What to Consider Before Starting a Painting Project
T.L. Hart • January 9, 2020
The overall appearance of your commercial property, especially its paint job, is very important. An outstanding paint job will leave a positive first impression that will encourage buyers and tenants to come back to your business again and again. If you're considering painting, here are some tips you can use to ensure you get the most out of your investment.
- Determine the scope of the project. Planning for the project should be your first priority, especially if it will affect your operation or staff. How disruptive will it be? Will you need movers to tear down and move furniture? Does the work need to be done after hours? Is this a good time to replace your flooring? Whereas for many companies never is a good time, for some it may be during a historically slow period, or on a weekend, or perhaps over a holiday. Take time to consider what you want to do and its impact on your particular business, then move forward once you have a grip on this.
- Consider your budget. Of course, the cost is almost always an issue, so determine what your budget is for the scope you would like. In securing estimates, have the contractor give you some cost options, maybe breaking down various areas and listing them separately. In this way you can choose the areas that fit the amount you wish to spend.
- One other recommendation: don’t go cheap. You will get what you pay for. Use a painting contractor with a good reputation and a history of satisfied customers. They are not always the least expensive, but they have been around for a while for a reason.
- Pick your colors. Color is everything. It can cheer or depress, attract or detract, enhance productivity or hinder it. What is the look and feel you are after? Do you need help? A good contractor may well be able to help you make the right decision; if not, he or she might be able to refer you to a designer who can assist you. Too, you can request color samples--even having color swatches painted on your wall. Realize the paint color(s) you choose can make the difference between your property standing out or looking dull.
- Use the right paint. Not all paints are created equal, and all have qualities that can positively affect the quality and longevity of the finished product. In most commercial environments the current standard is a good quality commercial grade water-based eggshell finish. These are typically easy to clean, resist burnishing and dirt, and have a pleasant sheen. That said, in high traffic areas, a semi-gloss enamel might be a better fit, or even a gloss epoxy (depending on the area). Avoid flat paints as they are usually not washable and will soil easily--an exception this would be the newer ceramic-based flats. These products look and perform great, with almost no angular shine.
- Keep everyone safe. The safety and well-being of your employees and customers must be number one in any endeavor. Be sure to use a contractor with a proven safety record and one with an active safety program. If you plan to have the work done during normal daytime hours when people are present in your facility, ask to have zero VOC paint products used. If your facility requires the use of professional-use only products, such as urethanes or epoxies, allow for adequate ventilation or have the work done off hours. Furthermore, if the work requires the contractor to utilize ladders or aerial lifts, keep the area clear of people while the work is being done. Accidents happen, but they can be prevented if proper products and procedures are used.
- Will you need additional services? To make your commercial property really stand out, besides a new paint job, you may consider added services such as a new door or window, new flooring, wall covering, or floor coating. On exteriors it could include caulking, pressure washing, removing old, failed paint (stripping), or wood restoration work.
- Choose a reputable contractor. When it comes down to starting a painting project, hiring a competent and trustworthy contractor will be the deciding factor between success and failure. Here at T. L. Hart, our passion is to serve you, that's why we do whatever it takes to get the job done with outstanding results. Our employees are carefully screened, trained in safety and customer service, and are capable of meeting the specific requirements of your commercial property. If you're ready to work with us, give us a call or go online at www.tlhart.com and we'll provide you with you a free, detailed estimate on your painting project today!
