A General Rule of Thumb

We Can Do It All

On an estimate call yesterday, I was asked if we could change the texture of the current stucco on a home in Tierrasanta. It was an excellent question. The homeowner did not like the thick texture and wanted a smoother look. I asked if other painters were telling her they could do it, and she replied that one of the companies said they can change the stucco. I explained to her something that I thought would be of interest to you.

Hire Specialized Contractors
If a paint company says they can fully restucco your home, install crown moulding, install doors, change windows, do electrical work or remodel your kitchen, think twice before thinking they are the contractor from heaven. Painting is a specialized trade just like installing crown molding, stucco and plastering and remodeling are specialized. It takes many years to become skilled in any trade, and it is hard for a small business to offer quality services “in house” besides their specialized trade. The general rule of thumb is to hire a painter to paint, a window company for your windows and a contractor to remodel your kitchen.

Check Their Work First
My response to the woman in Tierrasanta yesterday is that we can provide a company to do the stucco project and manage it, but we ourselves cannot achieve the look she wants with our crew. It is possible that some companies will offer several different home improvement services, but to achieve the highest quality possible, it is still best to hire individual companies or have a general contractor take care of your home improvement needs. I have seen some pretty sorry projects when an individual said he could “do it all.” Be careful and look at their previous work to see if they really know what they are doing.