Category Archives: remodeling

10 Reasons to Invest in the Right Contractor

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10 Reasons to Invest in the Right Contractor

Here at Stellar Painting & Remodeling we follow the rules and ensure that everyone involve in a project
know its role and responsibilities, whether it is an employee or a customer. In this blog post, I share with our trusted customers factors that are involve in the process of finding the right painting contractor to protect their greatest investment – their home!

1. The Final Finished Look - The type of products used, their proper application and the ability for the Contractor to provide a quality-finished product will most often impact your ultimate happiness. We use Sherwin Williams and are proud to do so! Before you sign on the dotted line, check with the paint manufacturer to see what their warranty is. You may be surprise to hear that painting contractors sometime over sell warranty.

2. Peace of Mind and Warranty – Is your Painting Contractor Registered with the State and does he or she have a Certificate of Good Standing on file. (A State Law as of Oct. 2007). Does your Painting Contractor
have a full line of Workers Compensation and Liability Insurance with adequate limits? At Stellar Painting & Remodeling we do and make sure that all of our employees and work site are cover.

3. On Site Field Supervision – Be sure that your Contractor will have a qualified person working with you to ensure quality standards are meeting everyone’s expectations. Is the site cleaned up after a day’s work? Share your expectation right from the start.

4. Experience and Quality of People - Verify that your Contractor has the experience and the expertise to produce the end result you desire.

5. Credentials – Look beyond Contractor supplied references; no one is going to give you a reference list that isn’t positive. Can the contractor show customer surveys or letters that prove a track record?

6. Professional Affiliations – Make sure the Contractor you choose belongs to Professional organizations such as the PDCA (Painter Decorator Contractors of America) or the BBB, etc.

7. Attention to Detail – It starts with an accurate and complete proposal and scope of work to be done. The attention to detail that one provides to you with the proposal will be some indication as to the attention to detail you will receive with the Job.

8. The Right Products – Make sure that the Products quoted are consistent with the expectations you have for the finishes and the life of the product.

9. A Fair Price – If you focus on a low number instead of the right number you may be setting yourself up for a bad experience. Make sure your Contractor uses established methods, time standards or sq. ft. pricing to calculate your proposal.

10. A Fair Amount of Time – Be sure your Contractor gives you an estimate as to how long the job will take.

What are VOC?

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Volatile organic compounds are gases releases as material age and degrade over time. They are found in paint, caulk, cleaning supplies, carpet, wood and even items from the grocery store. Most importantly, VOC can be damaging to your health. It’s impossible to eliminate them completely from your daily life, but you can minimize their amount. At Stellar Painting & Remodeling we take precautions to ensure your family is safe and we minimize the amount of VOC your family comes in contact with. This is one way we differentiate ourselves from the competition!

VOCs can be serious, as they can cause allergic reactions such as asthma, headaches, upper respiratory infections and even cancer in acute cases.

At Stellar Painting & Remodeling we highly recommend reading labels if you will be the one painting. You can now find and purchase low-VOC products in most big box remodeling stores.

Now a day, water-based polyurethane that emits fewer gases than oil-based products gives you the same end result and is so much more pleasurable to be around! Anytime, you have the choice to pick between a low-VOC stain, sealant or varnish, why not pick the healthier choice?

One last tip to minimize VOC in your house and that we like to promote here at Stellar is to unroll very tightly rolled wallpaper outdoors as it allows gases to dissipate before hanging them inside. You see, the rolls trap VOCs and by letting them ‘breath’ outside we are not exposing your family to the gases.

Don’t Waste Money On Your Remodel!

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Are you remodeling for the wrong reasons? Many people believe any remodel is a good remodel, and that’s just not correct. Why are you? To improve or update an existing area? To add value to your home? To better meet a need you now have?
Here are some tips on how to do them well so you do indeed update, add value and meet your needs.

1. Check out the value of homes in your neighborhood and their amenities. For example, if your house has one bathroom but other houses have two, adding a bathroom is going to add value. If the houses in your neighborhood are selling for 200,000, investing 50,000 in a kitchen remodel may not increase your home value enough to recoup that expense.

2. Do pay attention to maintenance. There is little value in a great kitchen if there is a bad roof or damp basement. Make sure roof repairs, siding, windows and exterior painting are in good shape before spending money on remodel. Remember structure before luxury.

3. Stick to traditional, natural and neutral changes. If you go with trends, you may need to change those things before you will be able to sell your home. (Remember the colors of decades past?) Upgrades will serve both you and your potential buyer one day, saving you time and money.

4. Don’t do it yourself. Large home improvement projects should be left to pros. Simple updates are fine, but quality workmanship is admired while poor workmanship can lead to a quick loss in value and may sacrifice safety. How many times do you want to remodel the same project?

All remodels aren’t for the better, however a good remodel will add value, save you money and bring more joy and/or efficiency to your life. If you your remodeling project needs the help of professionals, give Stellar Painting & Remodeling a call at 720-981-7827. We can improve the value of your house inside and out!