Recently used this group to repaint the windows on my home. I went through an extensive vetting process to get quotes and chose a contractors. Belows are Pros and Cons:
Pros:
1. Dave was the only contractor to show up with references and insurance information without being harrassed for it. Also, 2 of the other contractors never showed up period. He gave a very detailed quote, outlining what was supposed to be done for each step of the way.
2. Dave was the only contractor to even ask about possible lead in the existing paint (Home dates to 1972). I spoke with 5 contractors! Big Red Flag that no one else was concerned with the new Federal guidelines regarding lead paint removal and disposal.
3. End result of paint job is good. Not stellar, but I am a bit of perfectionist. For exterior work, it's a HUGE improvement on what was there previously.
4. Willing to negotiate a little bit on price. I understand this is a franchise and he doesn't have much wiggle room, be he tried to help out as much as possible.
5. Proper handling and disposal of lead containing paint chips.
6. Really good clean up of the entire site before leaving. The painters used drop cloths (even to protect my bushes!) and were very careful not to drip paint all over the place.
7. Painters were respectful of my home and family. My kids were jabbering at them the entire time as they worked on the 1st floor windows and the guys weren't phased in the slightest. I know kids can be annoying, so that was nice of them to put up with it.
8. 2 year guarantee on the work! :0)
Cons:
1. All steps outlined on the contract were not followed. I didn't harrass the painters about it (as at this point, anything would have looked better on my windows), but they were supposed to wash, scrape and sand all wood surfaces being painted and repaired. They scraped only where paint was loose. No washing, no sanding.
2. Painters were on their cellphones CONSTANTLY...stopping to get off the ladders and walking around the yard randomly. Um, we had discussed that this job had to be finished before one of the recent hurricanes would hit the state (2-3 days). In the end, it got done the day the hurricane was supposed to hit (3.5 days), but I know if they'd spent a little less time on the phone and more time doing the work Dave was paying them to do it would have gotten done at least a few hours faster.
3. One painter was very sloppy and over painted trim and detail areas. He then spent several hours scraping away excess paint with a razor blade. Again, had he focused on the task at hand when doing it, this would have been an unnecessary step. There are now funky outlines where the paint was scraped away on about half of my windows. The other painter did not do this, and his work looks great.
4. One of the painters kept randomly disappearing! Not sure what he was up to, but the other guy kept getting left with all this work to do on his own. Again, had both guys been there the time they were supposed to, I think the job could have been done a little faster and possibly neater.
On the whole, the windows look a 1000% better than they did when this job was started. I know I am picky and a perfectionist, and I have a work ethic that I am aware is very uncommon anymore. So, knowing that about myself and trying to be very fair...3 stars all the way. We are most likely going to have them back next year to do all the exterior trim on the house too. Interior work though, I will continue to handle myself. read more