FAQs
Painting the interior or exterior of your home or office is sure to be labor intensive, time consuming and can sometimes become complicated and involved beyond your level of experience. The professionals at Southern Painting understand every job requires preparation, the right tools, skilled labor, and knowledge about the different products applied, surfaces areas, and techniques employed. We know you have questions and we want you to know we have answers! Take a minute to browse our most frequently asked questions. Be sure to call your local Southern Painting office if you don’t see your question in the list below.
- What quality of primers, paint, stains, and caulks will be used?
- How can I tell if a color will take more than one coat to cover?
- Is paint lighter or darker than the color sample chips?
- Does paint get lighter or darker when it dries?
- What are the differences between flat and satin sheen paints?
- What are the differences between oil-based and acrylic enamels?
- Why don’t you like oil-based products on exteriors?
- Do you spray paint to apply it to the surface being coated?
- What type of prep work do you do?
- How long have you been in business as a professional painting company?
- Will I receive a detailed written estimate?
- Are you bonded, insured, and licensed?
- Who will be doing the painting?
- Do you have written references?
- Do I need to put down a deposit before you get started?
- Am I getting a good value for my money?
- Will I receive a warranty?
- Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau?
Q: What quality of primers, paint, stains, and caulks will be used?
A: Good quality paint and caulk are key ingredients to achieving lasting, beautiful paint jobs. We only use top quality primers, paints, and stains from the very best manufacturers, such as Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Pittsburgh Paint. Additionally, we use only professional caulking products designed for specific applications.
Q: How can I tell if a color will take more than one coat to cover
A: Although there are many factors that determine whether one-coat coverage is possible, lighter colors will cover better than darker ones. Here is an analogy that helps explain this: Compare a glass of cola to a glass of chocolate milk. The cola is dark, but translucent while the chocolate milk is lighter, but more opaque. Lighter paint colors are more opaque. Some colors (e.g. red) require a special primer, and often two color coats for the desired color to develop properly.
Q: Is paint lighter or darker than the color sample chips?
A: If you dab paint onto its color chip and let it dry, the color should be indistinguishable from the chip, with any apparent difference being due to variations in sheen. Be aware, though, that our eyes and brains will perceive an entire wall of color differently than a two square inch chip.
Q: Does paint get lighter or darker when it dries?
A: A bucket of latex paint is about half water. As the water evaporates from newly applied paint, the pigments concentrate together and the color darkens.
Q: What are the differences between flat and satin sheen paints?
A: Satin or eggshell sheen paints are microscopically smoother than flat paints, so soil generally wipes off easier. But satins do not touch up as well as flats (you may see shiny spots). Satins will accentuate texture, but they will also draw attention to flaws such as sheetrock tape seams.
Q: What are the differences between oil-based and acrylic enamels?
A: Oil-based enamels take longer to dry, so brush strokes will have more time to smooth out. Oil enamels also take longer to harden, but once they do they are more durable than acrylics. Oil enamels will gradually yellow over time while acrylics do not. Oil enamels have more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than acrylics and therefore have a stronger smell that lingers longer.
Q: Why don’t you like oil-based products on exteriors?
A: Ultraviolet rays in sunlight break down oil-based products faster than waterborne equivalents.
Q: Do you spray paint to apply it to the surface being coated?
A: For interior work, we typically only spray when painting acoustic “popcorn” textured ceilings, as brush & roll is not practical. For exteriors, spraying is the method of choice to efficiently apply a uniform coat of paint. The painters take care to protect adjacent surfaces from over-spray.
Q: What type of prep work do you do?
A: We take many steps to insure a quality job before we open the first can of paint! This includes preparation of all surface areas, including sanding, sealing, wood or drywall repairs, and other tasks. We also take various steps to protect your home while we work, including covering floors, furniture, permanent lighting, window glass, landscaping, lawn furniture, and automobiles. See more detailed information on preparation here.
Q: How long have you been in business as a professional painting company?
A: Southern Painting has been in business since 1989 and painted over 75,000 single-family homes. In that time, we have perfected a system that guarantees prompt service, neatness, and customer satisfaction that has helped us build a reputation of trust, value, and dependability.
Q: Will I receive a written, detailed estimate?
A: We inspect and measure every job individually, in order to provide you with a professional written estimate that will detail the entire process from A to Z.
Q: Are you bonded, insured, and licensed?
A: Yes, we are!
Q: Who will be doing the painting?
A: The Southern Painting Family works with carefully chosen and vetted paint trade contractors. They are skilled workers that take pride in ownership, and are consistently cautious, neat, and dependable. This translates into a quality job for you! In fact, our customers routinely comment on how much confidence they have in our professionals’ ability to be trustworthy and do a great job.
Q: Do you have written references?
A: This web site lists a number of customer testimonials for each of our locations. We would also be happy to speak with you by telephone or e-mail and supply additional written references.
Q: Do I need to put down a deposit before you get started?
A: We want you to enjoy a beautifully painted home with no up-front risk, when possible. We are so confident in our paint trade contractors, systems, and production quality that we require no money down for most homeowner jobs under $12,000. Larger jobs, jobs involving an out-of-state owner, rental or commercial properties will, however, normally require a payment schedule.
Q: Am I getting a good value for my money?
A: That will be for YOU to decide, but we believe our professional contractors ensure that the financial investment our customers make reflects a quality job, every time. We proudly offer a service guarantee, and will match any painting contractor estimate that reflects each and every point of our proven systems model - commitment to (and level of) service, contract specifications, professional experience, and warranties, as well as general liability insurance, bonding and licensing, follow-up, and reputation. (“Remember, cheap things are seldom good and good things are seldom cheap!” Anonymous)
Q: Will I receive a warranty?
A: We provide a written document regarding warranty items with each estimate. We offer a three-year limited warranty against peeling and blistering due to defective pain or stain workmanship, and a one-year warranty on all door treatments. All warranties are transferable should you sell your home.
The following items are not included in our warranties pre-existing surface damage; rust, caulk and mildew; galvanized metal, leaks
and floors; and/or any issues that may arise from the structure shifting, settling, and/or weather events out of our control. See more information about warranty here.
Q: Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau?
A: Yes, we are a proud member of the Better Business Bureau. We are also extremely thankful for, and proud of, that the majority of our business comes from referrals via past customers, as well as their neighbors and friends.