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A lot of commercial property owners take painting for granted, but a fresh paint job has the ability to instantly transform the look and longevity of their building for years to come. However, that largely depends on the paint contractor they hire. Hiring the wrong contractor for the job can cost you both time and money. Before you hire a painting contractor, here are some things you need to consider. #1 Check if the painting contractor has insurance Before hiring a contractor, make sure they have general liability insurance. This ensures that your property is protected from damages caused by the contractor while they work on it. A good contractor should also carry workers’ compensation. This is to protect the contractor's employees while working on your property. Workers’ compensation also protects you from any liability resulting from accidents that occur while the contractor is working on your commercial building. Note that many painting contractors simply issue 1099’s to their workers. That is, the painters are not employees of the contractor and may not be covered under the contractor’s insurance. Additionally, can be a violation of IRS rules regarding independent contractors. So your best choice in a contractor is one that is fully insured and that uses its own forces to do the work. #2 Licensing  Recent changes in Michigan Law removed the requirements for painting contractors to be licensed. That said, contractors performing work other than painting on residential structures should be licensed for the work they are performing. In addition to this, contractors working on homes built before 1978 are required by law to be certified under EPA’s RRP rule. This status refers to work done on structures that do or may contain lead-based paint.

Your Michigan commercial property is an important investment, which is why constant maintenance is required to ensure it always looks good. If you're thinking of repainting your commercial property, remember, the finish you choose is just as important as the color. The various types of paint not only affect how a color looks, but also how well it covers imperfections and cleans up. If you're not sure of what paint finish is best for your commercial property, this article will show you how different paint finishes affect the overall look of your building. Flat (or Matte) Flat paint is generally not recommended for commercial environments. Typically used in areas and on surfaces that receive minimal use (e.g. ceilings, storage areas, etc.), flat paint is non-reflective and is not washable. The one advantage to using flat paint is that it tends to hide imperfections and usually touches up well. It is also good for high turn-over properties such as apartments. That said, there are high-end mattes on the market that are great for most any room or area. One such product is O’Leary Paints Ceramic Matte. Other manufacturers may offer similar products. If a finish is desired with a very low sheen (i.e., shine) and high washability, this is an ideal one. Eggshell Eggshell finishes are T. L. Hart's go-to product for almost every commercial paint situation. Offering a modest sheen, this finish is more durable compared to flat and is easier to clean. Eggshell paints provide a pleasant, non-glare appearance, overall good washability, and can be touched up. They are not, however, good for high-traffic areas and are not recommended for use on trim and doors. Satin Satin paints are products with a sheen in between eggshell and semi-gloss finishes. Popular because they are generally easier to clean and more durable, they are a great alternative to the shinier semi-gloss. One thing to keep in mind for all products is that they come in varying degrees of quality. There are both low and high-end paints in all types of finishes. In the satin line, for example, there are latex products, and there are acrylic products. The latter is always more expensive--and is a better paint, than the former. Good quality, acrylic satin finishes are well suited for wood or metal trim and doors. They are also good for use in high-traffic and ‘wet’ areas (i.e., restrooms). As they are less shiny than semi-gloss paints, they make for good products in homes and other high-end properties. Semi-gloss Semi-gloss paints are the commercial standard for restrooms, high-traffic areas, and industrial settings. Significantly more durable and washable, semi-gloss finishes are also the usual product used on windows, doors, and trim. Shinier than all the other products, the end-user should consider carefully before using on walls in offices or other low-use areas, as they are not only highly reflective, but they highlight imperfections and can be somewhat gaudy. Again, as mentioned above, there are varying grades of quality in this finish line. Less expensive semi-gloss paints can be rubbery, even somewhat ‘sticky’ once dried. Low cost semi-gloss, for example, should never be used on horizontal surfaces such as cabinets or shelving. In general, and depending on usage, T. L. Hart, Inc. recommends a good quality acrylic paint if semi-gloss is the choice of products. Gloss Rarely used in interior commercial situations, high-gloss finishes typically offer maximum durability and cleanability. Common usages include restrooms, labs, and other potentially wet areas. Gloss products are also typical to floor coating paints. Other applications include structural steel and protective components such as guard posts, columns, stair steel and railings, etc. Generally, gloss finishes are either oil-based, acrylic or epoxy products--epoxies being the hardest and most durable. In general, high-gloss paints are not recommended for walls except as noted.  When it comes to painting and choosing the ideal finish for your commercial property, you need a quality painting contractor that can advise you . Call T. L. Hart, Inc. today for a recommendation on what paints to use as well as a free painting estimate.

