Services Offered by Professional Painters
Many painting companies provide interior, exterior, and additional services.
Interior Painting
Interior painting specialists will talk you through the different interior paint types, finishes, and maintenance needs to help you determine what’s best for each room. Services could include prepping, priming, and painting trim, moldings, windows, cabinets, and door frames. Optional pre-painting groundwork such as removing wallpaper or textured coatings may lead to additional charges.Exterior Painting
Professional painters will begin exterior work by fixing weathering or damage, removing old paint, sealing leaks with caulk, and cleaning walls. They will then paint siding, fences, decks, window frames, trim, doors, and other outdoor features.Additional Services
Experienced painting contractors 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 Mateo
Below are some factors to consider when choosing which painting professional to hire:
- Cost: Contact a few companies to get price estimates. Be wary of unusually cheap prices compared to the average.
- Guarantees: Make sure you get a written contract outlining any guarantees and that you understand the scope and duration of coverage.
- Paint types: Have your contractor walk you through paint options and related pros and cons to ensure you choose the right kind for your project. Some paints, for example, resist weather damage better than others or are more eco-friendly.
- 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, especially if they’re working with power equipment or on ladders. If your home was built prior to 1978, and you're concerned about the presence of lead, consider looking for a contractor who is licensed by the EPA to work with lead-based paint.
- Reputation and reviews: Get references from family, friends, and neighbors, and review the Better Business Bureau (BBB) pages of companies you’re considering. You can also check reviews on sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews.
How Much Does Painting Cost in San Mateo?
The cost of professional painting work depends on the dimensions of your home, the paint types chosen, and the time of year. Most painters increase their rates during the summer due to increased demand. In San Mateo, painting projects for both interiors and exteriors typically cost $0.98 to $3.91 per square foot. Most homes have more interior square footage, which results in higher paint costs than when painting the exterior. To paint a 2,000-square-foot house’s exterior costs approximately $4,890, while the interior will cost about $1,956 to $7,824. Alternatively, San Mateo's local painters may charge you an hourly rate between $22.23 and $37.05. Bundling services will usually reduce costs. If you schedule interior and exterior painting concurrently rather than separately, you’ll likely pay less overall.
