Comparing Apples With Apples on Your Painting Bids

Most of us have always had the mindset that it is best to get a minimum of three bids when doing a home project. In many cases this is a wise and helpful practice for decision-making. Sometimes it can be down right frustrating when your purpose is to compare apples to apples and the bids just are not lining up. As an estimator for Chism Brothers Painting, I typically bid against 2 to 4 other painters in San Diego, and I can honestly say it is almost impossible to compare bids equally. I have heard a number of homeowners tell me they will get one bid for $2,500 while another will be $15,000. Why such a difference? No wonder people want to get 5 bids before making a decision. Painting is a tricky business. It is not like buying a pack of licorice. Every estimator will look at the project through his or her eyes and give you a price on what they think it will take to paint your home. Many times, one estimator will see a very simple paint job and will miss the details while another contractor will see the project as a Sistine Chapel.

If you enjoy the process of calling on 5 companies, waiting for them to show up, hoping they will write you a bid and then dissecting the estimates to make a wise decision that is wonderful! I hope you make a good choice! However, if you are the type of person who does not have quantities of extra time and wants to know how to make a good and efficient decision on a quality company, let me offer you some simple advice from my experience.

Here are my suggestions

• Research a couple of companies you are interested in contracting with. The best way to start is looking online, asking your friends and neighbors, etc.
• If you are impressed with a company or two, call them up and see how professional they are on the phone. See if they will make and keep an appointment.
• During the estimate, see how the company does on addressing your concerns and the suggestions they make.
• Be willing to share a general idea of what you are hoping to spend on the project. If you have no idea, talk about the cost up front: asking them for a general idea. It will save you a lot of time later. This is a very important step. It will help in comparing apples to apples if you do decide on getting another bid or two. An estimator can give you an idea of what he thinks it will take. If it is high and you like the company, you can discuss ways to save money: 1 coat vs. 2 coats, less or more prep in select areas, the moving of furniture, etc.
• If the above items go really well, trust your judgment and go with who you like!

San Diego Hardware

Many of us San Diego homeowners know and trust only one hardware company in town, and that company is San Diego Hardware. For 113 years, they have served San Diego faithfully in their Downtown location. Even though it was sometimes difficult to drive downtown, they were still known as the best. People made the journey downtown to find the hardware and plumbing supplies they needed for their home.

About a year ago, San Diego Hardware made a dramatic, but beneficial, move to a more central area of San Diego. They now have a beautiful showroom located in Kearny Mesa. If you enjoyed their downtown store, you will absolutely love the showroom and service you will receive at their new location! Below are a list of their main websites and a website by one of their hardware specialist, Jason Ritchie. We have been working with Tom as our outside sales specialist and Jason in the store. Jason is in the beginning stages of developing a site that will inform his clients of quality products and service companies for you and your home.

San Diego Hardware
Visit Their Home Site

Direct Hardware Source Online
View Here

Jason Ritchie’s Site

Trompe l’oeil Project in Point Loma

We are currently working on a home in Point Loma that requires all different aspects of painting. We have restored old mahogany woodwork, changed the colors on walls, installed new doors and windows, applied faux finishes and completed a beautiful trompe l’oeil in the entry areas. We hired John Hiemstra to create the concept and help our painters with the entire project.

To view the results of our work, click on our portfolio

Color Trends for 2007

The Paint Quality Institute has just published the 2007 Color Trends for homeowners. Changing the color of a room is relatively inexpensive and can make a world of difference. Chism Brothers can typically change the color of walls in a full size bedroom for under $600.00. We hope the article below will inspire you to try something new for 2007. If you need help, let us know!

Paint Quality Institute 2007 Color Trends

Note: Picture Above: Courtesy of The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute.

Lacquer Fumes Can Cause an Explosion

If your painting project requires the spraying of cabinets, woodwork or furniture with lacquer, please take extra precautions. Spraying of lacquer and even certain oil base paints can be not only hazardous to one’s health but can cause an explosion in some cases. If a homeowner or contractor does not know the safety facts about certain paint products, it could be a fatal or life threating mistake. We strongly suggest hiring a painting contractor who specializes in finishing of woodwork. Ask them some good questions about ventilation, the product they are using, and how they will protect your home against a possible explosion. If you have an doubt about the company, please check references and ask how they protected the home during the spraying process.

We wanted to bring this to your attention, because we recently heard of a tragic case where two men were seriously injured while using lacquer. One of the main things they did wrong was try to properly ventilate the place during the project rather than before they started. Certain lacquers are excellent products, but they really are dangerous to something as simple as a small spark while plugging in an electrical cord.

Chism Brothers Painting is aware of the hazards and safety issues of lacquer and can help answer any questions you may have for your next project.

To read the short article from Channel 10 News, click here.

Union Tribune: Spirit of Giving Award

Last Friday, the Union Tribune’s, Burl Stiff, wrote an article on the Las Patronas luncheon and the beneficiaries of their fundraising efforts. Our company name was also mentioned towards the end of the article. Mike and Pat Chism have volunteered their time for the past 14 years to help prepare for the Jewel Ball using their skill of painting. Each January, the Chism’s have set up a paint sprayer at the Las Patronas office and helped paint out the previous years backdrops for the Jewel Ball. Before Chism Brothers Painting was involved in this effort, the backdrops took several Saturdays to paint, because it was all done with brushes and rollers. Now the project takes less than 4 hours! We really appreciate the kind award granted to us by Las Patronas, and we will happily return to volunteer at Las Patronas in 2008 and the years to come!

