The Biggest Red Flag to Watch for If You’re Hiring a Painter

Some home projects are very obviously better left to a professional, such as roofing, electrical work, and plumbing, which all require specialized knowledge and skills.

Painting is one of those home projects that straddles the line. If you have the necessary painting supplies and a little patience, there are plenty of opportunities to DIY your own paint makeover. But there are also other times when you might want someone else to take on the task (think: rooms with high ceilings or an entire exterior that needs a freshening up). In those cases, you might consider hiring a painting contractor to get the job done.

But while you’re perusing the web and reading reviews, wading through the pros and cons of each business may prove difficult. So, how do you know if your chosen company is worthy of getting your business? To set your future painting projects up for success, four experts — two designers and two paint pros — weigh in on what’s considered a red flag when securing a painter. Their resounding top pick? The biggest red flag is when your contractor doesn’t have a license or proof of insurance.

Before you hire a painter, make sure they have a license and proof of insurance.

Just as with any situation, having insurance offers protection for everyone involved. In the case of pro painters, it safeguards you, your home, and the painting company from a variety of issues that may arise. “Without insurance, a homeowner is exposed if the painters get hurt on the job or if something gets damaged on the home,” says Paige NeJame, who owns CertaPro Painters of the South Shore and Boston in Massachusetts. 

Keely Smith, the lead designer at JD Elite Interiors in Vancouver, also warns of liability when working with an unlicensed paint contractor. “An uncertified painter might leave you on the hook for medical bills or repair costs from even a small mishap,” she warns. Additionally, a certified professional receives safety training, so you can have peace of mind that they’re qualified.

Be wary if painting contractors don’t have proof of insurance and certification readily available. “If a painter cannot produce an insurance certificate within a day, that is a sign that he or she does not have insurance,” says NeJame. “Most insurance agents, including ours, can produce a certificate of insurance within an hour.” She also adds that you should request the painter to add you, as the homeowner, as an additional insured person for added protection.

There are other things to look out for beyond licensing and insurance, though. Here are experts’ top watch-outs. 

Red flag: The painter won’t provide a specific outline for the scope of work.

You should always ask for a contract outlining the project’s parameters and approximate cost before signing a contract. Carla Bast owns a Minnesota-based studio, Carla Bast Design, and recommends always asking for a contract that lists specifics. “Request a written estimate that outlines the scope of work, materials used, timeline for completion, and warranty,” says Bast. She advises steering clear of any painters that can’t — or won’t — provide this information.

Red flag: The painter’s cost estimates are really broad.

Sometimes, a project estimate falls within a range instead of pinpointing a specific price, which isn’t a big concern unless the range is broad, as they may be trying to increase their profit margins. “For instance, if they note the brand name of paint they’ll use but don’t share the specific kind of paint, they can use a spectrum of quality with pricing from $14 to $100 per gallon,” reveals Bill Nishanian, who is the owner of Nash Painting in Nashville, Tennessee.

Red flag: The painter doesn’t specify the number of coats of paint they’ll use.

Nishanian also warns against contractors who don’t specify the number of coats of paint or how many colors they’ll use, as varying hues and multiple coats require extra time. “If that’s not clear in the initial contract, and you’ve paid a large deposit, they hold all the cards,” Nishanian says.

Red flag: The painter asks for a large deposit.

Nishanian says that deposits are another cautionary point. “Most of the time, they are making 40 to 60% profit on the job, and if they ask for 50% down, they guarantee that they will not lose money, whether you’re satisfied or not,” he says. On the other hand, companies that ask for a low deposit often prioritize the customer and their happiness. 

Read more at ApartmentTherapy.com

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How To Choose the Right Exterior Paint Colors for Your Home

Choosing the right exterior paint color for your home can be daunting.

After all, the color of your home is the first thing anyone notices, and it significantly impacts your home's overall curb appeal. But don't worry, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll walk you through how to choose the right exterior paint color for your home so you can be confident you've made the right choice.