There comes a time when you need to repaint your commercial building. That's an easy proposition if the building is vacant, but what if it's full of people? Painting an occupied building can present its challenges, so here are some things to consider before getting started. Set a schedule To avoid disruption, T. L. Hart recommends scheduling the work on days when your business has the least amount of activity. If your building is full of offices that cannot be vacated, it is best to paint after business hours, on weekends, or during the holidays. Doing this will minimize or eliminate the risk of disrupting your operations or those of your tenants. Inform occupants in advance If you are leasing out space, your tenants should be made aware of the upcoming painting project. The notification should come days or even weeks before the project begins. Provide them with the specific times and dates the painting will be done, as well as the areas affected. The earlier you notify your tenants, the easier it is for them to plan accordingly. Paint in stages If you cannot or do not want to completely shut down your buildings operations, painting in stages is the best solution. Doing this ensures that your building remains functional for the duration of the project. For example, instead of blocking off all the bathrooms on a certain floor, you can paint each one alternately, ensuring that there are always bathrooms available for your tenants and their guests. Stay safe Safety is paramount, so here are some tips for protecting your personnel or tenants and keeping everyone safe:. Choose a contractor with a proven safety record Choose a contractor with a verifiable safety program Depending on the application, request the use of low or zero volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints. Provide for adequate ventilation if needed Request Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) if you are concerned about the paint product hazards If applicable, use the appropriate warning signs T. L. Hart, Inc. performs regular safety training and can provide both MSDS and signage upon request. Be aware of paint fumes Low or zero VOC paint products are not always available for certain applications. For example, when painting concrete floors solvent-based epoxies or urethanes are often required. This is true also for applying paint-on white or black boards, a common application in commercial environments. These can emit hazardous fumes. In these instances you will definitely want to have the work done on days and at times when the space is unoccupied. Note also that even with low or zero VOC paints there will still be some odor, but it is not hazardous to health. Of course, using fans or other means of ventilation is the best way to remove paint fumes from the areas being painted. You don't have to put off a planned painting project just because your building is occupied. Here at TL Hart, we can help you find the best options to paint your building without disrupting its occupants. For more information about our painting services, give us a call today.

The late Bob Briner, author of Roaring Lambs, taught me the most important words you can say are thank you. I knew from years of reading the Bible and associating with thankful people that giving thanks was important, but Bob, a successful businessman, emphasized gratitude in the workplace. As a result, I’ve made it my practice to say thanks as often as I can, to as many as I can, and for whatever reason I can. Saying thank you is so powerful that only the naive and ignorant would fail to employ it. Here are two reasons why: First, everyone needs to feel appreciated. When you tell someone you are grateful for what they have done, it lifts them up, it makes them feel good. It inspires them to excel since they know they’ll not go unnoticed. Second, gratitude is powerful because it produces something good in you. When you give thanks it changes your outlook on life. Your perspective becomes more positive; you realize there is so much to be thankful for. You feel better about yourself. When to give thanks? Always—and for everything. Most will say thank you when something good is done for them; gratitude is easy when things go well. However, one of the best ways to deal with tough situations is to be thankful! It may or may not change the circumstances, but it will change how you face them. The best path out of trouble is thanksgiving. As a business owner, I hate complaints, but have learned to appreciate them. Truth is, a dissatisfied customer could not say anything to you, but go tell others how bad your company is. Instead, they are calling to tell you they're unhappy. This is great news, as a complaint can go from something negative to a chance to improve—hopefully saving a customer too! Two examples of gratitude come to mind. Jim and Phyllis Russell were expecting a child, but not the child they got. On delivery day the baby born to them had down-syndrome. During dinner with Jim, he recalled the occasion of their daughter Amy's birth. He remembered the biblical admonition, “In everything give thanks”; so Jim and his wife thanked God for the precious gift they had just received. Jim is gone now, and the child a mature adult—known all over the world as the “Amy” in the Russell’s private charity, The Amy Foundation. The second example is simple but impacted me greatly. My wife and I were dining at the Amway Grand in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Each time the waitress served us and I thanked her, she replied, "My pleasure." You could tell she meant it and not only enjoyed waiting on us, but was grateful for the opportunity. There is so much to be had by taking the time to say thanks. What would the workplace be like if we took the time to express some gratitude?

