From Estimate to First Coat: How a Painting Job Gets Started

Most of the stress in hiring a painter comes from not knowing the order of things. Who comes out, what's in the estimate, how long until the crew shows up, what happens on day one. Here is how a Reeves Painting job runs, from the first phone call to the last touch-up, so there are no surprises along the way.

Step one: the free estimate

It starts with a call. Following your request for a free estimate, a painting professional visits your home to discuss your project in detail, help with color selection and set a date for prep work. The visit happens on site because paint estimates depend on things a photo can't show: the condition of the surfaces, the height of the ceilings, how much repair the walls need.

After the visit you get a printed estimate that includes all materials and labor, pricing and work specifications. It's written down, so you can read it at the kitchen table, show it to your spouse and compare it with any other estimate you collect.

Reading an estimate

When you compare estimates, look past the bottom line. These are the lines worth checking:

• Which rooms or surfaces are included, listed by name.
• What prep is included: repairs, sanding, priming and caulking.
• Which paint and sheen are specified, and from which supplier.
• How the work area is protected: floors, furniture and landscaping.
• Materials, labor and pricing all stated, not rolled into one number.

Two estimates for the same house can look very different when one includes real prep and the other skips it. The one that looks cheaper is the one to read twice.

Step two: colors, contract and scheduling

Once you've settled on colors, the specifications are confirmed and the contract is signed. Work begins anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks after the estimate, once color selections and work specifications have been confirmed and the work contract has been signed. That timing depends on the crew's calendar and on how quickly you decide, so the fastest way to an earlier start is to settle on colors early.

Use that gap well. Test your colors on a foam board, decide on sheens, and make a list of every spot in the house that bothers you so it can be added to the specifications before work starts. We accept cash or check.

Step three: prep work and the first coat

Prep is where a painting job is won, and it's where much of the crew's time goes. We protect and move furniture and items out of the work area, complete drywall repairs and take care of any necessary maintenance before painting. Plastering, priming and thorough prep are part of the complete service. This is also the stage where a room often gets sealed in plastic, with fixtures bagged and floors covered in drop cloths.

Then the paint goes on. We start with one coat of your desired color and consult with you throughout the process to ensure complete satisfaction. That first coat is your chance to see the color on the wall in your own light, and to say so if something looks off. It's far better to hear it then than after the room is finished.

At the end of each work day your home is left clean and safe, so the rest of the house stays yours while the work goes on.

Step four: completion and follow-up

Our job is not complete until you're satisfied. The crew inspects each work area for final touch-ups, and the project ends with a final walk-through and inspection. Walk the rooms with the crew, in daylight if you can, and point out anything you want adjusted. Touch-ups continue until that walk-through is done.

Customers notice when this goes well. Abigayle Haynes wrote that the crew "worked quick, sent updates, and took care to cover all floors and surfaces." Dominic Sipe, whose new build home the crew painted, said they were "Very attentive to detail and made sure everything looked right."

Good to know before you call

We're based in Lindale and serve Lindale, Longview, Tyler and surrounding areas within a 100 mile radius. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with weekends by appointment only. We're insured, BBB Accredited since 2018, and have over 20 years of experience.

To get started, call (903) 360-3570 during business hours and ask for a free estimate. Someone will come out, look at the work and give you a written plan you can read, compare and take your time with.