When vetting a Contractor for hire, there are 3 fundamental items of importance to be mindful of: a. It is paramount the Contractor be licensed, bonded, and insured. There are more things that can go wrong on a project than imaginable. Having a compliant Contractor instills confidence by providing recourse in the event of an accident or unmet expectations, either written or vocal. b. It is incumbent on the Client to make sure the Contract is legible, coherent, accurate, comprehensive, and detailed enough to make a sound and informed decision. Otherwise, the adverse fallout from misinterpretation will be myriad. c. Although “looks can be deceiving” and “you should never judge a book by its cover”, there is much to be said about a Contractor giving gravity to the little things, such as: responding to a communication in a timely manner, knowing how to effectively articulate the process, showing up for an appointment presentable and on time, submitting the estimate in a timely fashion, answering any pertinent questions with assurance, a willingness to be adaptive and accommodating, and essentially, exuding integrity and professionalism throughout the entire process.
Healthy relationships are founded on mutual respect. When both parties work in tandem with one another, there is a greater chance of success, and thus the project will engender shared goodwill. The Registrar of Contractors feels the same. All told, both parties are entitled to presumptive recourse, should the project sour and an arbiter be tasked to intervene. That said, Pursuant to Arizona law, we are required to inform you of your right to file a written complaint with the Registrar of Contractors for an alleged violation of the Arizona Revised Statutes Section 32-1154, Subsection A. Any complaints must be made within the applicable time period (no more than 2 years), as set forth in Section 32-1155, Subsection A. The ROC can be contacted at (602) 542-1525, or online at http://www.roc.az.gov. We request that if any portion of our work is unsatisfactory or indicative of a dereliction of duty, you notify us prior to filing a complaint so we can attempt to resolve any concerns. Likewise, per the Arizona Lien Law (Title 33), you are obligated to pay your Contractor within a maximum 90 days of completing the project. Otherwise, a lien can be levied against your house until the debt has been satisfied.
The principal motivations for repainting a home include the following: a. Color Fading – Although this is standard and inevitable, measures can be taken to decelerate this process, such as: 1. Not introducing water or foreign materials into the paint 2. Using a higher sheen for enhanced protection from the elements 3. Applying another coat of paint (after the previous coat has fully dried) 4. Using a “best-in-class” paint for enhanced durability 5. Applying the paint per the manufacturer’s recommended spreading rate for proper coverage b. Coating Failure – If a house isn’t painted after its coating life cycle has expired, then cracking, peeling, blistering, flaking, and delamination are likely to occur. This creates an unsightly appearance and will warrant immediate attention to stymie any further damage to the surface, resulting in higher repair costs. c. Color Change – Some homeowners just wish to change the color scheme, either to tailor the home’s aesthetic to accommodate their cosmetic sensibilities or to increase the value of the home in relation to neighboring properties. d. Resale – Before selling a home, upgrading the cosmetic appearance is generally recommended to facilitate a speedy sale and command a higher price point. e. Home Owner’s Association – If a home starts to telegraph conspicuous signs of degradation, then the Association will issue a mandate to address the problematic surface(s) in a timely fashion, subject to penalty if compliance is not satisfied.
Some general guidelines when selecting colors include: a. Work with existing color tones in the neighborhood. b. Select “resale” colors and resolve to steer clear of “eclectic” options, unless there is intent to repaint the home before selling. c. If there is a multi-color scheme selected within the same “family” of color on the fan deck, then it is generally recommended to go up or down 2 shades, at the very least, to accentuate any contrast. Subtle variances will engender little appreciation from the viewer. d. The higher the sheen, the darker the color appears in the shade and the lighter it appears in the sun. e. Colors tend to look 1-2 shades lighter on the house once applied, principally because of light reflectance. f. The darker or brighter the color, the faster the “fade”. Lighter and “earth” tone colors generally have better color retention.
