Acoustic Ceiling Removal & Painting

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Interior repaints are most common and we do a lot of room makeovers,popcorn ceiling removal,sheet rock repair tape & texture,faux and custom work medium and small jobs.My company has done big jobs in the past like 10,000 sq ft jobs on new custom homes but i prefer not to do those jobs. So i guess mainly we do interior repaints...

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Everyone says they are a professional contractor and can do it quick and cheap,don't be fooled.Do they have a good knowledge of the type of work your looking to have done? Do they look and act like a pro? Don't give a big chunk of money up front by law only 10 % is allowed.Make sure they are making progress that reflects the payments you are giving out.Ask for pictures,some kind of a reference list,do they clean up and protect things? Do they use top of the line products,does the work look like a professional contractor did it? Check there surface prep and attention to detail...

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. how to make colors work in a room or home and how to ajust or tweak the color and dial it in and make it work
doing faux the right way giving it a very organic look
how do they do wall repair? how do you get a patch to go away especially after you paint it! faux is very popular-work the wall at angles never straight up & down "less is always better" critique your own work objectively.Don't leave a "CROWN" on your patches sand high areas down on textured walls wipe all edges of patches with a wet sponge to"melt the edge.Painting a surface with pro results-Don't always trust masking tape pull it up when paint is wet don't wait for it to dry/take the time to cover and protect all surfaces not being painted.Always start at the top(ceiling) work your way down keep a wet edge.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Do you have a contractors License? Every Contractor has a *pocket license. Ask to see it, check the Exp-date..
Do you do this type of work? Can I see your work?

What is your work experience?

how many years.

Do they give or have Attention to detail in there work?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Know what you want and what your expectations are."scope of work" explain as best you can what you want done in every room.Prep- how far you want to take things featherd edges on trim,filling,caulking etc...A basic color scheme talk about the number of coats required for proper coverage.If doing a popcorn ceiling removal be ready for your home to be in upheaval (LOL) for a short time be patient and communicate clearly when you are asking for updates KNOW WHAT YOU WANT get a good

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I have been in my trade over 27 years
*I have completed a 3 year *certified apprenticeship program
*I was a "job foreman" at Bob Kunst painting over 10 years
*Ask me about our warranty for all paint jobs
*I take great pride in my work,as the owner i do almost all the work & i am at every job and oversee the progress and the quality of the workmanship

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love my job and have gained a high level of skill in my trade i mostly do interior work but with the economy we are doing more exteriors.
I enjoy changing the look and feel of a room or the entire home,I just really like to fix or repair a damaged wall or broken trim,sometimes i think wow this poor home needs some attention and care after all i am in the "home improvement" industry. http://photobucket.com/tradesmanptg

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. when can you give me a bid? normally within 24hrs
when can you start? we schedule all work per our schedule book
how much will it cost? we are a small and locally owned business with low overhead=very competitive prices
how long will it take? we bid our jobs on 8 hr "man days" we try hard to stay on our schedule-however long it takes to do the job right is the most important thing to me we stand behind all our jobs/work

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. When i was in my first year of apprenticeship we did volunteer work for habitat for humanity (thru Bob Kunst ptg) mainly in oakland the people were older and not much money it was a really good feeling we later painted the dining room at ST Vincent's in San Rafael,Ca.
Also just would like to add that i really enjoy my bringing my trade/profession into someones home and changing the look and feel of a room or rooms.It is so nice when you see how happy my clients are,and take a boring room(s) that has been neglected over the years and bring it up to date it is so amazing the impact that painting,new colors and good workmanship can have...

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I would have to say the amount of time that it takes to be a true professional...Not someone who is self taught or the trial and error phase when you are on the "learning curve" I want people/clients to know that I am bringing 30 years of professional experience into there home and I live my trade and do my job well and have dedicated a big portion of my life to the painting and decorating industry. I owe a lot to the company I worked at Bob Kunst Painting inc(TY bob,tom & mike) and also probably 1 of the best painters in the entire bay area Gary Townsend (TY for all the lessons&help)...

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I am the youngest of 5 and the son of an Air Force Colonel/Principle I chose not to go to college and in my late teens/early 20's found myself looking for a career, a friend of mine got me a into the painters union and i was a high rise painter in down town SF for several years before coming to Bob Kunst Painting where i was a job foreman for over 10 years and Bob was actually my teacher in my first year of apprenticeship school in San Francisco what a blessing that job was to my career...

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I did a room make over in the town of sonoma for Robert and Nancy they were so awesome and very patient we installed double beaded Victorian crown moulding (spelled correctly) and then I did a multicolored "faux" marble (french for false) job on there entry and living room walls.This was a major job in there 2 rooms which included popcorn ceiling and wallpaper removal,sheet rock demo and rehang new sheet rock then reskim and texture all walls we used automotive paint on the new "crown" and door casings wow what a huge huge improvement...(i have posted pix of this job called R&N sonoma)

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. There is always a new product to try, besides the certificates I have posted online. I talk on a regular basis with the paint reps at kelly-moore and Benjiman-moore this winter I would like to take the color theory course at C.O.M

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. I guess the low odor and low V.O.C paints.Also the technology of latex paints has come a long way as have the acrylics that are used in most major manufactures of paints. Taping tools and the new Graco texture machines are a big improvement. The new lead laws are important to keep up on.My trade is some what old world and the basic mediums such as a paint brush,roller,plaster or joint compound,trowel or a taping knife, and the dynamic of the artisan/tradesman will never change.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. Even with the economy the way it is good contractors will keep busy, such is the case with Tradesman Painting. We do a lot of Acoustic Ceiling removal jobs all the time. And drywall patches and installation,texture jobs keep us busy. Not to mention our repaints and remodels or our room makeover jobs- We just finished a kitchen and Spray Finished all the Cabinets and the Crown Moulding. We use Benjamin Moore Ironclad Industrial Enamel on all our jobs.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. My preference is to meet and view the the scope of work
then I do a take off on the job and labor production
Any standard 8x8 or 9x9 Acoustic ceiling removal job
including all labor and painting only 290.00

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. work for at least 5-7 years for a contractor that has a business with a good reputation.
Be patient and have respect for your trade and be ready to commit yourself to learning->push yourself to be the best.