Submitted by Rick Hartsell of Somerset Painting

To save money, get a plan that includes all you want to get done. Without a plan, things get done out of order and can add thousands of dollars to the final cost.

Waiting until you can get it all done right is also a cost saver. Do as much at the same time as you possibly can. Service providers often provide significant savings just because they are already there. 

Anyone can slap on a coat of paint. Look for very specific details on the preparation work – carpentry skills, polyurethane sealants, razor scraping, power washing with chemical injectors to add bleach as needed, a 10 to one mixture to protect delicate landscaping yet remove mildew, etc. Be aware most paint manufactures warranties are voided if no power washing is done.

Get real and current reports on others experiences with the company then read them to see if their experience is something you want to experience. Read at least 20.

Call the manager of a local paint store and check on the company’s reputation, or ask an employee which company he/she would have paint his/her home.

Make your home as maintenance free as possible for yourself, especially if you are planning on selling your home. Buyers today want nothing to do with home maintenance.

In today’s market, even the smallest flaws will be picked apart by the buyer’s inspector and cost you much more than the repairs. Fix everything that needs attention.

Paint today ranges from $12 to $58 per gallon. A good suggestion is for the homeowner to pay for the paint. At $50 dollars or more per gallon, contractors are more tempted than ever to skimp when they are paying for the better paints. The better paints are well worth the price. Some will give you twice the length of service, look beautiful and be bulletproof for 10 years. You are paying for three main attributes – fade resistance, adhesion and mildew protection.

Look for six months to a year “same as cash” offers.

Never pay until the job is finished.

Somerset Painting serves all the following Michigan cities and more – Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Royal Oak, Troy, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Washington, Romeo, Macomb and Shelby. 

As of Aug. 3, 2011, this service provider was highly rated on Angie’s List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check AngiesList.com for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie’s List.