Services Offered by Professional Painters
Most painting companies provide both interior and exterior painting, as well as additional services.
Interior Painting
Interior painting specialists will talk you through the different interior paint types, finishes, and maintenance needs to help you decide what’s best for each room. Services could include prepping, priming, and painting moldings, trim, cabinets, door frames, and windows. Optional pre-painting preparation such as stripping wallpaper or textured coatings may result in additional charges.Exterior Painting
Exterior work starts with pros mending weather damaged areas, stripping paint, plugging leaks with caulk, and cleaning. They then apply paint to trim, doors, fences, window frames, decks, siding, and other outdoor areas.Additional Services
Qualified painting companies may also provide the following additional services, depending on their expertise:- Concrete staining
- Crown molding installation and repair
- Drywall and plaster repair
- Popcorn ceiling removal
- Pressure washing
- Wallpaper hanging or removal
How To Choose a Painter in San Marcos
As you compare residential painting companies, consider these key factors.
- Cost: Request quotes from several contractors before deciding. Be wary if one contractor offers substantially lower estimates than the rest.
- Guarantees: Ensure that you get all guarantees in writing, and that you understand what’s covered and for how long.
- Paint types: Ask your paint pro to go over paint selections in detail, covering the benefits and downsides of each. This will help you select the best option for your project. Some paints have better weather resistance or use more eco-friendly formulas.
- Qualifications: Painters who work on jobs valued at over $500 must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board. To obtain this license, a contractor must have proof of experience and must have workers' compensation insurance if they have employees. Any contractor you hire should be properly bonded and insured, particularly if they’re working with power equipment or on ladders. If your home was built prior to 1978, and you're worried about the possible presence of lead, you may want to look for a contractor who is licensed by the EPA to work with lead-based paint.
- Reputation and reviews: Ask friends, family, and neighbors for references, and look up each provider you’re considering on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also browse review sites such as Trustpilot or Google Reviews.
How Much Does Painting Cost in San Marcos?
The cost of professional painting work depends on the size of your home, the paint brands chosen, and the season. Most painters increase their rates during the summer due to increased demand. In San Marcos, painting jobs for both interiors and exteriors typically cost $0.85 to $3.40 per square foot. Most homes have more interior square footage, which results in higher paint costs inside versus outside. To paint a 2,000-square-foot house’s exterior runs approximately $4,253, while the interior will run about $1,701 to $6,804. Some San Marcos painting providers may offer alternative rates of $18.05 to $30.08 per hour. Packaging services together can lead to savings with these hourly rates. Having exterior and interior painting completed at the same time, for instance, may result in a lower bill.