To read the whole article: Click Here

A Great Checklist for Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

I recently looked up a website of a Remodeling Contractor I know in North County, San Diego. Oakwood Remodeling has a beautiful website with lots of information about remodeling. I thought I would pass on their helpful checklist for those considering a kitchen remodel. This checklist is a good thing to think through before even calling a contractor to give you a bid. If there is one thing I have learned in the painting business (which is the same for construction/remodeling) it is that no two bids are alike. A homeowner can tell 3 painters, “I want my house painted top to bottom...” However, each estimator looks at the project differently, misses things, and/or bids the project his way. If you had a checklist for your projects, it would make the bids easier to understand and more consistent.

Kitchen Remodeling Checklist from Oakwood Remodeling

Coffee with Your Estimate

Recently we began delivering fresh coffee to our potential clients as a way of saying thank you for calling our office. Coffee is a symbol of friendship and is a good conversation starter. I have received a number of personal notes from people saying that they LOVE the coffee. We order our coffee right off the press (roaster), label it, and deliver it to your home when we give estimates. The Chism Brother’s staff is very particular about the way they make coffee in their office. They want the highest quality coffee, a great coffee machine, freshly filtered water, and the perfect cup. They really do strive for the same sort of high quality in their paint jobs. This translates to estimators and painters showing up on time, using quality products and a producing a great paint job. You’ll love our coffee, and we know you’ll LOVE our painting service.

If you would like to order your own freshly roasted coffee, go directly to The Bean Wear Company. They also have great coffee shirts for sale (only $15.00).

Valentine’s Day & Painting

There is still time to schedule your painting before Valentine’s Day. If your project is on the small side, consider painting a bedroom as a Valentine’s Day gift for your loved one! We can help with colors and make the process easy. Our current Painter For a Day price is only $570* for the day. Our customers love this program. If you do not want to paint a bedroom, spruce up the home for a day! Before commiting to a larger project, give us a try and see how you like our work!

Las Patronas Work Day

Chism Brothers Painting just completed their annual Saturday paint day with Las Patronas. Every January, Las Patronas begins the painting of their backdrops for their annual Jewel Ball. Next week, Chism Brothers will be receiving the 2006 Spirit of Giving award from Las Patronas. Mike and Pat began volunteering their time with a few of their painters over 14 years ago. This year, the painting was completed by President, Mike Chism and two of our painters: Oscar and Travis. Thank you Oscar and Travis for serving this year (especially on a Saturday!)

We look forward to another successful year for Las Patronas of San Diego!

Current Painting Schedule

We are currently booking painting projects for the end of January and the first part of February. We do have room for a few small projects within the next 2 weeks. We would love to earn your trust and business, and hope you think we are worth the wait. Some companies will tell you they can start right away, but in reality the job will probably not be done right or quickly. Sometimes painters will begin several projects right away to please the customer. What we at Chism Brothers try to do is schedule your project when we can focus completely on your project! We will start and complete your project as promised.

House Rendering Watercolor Artist

David Chism’s mother in law, Cath Howard, is a very talented watercolor artist. She specializes in house renderings. She is located in Frederick County, Maryland but takes custom orders and sells prints online. The homes back east are so unique that people hire her to paint certain areas of their properties. We are including her website and information for our clients and web visitors.

Her painting are a great gift idea as well. If you would like your home painted by Cath with custom framing available, please visit her website: CathHoward.com

Happy New Year 2007

Beginning January 2, Chism Brothers Painting will begin our 25th year of painting homes in San Diego. We look forward to continuing to provide a quality service, at quality prices and with quality results. Our estimator will be returning from vacation on the 8th of January. We are scheduling estimates starting on the 8th at this time. Also, on January 2nd, Chism Brothers Painting will begin painting the Lamb’s Player Theatre for the next week. We are looking forward to working with Lamb’s for the 2007 season.

Happy New Year to our Fellow San Diego Customers!

What Do YOU Like or NOT Like About Remodeling or Painting

We would like to hear from our web viewers and customers about what you like and don’t like about the remodeling industry. We want to help make remodeling and painting better for you. If you can briefly share some of the frustrations you have had with contractors and some positive experiences, we’d appreciate it. We want to improve our services and point our customers in the right direction for excellent remodeling companies.

Please comment to this blog entry or send us an . Thank you so much, in advance, for sharing!

Chism Brothers: Company Party 2006

We had an excellent turnout at our annual Christmas Party for all of our employees. This year, Phil’s BBQ, catered the ribs and chicken! We updated our company photo as well.

We are very blessed to have our current staff. Our goal has been to build a company that works as a team, and we feel that we are on the right track. We know that we have a great group of people representing our company well and serving our customers with the best possible service. We had a great 2006 painting season, and we look forward to continuing to serve San Diego with painting services that are done professionally and right.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!