Consider Your Surroundings
Your home's surrounding environment plays a crucial role when choosing an exterior paint color. Look at the color schemes of the surrounding homes, the lush landscaping, and the natural elements around you. You want to choose a color that complements and blends well with the existing colors to create a cohesive look. For example, if your home is surrounded by trees, you may want to choose earthy tones like olive green or brown that blend with nature.

Look at the Architecture of Your Home
The architecture of your home defines its unique style, and the right exterior paint color can enhance it. For example, if you have a Victorian-style home, you may want to consider soft, pastel colors like light blue, cream, or pink. Similarly, if you have a modern-style home, you may want to consider bold, vibrant colors like orange, yellow, or red.

Think About the Mood You Want To Create
Your home's exterior color sets the tone for anyone who sees it, so you want to choose a color that reflects the mood you want to create. For example, if you want to create a cozy, warm environment, consider neutral colors like beige, grey, or tan. Similarly, if you want to create a welcoming, cheerful vibe, consider bright, cheerful colors like yellow or turquoise.

Consider Maintenance and Durability
It's essential to choose a paint color that looks good, is durable, and is easy to maintain. Look for exterior paint that can withstand harsh weather conditions, resist fading, and is easy to clean. Consult a professional painter for recommendations on the best exterior paint brands and colors that meet your needs.

Test Out Samples
Before you commit to a color, testing out different shades first is crucial. Paint sample colors onto various sections of your home to see how they look in different lighting conditions. Observe how the color looks in the morning versus the evening or on a cloudy day versus a sunny day. This will give you a better idea of how the color will look long-term.

Choosing the right exterior paint color for your home takes careful consideration, but with these tips, you can be confident you're making the right choice. When choosing your home's exterior paint color, consider your surroundings, the architecture of your home, the mood you want to create, maintenance and durability, and test out paint samples. By considering all these factors, you'll be able to choose a paint color that enhances your home's style and personality and adds to its overall curb appeal.

Learn more at rismedia.com

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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The Fifth Wall: Give Your Ceiling the Love it Deserves

When decorating your home, don’t forget about the fifth wall — better known as the ceiling.

An essential part of any room, the ceiling is arguably just as important as its floor-up counterparts. Ignore the ceiling, and you’re missing out on a prime opportunity to create a more unique space.

Manhattan-based architect, Lauren Rubin, of Lauren Rubin Architecture, shares her insights on why the fifth wall doesn’t get nearly enough play and the methods she uses to “zhoosh up” her clients’ staid ceilings — from making short spaces seem taller to adding depth to any space.

Why The 5th Wall Doesn’t Get Enough Respect

“Most people are scared of the ceiling because in some cases, such as wallpapering and adding architectural details, the changes are more permanent than a simple paint job,” Rubin says. “It’s just much easier to remain conservative with your choices and people just fall into that.”

Where Rubin sees a plain white ceiling, she also sees countless opportunities to make a space sing — especially in children’s nurseries, bedrooms, and playrooms. Parents are usually more open to relegating bold color and pattern to those spaces, initially. She first started her love affair with decorated ceilings by painting the ceilings of all-white kids’ rooms in bold colors.

“I prefer more interesting, whimsical spaces,” Rubin explains, “and kids’ rooms are perfect places to have fun.”

Start Small with Your Ceiling Treatment

In addition to kids’ rooms, smaller spaces like foyers and laundry rooms can be the perfect places to add a surprising pattern, detail or color to the ceiling. Since you and your houseguests won’t spend time lingering in those spaces, Rubin says, “One should be wowed upon walking in.” Their vibrancy won’t seem overpowering because presumably, they’re pass-through spaces.

Let the Architecture Be Your Guide

Rubin never adds ceiling details that aren’t meant to be there. “Be true to your home’s locale and its history,” she says. Ceiling medallions, coffers, wood beams, coved and crown moldings and plaster tracery are each indicative of prewar styles. Sure, tin ceilings look just right in a 1900s Irish pub, but in a postwar residence, they probably don’t make sense. In prewar homes, ornate and coved moldings look superb while at once, architecturally accurate.