Ceramic paint products have been on the market now for several years, and they have fast become T. L. Hart’s product of choice. Sold in both interior & exterior formulations, ceramic paint is 100% acrylic, low odor, and formulated with ceramic spheres to impart excellent stain resistance properties. On interior surfaces, finger prints, soil, grease, and many other stains wash off with mild soap and water without harming the film. This product complies with LEED Green Building Rating System GS-11 for interior flat paints. The interior products, both flat (for walls and ceilings) and semigloss (great for trim and doors) are perfect for hospitals, schools, homes or any area where odor is a concern. It allows a flat finish in high use areas, with maximum durability. The exterior products-formulated last and available only recently, perform excellently and represent perhaps the best acrylic coating on the market. Ceramic products are sold by various manufacturers, O’Leary Paint being a T. L. Hart favorite. In fact, O’Leary’s Ceramic Semigloss product was rated the 2nd best paint on the market of all brands in its category. Though somewhat more expensive than standard acrylic products, Ceramic Paint is T. L. Hart’s choice when it comes to interior architectural products. Written by Terry Hart Terry "TL" Hart is President and CEO of one of mid-Michigan's largest painting companies. Entering its 29th year, T. L. Hart, Inc. has served thousands of customers both in and out of state. It's projects ranges from large industrial facilities to private home owners. In each and every instance TL and the firm m<>aintains a firm commitment to customer satisfaction. TL resides in Lansing, Michigan with his lovely wife of 41 years. The couple has five grown children and ten grandchildren, and are active in their local church.

One thing that differentiates the painting industry from other types of businesses is its lack of professionalism. By this I don’t mean that there aren’t many highly skilled painters in the market—because there are; being a great painter, however, does not make one a good business owner. When I started my company in 1985 I was privileged to have a group of men who volunteered to oversee my first year in business. One of the first things they recommended was to find out what associations represented my trade and join them. So I did a little research and found two: the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA), and the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). I quickly became a member of these two organizations and from that point began to build my company on the resources they provided. While not trade specific, ABC provided me with materials to write my first employment manual and safety program. Not long after, it helped me craft an apprenticeship program for my workers. Too, my involvement with ABC helped me learn leadership skills, as I quickly took roles on committees and in 1989 became an area chapter president. PDCA has provided the greatest benefit. Virtually everything we do at T. L. Hart has been directly or indirectly shaped by this outstanding organization. From writing policies and procedures, to marketing my firm, to reading blue prints and writing estimates, to knowing our costs—our company has been built upon a foundation that has helped establish tens of thousands of contractors during PDCA’s 129-year history. It has helped T. L. Hart become a truly professional painting contractor. This is why industry associations should matter to the customer, as not all painting companies are equal in their approach to business. A case in point is the estimating process. Because PDCA has such a rich history, it provides the member contractor with the tools to compile an accurate bid proposal to the end-user. It provides not only the information on how to accurately measure and accumulate the data for an estimate, but also the approximate time it will take for a skilled painted to complete a given task. In other words, PDCA has long set the norm for measuring and calculating painting costs. Another example is standards. PDCA is the only trade group representing the painting industry and, as such, has produced a set of standards that define what professionalism is in real time. From what constitutes a properly painted surface (PDCA-P1), to a method for providing samples (PDCA-P5), to procedures for pressure washing (PDCA-P22), these standards establish benchmarks for the contractor as well as the customer, thus ensuring a satisfactory end-product. This sets T. L. Hart apart from the competition, in that, being one of only 47 contractors in the State of Michigan—and only one of two in the mid-Michigan area, it operates on the basis of established and certified-professional operating principles that govern its approach to business. This is a true benefit to the customer because the information they receive from T. L. Hart is not based on a whim, or a subjective feeling of how long something should take or how much it should cost, but on sound information derived from a trusted knowledge base—PDCA. Whether or not a painting company is associated with an industry trade group may not seem important to the buyer, but if professionalism matters, then a contractor member of PDCA or ABC is the best choice.  Written by Terry Hart Terry "TL" Hart is President and CEO of one of mid-Michigan's largest painting companies. Entering its 29th year, T. L. Hart, Inc. has served thousands of customers both in and out of state. It's projects ranges from large industrial facilities to private home owners. In each and every instance TL and the firm m<>aintains a firm commitment to customer satisfaction. TL resides in Lansing, Michigan with his lovely wife of 41 years. The couple has five grown children and ten grandchildren, and are active in their local church.