“And every work that [Hezekiah] undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:21). There are here in this one verse three keys to prospering in your work. One, whatever you do should be in accordance with the word of God. God’s will is revealed in his word; it is to be found in no other place. I realize the Bible does not tell us whether we should be a carpenter or a financial advisor, a realtor or a nurse, but it does tell us to do what we do as unto the Lord. So if what you are doing can be so done, it is well and good as far as God is concerned. Better yet, find out what God wants you to do, and do that. I teach that a person should get a word from God as to his occupation. It could be that God puts a certain thing on your heart, to be and do such and such a thing. This is also good in God’s sight, as he gives us the desires of our hearts. He is in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. That said, let it be “in accordance with the law and the commandments.” Two, seek God. He is a rewarder of them that seek him. Jesus taught, “seek and you shall find.” Having sought God as to what he wants you to do, keeping seeking him as to how to do it. This is a never ending endeavor. There is a verse in Scripture that goes like this: “As long as he sought the Lord, he prospered” (see 2 Chronicles 26:5). So if you are seeking God and prospering, if you want to continue to do so, keep seeking God. Three, do what you do with all your heart. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). What is to be noticed here is who you are working for. You may think you are working for the government, or the auto-maker, or the real-estate broker. Or, if you are self-employed or own your own business, that you work for yourself. The Christian, however, is to work for the Lord. Verse 24 of this same book and chapter says, “You are serving the Lord Christ.” So, if you think a half-hearted approach to your job pleases the Lord, then go for it. Otherwise, you had better up your game. There is another verse in Ecclesiastes that addresses how you work. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (9:10). In other words, in everything you do, whatever it is—your job, your service to your family or church, or even mundane things like mowing the yard or shoveling snow, give it all you have. Do it as for Jesus, as this greatly pleases him. It should be apparent, then, that if you wish to prosper, be applying these principles. And if you want to keep on prospering, don’t let up. I have found that after enjoying a measure of success, it is easy to ease off on the intensity with which you approach your work. Jesus says it best when speaking about prayer: keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. The key words here being “keep on.” The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
While you can get your property painted for just about any amount, hiring a reputable commercial painting contractor will ensure you get a quality end-product with a firm that stands behind its work. To provide this, there are three cost-factors that go into a good commercial contractor’s price: labor, materials, and profit.
Moisture is among your commercial property’s greatest enemies. Wind-driven rain, leaky gutters and downspouts, old, deteriorated caulk or glazing, plus improperly painted substrates are all factors in moisture penetration. The result of water getting into unwanted places include peeling paint, damaged substrates, and—worse yet, mold and mildew. This is why you want to keep your commercial building waterproofed. While no one can prevent unwanted weather, and leaky gutters and downspouts are outside the scope of this article, proper preparation and a good quality paint job can go a long way in preventing moisture penetration. The following will contribute to a watertight building: Caulking. It is surprising how much damage a little water can do and how small an area allowing access will allow a lot of water in. Gaps in building materials, open joints, holes, plus splits and cracks may seem insignificant, but they’re a major entry point for moisture. This is easily solved by installing a good quality caulk. Since building components vary, caulks vary as well. They can be as simple as latex caulk, acrylic, siliconized acrylic, polyurethane, butyl, and pure silicone. The key is to seal up points of entry. Painting. Your commercial building is properly painted when all the paintable substrates have an adequate and cumulative amount of coating on them. I say adequate and cumulative as typically one coat of paint applied too thin will typically not do the job. Every substrate, that needs to be protected from moisture penetration, must have the right amount of millage installed. The proper mill thickness can be found in the manufacturer’s product data sheet (PDS). Of particular concern are those commercial buildings comprised of concrete masonry units (CMUs), or block. Concrete block is extremely porous, and unless coated properly will allow a huge amount of water into the walls of your building. The most important aspect of waterproofing a masonry building is filling the pores of the CMU. This is done by applying a block-filler as a first coat, with no more than ten pin-holes (the pore) per square foot. Once this is achieved, a good quality topcoat of any sort will provide water tightness. Best for CMUs are elastomeric coatings. These are rubber-based paints that, once dry, form an impenetrable rubber film over the substrate, and are the best for preventing moisture penetration—even wind-driven rain. Another advantage to elastomeric coatings is that they expand and contract, and will actually bridge small cracks in the masonry that may develop over time. There are other options for waterproofing—actual waterproofing sealers, stains, and cementitious coatings, all of which we have applied over our 36 years in business. In summary, to keep your commercial building looking good and free of moisture damage, keep it sealed up and make sure it is properly painted. Here at T. L. Hart, Inc. our goal is to ensure your commercial property is always in excellent condition. Our team of professional painters stands ready to keep moisture out of your property. Contact us today to request a quote.
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