Services Offered by Professional Painters
Many professional painters provide interior and exterior painting, plus additional services.
Interior Painting
Interior painting pros will go over the different types of interior paint, types of paint finishes, and maintenance needs to assist you in determining what’s best for each room. Services could include prepping, priming, and painting door frames, trim, windows, cabinets, and moldings. Optional pre-painting groundwork such as stripping wallpaper or textured coatings may lead to additional charges.Exterior Painting
Exterior work starts with pros repairing weather damaged areas, stripping paint, plugging leaks with caulk, and cleaning. They then apply paint to trim, window frames, doors, decks, fences, siding, and other outdoor features.Additional Services
Experienced painters may also offer the following services, depending on their training and experience:- 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 Rafael
When deciding on a painting service, keep these key considerations in mind.
- Cost: Request price estimates from at least three painters. Be cautious of any contractor that offers a substantially lower price than others.
- Guarantees: Ensure that you get all guarantees in writing, and that you understand what’s covered and for how long.
- Paint types: Have your painter walk you through paint options and related benefits and drawbacks to ensure you choose the best type for your project. Some paints, for example, are more eco-conscious or better at withstanding weather damage.
- 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 on a ladder or using power equipment. If your home was built before 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: Obtain references from family, friends, and neighbors, or review the Better Business Bureau (BBB) profiles of local painters. You can also browse customer ratings on websites such as Google Reviews or Trustpilot.
How Much Does Painting Cost in San Rafael?
The cost of professional painting work varies by the size of your home, the paint types chosen, and the time of year. Most painters increase their rates during the summer in response to increased demand. In San Rafael, painting jobs for both interiors and exteriors usually run $0.96 to $3.84 per square foot. Most homes have greater interior square footage, which leads to higher paint costs than when painting the homes exterior. To paint a 2,000-square-foot house’s exterior costs approximately $4,804, while the interior will cost about $1,922 to $7,687. Alternatively, local San Rafael painters may charge between $21.67 and $36.11 per hour. Hourly prices may save you money, especially if you're bundling services. For example, you'll pay less to have your home's interior and exterior painted together than you would if you’d scheduled them separately.
