What to Look for in a Painting Contractor

T.L. Hart • April 20, 2020

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.

#3 Request for references

References can speak millions about the work of contractors. Past clients will tell you just how good or how bad a contractor is. It's a good way for you to check if your potential contractor has some complaints that were left unresolved. Try to talk to more recent clients if you have the chance. They can give you a good idea of how the contractor works.

If a contractor is hesitant when asked for references, you should consider that a red flag. You're probably better off looking for other options.

#4 Ask if the painting contractor provides a guarantee or warranty

Reputable contractors will usually provide you with at least a one-year warranty. This warranty should cover the materials used and labor in case of work defects. Exclusions should also be clearly pointed out.

#5 Check if the painting contractor uses high-quality materials

When doing any projects, contractors should use materials of the finest quality and should specify them in writing. Remember, substandard materials may be cheap, but they won't last long.

When it comes to painting a commercial property, make sure your investment in the integrity and aesthetic quality of your building pays off. Using high-end materials suitable for the need is the best choice.

#6 Make sure the painting contractor prioritizes safety

Commercial buildings are often full of people, so unless you plan to close down the entire property, the contractor you choose should have workers who take the proper safety precautions before, during, and after a project to ensure the occupants' safety.

All painting contractors are required by OSHA to have written safety programs and to provide regular safety training to their workers. Such training is for the health and safety not only of the painters, but also those persons around whom they are painting.

Areas affected by painting projects should be blocked off properly. Tenants should be informed in advance about the upcoming painting jobs, and visitors should be guided to safe areas accordingly.

#7 Other things to consider

Does the contractor have a legitimate place of business? Many painting contractors are self-taught and operate out of their trucks or homes. There is little investment in the company and it is often here today, gone tomorrow. A legitimate place of business indicates the contractor is here to stay, a comforting thought for the property owner who wants assurance of quality and longevity.

How long has the contractor been in business? New painting contractors appear on the scene all the time; it is rare to find one that has some history. Years in business is one indicator of a contractor’s ability to meet ongoing customer demands.

Does the contractor have a website? While websites are much easier to come by nowaday, still many painting contractors do not have one. Additionally, many who do have one have not put much time or effort into it. A good quality website that informs the customer is another indicator of a quality painting contractor.

The painting contractor you choose can make or break your commercial property. Here at TL Hart, our workforce is specially trained to meet your needs. Contact us today and we'll give you a free, detailed estimate.

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Three Keys to Prospering in Your Work

By Terry Hart • January 13, 2023

“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.

What Goes into the Cost of a Paint Job

By T.L. Hart • December 8, 2020

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.

Keep Your Commercial Property Watertight

By T.L. Hart • November 12, 2020

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.