Which brings up the point that just because a paint hue reads “white,” you should know that there is a multitude of colors for this one word!

Denver painting projects should always include thinking about both short-term and long-term aesthetics. The popularity of color schemes comes and goes with the times. However, there are choices that stand the test of time. Your professional contractor will have suggestions and guidance for your painting in Denver color choices. They can offer experience and an eye for style for your next project. If you are still standing in the store among the mass of samples, try to narrow your choices to three to begin with. Purchase a quart sample and try a section on the wall. Be sure to let it dry and look at it in various lights at different times of the day. Narrowing the search will get you closer to choosing the right color schemes for your home.

Painting in Fort Collins homes tips
McGuyver Painting can make the process go more smoothly – hence this article. Over time the exterior of your house starts to show the ravages of exposure to the sun and weather conditions. The colors are a bit duller than they used to be. There may be chips and flakes of paint missing from the side of the house taking the toughest weather. Often when people notice these things, the realization is not a welcome sight. They assume it will be a costly procedure with all the associated headaches.

For painting in Fort Collins, the first step you need to take is to locate a contractor. This is not a difficult task using your local yellow pages or the Internet. However, be advised that some contractors who are painting in Fort Collins today are gone tomorrow. You need to spend some quality time searching for the skilled craftsmen who have a proven record of customer satisfaction. Ask for a free estimate at your home. Do not accept offers over the phone – how can they possibly give an accurate price if they haven’t seen your particular job requirements!

Painting in Fort Collins with a contractor requires meeting at your home. Be sure to ask to see their proof of insurance. All reputable contractors carry this for the unlikely event of damage. Ask for references with addresses from other jobs they have performed. And, here’s the important part, check them out! They should also offer some type of warranty if you are having the exterior of your house painted. The average length is three years. The contractor is also a good resource for helping you decide color schemes and suggestions for overall improvement of the attractiveness of your home. Do your homework and the process will no longer be a chore.

Fort Collins painting can be very simple. There is no need to run out and buy all new living room furniture or get out the sledgehammer and start knocking out walls. All that is needed is to apply some painting in Fort Collins to bring new life to the interior of your home. Now it may look simple on some of the DIY shows, but remember there are professional contractors behind the scenes making all that beauty happen when the cameras are turned off! There is work to be done before anyone cracks open the first bucket of paint. This process requires labor and knowledge, which is where the professionals excel.

Painting Fort Collins homes with McGuyver Painting allows you a great degree of flexibility. In order to get the quality look you desire from your new house painting in Fort Collins the walls, windows, baseboards, crown moldings, chair rails and other architectural appointments have to be prepared for the actual paint. This may require sanding, caulking, stripping, covering or even complete removal. Holes need to be filled where you have hung all your favorite pictures, rough spots and irregularities will need smoothing and other places may need carpentry repairs. It is a very time intensive process to prepare the canvas.

Fort Collins painting options are as widely available as the microbreweries in the Denver area. The choices of colors and textures for painting in Fort Collins number in the thousands. With professional assistance you will receive sample combinations and recommendations tailored for your space. The look and feel of a room is determined by these decisions, and a professional contractor can be your personal resource for choosing a color scheme to meet your needs. There are also several types of paint from which to choose. This is also a value added service you receive by leaving the job to the craftsmen. They can assist you with the most appropriate type of paint according to look and functionality. This entire makeover process is best left to the pros!

Fort Collins painting projects begin with finding the right products for the job. That said, all paint products are not created equal! As a general rule for painting in Fort Collins, the cheaper the paint, the less quality is in the can. This will affect the coverage and application process. Cheaper paints are “thinner,” and therefore require more coats to sufficiently cover a surface. This is due to fewer binding agents in the paint that provide adhesive and cohesive properties to the product. They are also prone to showing more brush strokes – even those of the professional contractors. Another downside to these paints is the lack of durability. They will need repainting much sooner than the quality brands.

When painting in Fort Collins, there are basically two types of paints on the market. They are commonly known as “water base” and “oil base” paints. The first uses water as the primary liquid base. These water base or latex paints are virtually odorless, dry quickly and clean with water. The second type, oil base or alkyd have a mineral spirits base and are hardier and harder to work with if you are not a professional. They are heavy in that they apply thickly and result in a smoother application. If done incorrectly, this quality can lead to sagging. They have high durability levels and will retain their color and luster for years. Different types are chosen for different locations and purposes throughout your house.

Painting in Fort Collins, as you can see, involves much more than simply choosing a color and dipping in a brush. Actually, a brush may not even be the appropriate option for applying your paint! If you want to preserve and protect your largest investment, do not skimp on the paint. Let your painting professional make recommendations for the process throughout your home. He or she will know which paints will provide you will lasting value and beauty.