How to Choose a Professional Painting Contractor

Do you know how to choose a professional painting contractor? When choosing your contractor, it is important to keep in mind that choosing the painting company with the lowest bid is not always in your best interest. Quality matters. So, you’ll want to note how much attention your potential paint contractor pays to the details of the job. Here are some great tips to help you know how to choose a professional painting contractor.

Determine the areas of your home that need to be painted, paying particular attention to details such as trim, doors, etc.
Choose your colors; this may determine the number of coats of paint needed, which can then affect the overall cost.
Ask family, friends, etc. who they recommend and/or research local painting contractors.
Schedule an appointment for an estimate (ask if it will be free or if there is a charge).
Note the Estimator’s arrival time and overall cleanliness of his vehicle. This is a crucial indicator in what can be expected from the company you choose.
Go over the specifics of all areas and details of your home that you want included in the estimate. On all estimates you schedule, be sure to include the same specifications, i.e. – number of coats of paint, prep work, etc. to ensure a clear comparison.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the Estimator.
Ask for references.
Visit their website to see samples of their work.

Once you have received your estimate

Make sure the final estimate is clear and includes all the work you requested.
Ask how long the project will take.
Ask what you have to do to prepare beforehand.
Ask about the payment schedule.
Ask about when the project can be scheduled.
Ask about warranties.
Ask about particular products they might recommend for your project.
Ask about the prep work that is performed before the actual painting is done. The key to a long-lasting and beautiful paint job is in the preparation.
Determine your comfort level with each company you met with; keep in mind that they will be in or around your house for at least one week.

Remember, if your goal is to receive a top quality paint job that will endure, choose the company that meets all your criteria, and not necessarily the one with the lowest bid.
At John Neill Painting and Decorating, we serve the greater Philadelphia area and The Main Line. If you are in need of quality painting, look no further and give John Neill Painting a call at (610) 664-5555.

Preparing Your House For Winter

While leaf peeping, Octoberfest and trick-or-treating may be on your fall to do list, there’s another important “to do” that you won’t want to overlook. Preparing your house for winter should be a part of your annual maintenance and can really help you avoid more costly repairs later. Inspecting the exterior of your home early in the season ensures time to handle any issues that you may find well before winter sets in. A few areas to pay close attention to include your: roof, chimney, gutters and downspouts. Download our Winter Preparation Checklist for more details on how to “winterize” your home.

 

Exterior Painting in Philadelphia Before Planting

Do your exterior painting in Philadelphia BEFORE you do your landscaping this spring with John Neill Painting & Decorating! Now that spring weather is finally here (sort of), do you have landscaping on your to do list? If so, it would be a good idea to get your pressure cleaning, exterior carpentry, or exterior painting taken care of first. While we do take great care to protect your plants, getting your maintenance work done before they go in saves us all time and potential worry over newly planted flowers and shrubs. Here’s to a beautiful spring and the prettiest yard on the block.

 

2013 U.S. Open at Merion

The Merion Golf Club will be hosting the 2013 US Open in June, and when it came time to prepare for this prestigious event, they turned to John Neill Painting & Decorating. After a thorough pressure cleaning, we painted the exterior of the Clubhouse, the barn and courtyard walls. We also painted the interior of the Men’s Locker Room, interior hallways and stairs.
Do you have a special event planned at your home this spring or summer?
Is your home in top condition and ready to welcome family and friends?
If not, give us a call today to set up an estimate and save your space on our schedule.

 

Spring is Just Around the Corner

Since Spring is just around the corner (hopefully), now would be a good time to take a walk around your home and see if you are in need of any exterior maintenance. This could include pressure cleaning, carpentry repairs, painting, or stucco and masonry repairs. Visit our Exterior Painting page to download your free Exterior Maintenance Checklist, and then give us a call to save your space on our spring schedule.

Perfect Painting Weather

We hope you’re enjoying the beautiful start to fall as much as we are, and just wanted to remind you that this is perfect painting weather. Fall is always a good time to take a walk around your home to see if you’re in need of a pressure cleaning, carpentry repairs, or any painting before the start of the winter season. Routine maintenance is the key to protecting your biggest investment – your home.

For more, see our Painting Services to see how John Neill Painting & Decorating can serve you in the greater Philadelphia area and The Main Line.

Exterior Home Inspection

The Second Step in Successful Home Maintenance: An Exterior Home Inspection by John Neill Painting

Your house is most likely one of your biggest investments, and to ensure that it remains in good condition we recommend yearly inspections to keep repairs to a minimum.

Below are some areas to pay particular attention to when conducting your inspection. Look for signs of pealing paint, general wear or wood rot, keeping in mind that horizontal surfaces will wear more rapidly.

– Tops of window sills
– Decks
– Bases of columns and posts
– Base of porch
– Base of garage doors

If you are in the Philadelphia area or The Main Line, give us a call at (610) 664-5555 to see how John Neill Painting & Decorating can help!

Preparing for the U.S. Open

When preparing for the US Open at the Merion Golf Club in 2013, they turned to John Neill Painting & Decorating for all their painting needs!
For all of the golf lovers out there, you probably already know that the Merion Golf Club will be hosting the prestigious U.S. Open in 2013. In preparation for the big event, the club  turned to us for all of their painting needs.

 We are finishing up the interior of the men’s locker room  this week and will be moving on to the exterior of the clubhouse in the weeks to come. We are thrilled to be a part of an amazing opportunity for the Main Line and Philadelphia to take center stage next summer. If you’re lucky enough to have tickets, be sure to check out the freshly painted clubhouse if you can.
If you have a special event of your own coming up this spring or summer, now is the best time to take care of any painting or decorating updates you want to have completed. Planning ahead and taking care of the bigger “to do’s” first will leave you with more time and less stress to take care of all the other details.

Sprucing Up For A Sale

Are you thinking of putting your house on the market this spring? If so, there are a few things you should be aware of if you’d like to get the maximum value possible for your home. Because of the real estate crash that accompanied the crash in the economy, buyers now have the upper hand, but getting your home ready for sale doesn’t have to be a hassle with John Neill Painting & Decorating serving the Main Line and the greater Philadelphia area.

As mentioned in a recent article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, little details that were often overlooked in the past are now being scrutinizing by the buyers. Staging has almost become a necessity when getting your home ready for sale, and exterior maintenance and interior paint touch ups can make or break a deal. Updated kitchens and bathrooms still rank high on the list as well, so be sure to consult with a reputable real estate agent about recommended updates if you’re aiming for a quick sale.