Transform a Ceiling — and the Space Will Follow

Here are some general dos and don’ts:

• When walls are painted in neutral or lighter shades, add wallpaper to a ceiling. “Clients don’t feel as overwhelmed as they do whenever I suggest wallpapering all four walls,” says Rubin.

• Different decorative techniques produce a bevy of results: Embellishing a ceiling can mask or accentuate certain details and can create depth and interest in a room where once there was none.

• For a statement ceiling, Rubin creates a pristine mirror-like finish (sans paint strokes and imperfections) on ceilings via spray-on lacquer. Although the lacquer is somewhat costly and semi-permanent (you need to sand it off if you ever want to repaint), it reflects light beautifully throughout a space. But don’t think you can achieve the same result with high-gloss or metallic paints, which will show every blemish.

• For a more subtle look, Rubin uses white or neutral wallpaper with a raised pattern to create interesting shadows and depth via its texture. Likewise, wallpaper with a small repeating print on a white background, or a background that matches the wall color, can mask issues such as small cracks and uneven surfaces, too, while adding a “zen-like quality.”

• For uneven ceilings or awkwardly shaped spaces, use the same color paint as the walls — or the same wallpaper. “It tricks the eye into not understanding where the walls stop and the ceiling begins,” explains Rubin, “so you simply won’t notice flaws like a low ceiling or irregular lines.”

• Steer clear of adorned ceilings in kitchens and bathrooms. “Kitchens should be functional,” she says. “I’m not trying to draw the eye up and I’m not trying to make a kitchen overly fun, either.”

For more ceiling decoration tips, go to Corcoran Inhabit.

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Choosing Paint Color Based on Myers-Briggs Personality

Myers-Briggs can tell you who your friends should be, which vacation you should take next, and what dog breed you are…but maybe it can also give you some paint inspiration.

We are not immune to the siren call of a personality test. Who doesn’t want to discover their ideal vacation spot based on their favorite side dish or what their wedding cake flavor should be according to the Friends character they most identify with—even if they’ve never seen Friends? Of all your options, the Myers-Briggs test is a more legit diagnosis than most. While we’re not suggesting basing large life decisions off its results, there are some situations where having this information can come in handy. Situations like picking your ideal paint color. 

This is because a) choosing the right hue is highly stressful (so. many. swatches.) and b) color is highly subjective. What one person might find calming, another person might find depressing; it’s all very individualistic. This may be the one instance where a personality test actually relates to real life. We turned to an expert for some clarity—which are the best paints for each of the 16 Myers-Briggs types? Meghan Stewart, a certified color consultant with Paintzen, had plenty of insight.

ISTJ

Quiet, practical, and dependable, the ISTJ type is all about logic. If this is you, pick a pure white; it’s the ideal crisp backdrop for a distraction-free environment. “White walls are the most practical choice for the person who wants to carefully select artwork, furniture, or wall-coverings for their home,” says Stewart. After all, white goes with everything.

ISFJ 

ISFJs thrive in a harmonious, orderly home environment where mid-tone neutrals, like beiges and taupes, reign supreme. “These traditional colors are tried-and-true, which appeal to these loyal people,” says Stewart, pointing to trademark traits like responsibility and conscientiousness as the tie-in. 

INFJ

“Pink is definitely a color to consider for those who are passionate and tend to focus on their relationships,” explains Stewart. We’re talking to you, INFJs. According to the rosy tone you pick, you can either foster a soft, cozy vibe (evoking compassion) or a bright one (inspiring strength). 

INTJ 

This type is highly driven, fiercely independent, and known for having high standards, so if this sounds like you, you might want to pick a more zen color for your home, like green, to help you chill out. “Green is a great color for people who are somewhat introverted,” says the color expert. “This color can also create a relaxing environment for those focused on getting work done to achieve their goals.” 

For more personality types + color matches, go to domino.

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