I hope this is okay, but since so many of you are pros, I had a question about painting. We bought a new very old house. I had a painter look at three large bedrooms. One needs wall paper removed, and all have a few holes to patch up from electricians and the old knob and tube work. There is a lot of trim, including 3 doors per room, some with oil paint that needs a primer coat for new latex paint. He has outstanding recommendations and said he usually underbids. His quote just about made me drop my coffee. $5500. I have always done my own painting (and am not very good at it), so I really have no idea if this is in line. I could get a few more quotes, but my neighbors raved about this guy.
Interior painting rates - Philly suburbs
- Thread starter Deke
- Start date
Deke, if it makes you feel better get another quote from a respected tradesman and give him the opportunity of winning the job. If you intend to use the original painter anyway don't waste the time of others. You will soon forget about how much you paid for a quality job, but you will be forever looking at it.Deke said:
Harry.
You've explained the amount of time consuming stuff he has to do. Remove wallpaper and most likely skim coat it to make it look good. Estimate how many man hours it will take him and the cost of his materials and then decide if it's a rate your willing to pay. Or if that sounds way too much like your bidding the job yourself, then decide if the convenience of having it done by a professional with good reviews is worth the cost.
I personally never price shop. If I want something I want it to be nice and convenient. I own a business and have 2 small kids, I've got enough stress. So for me it'd be between doing it myself or paying the money, I wouldn't look for someone cheaper.
I personally never price shop. If I want something I want it to be nice and convenient. I own a business and have 2 small kids, I've got enough stress. So for me it'd be between doing it myself or paying the money, I wouldn't look for someone cheaper.
It sounds like a lot of money, but I would ask him about the process and what distinguishes his work from a lower competing bit. I'm sure he would be happy to explain.
In my inexperienced view, it boils down to time. Evertime I look at the work the previous owner contracted out, I cringe. Everything I have painted is done well, but I spent a lot more time than anyone on a clock would spend. Only issue is I hate painting as much as I hate paying for painting. But if I'm going to pay, it will only be for better work than I would do myself!
In my inexperienced view, it boils down to time. Evertime I look at the work the previous owner contracted out, I cringe. Everything I have painted is done well, but I spent a lot more time than anyone on a clock would spend. Only issue is I hate painting as much as I hate paying for painting. But if I'm going to pay, it will only be for better work than I would do myself!
tiralie
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Deke said:
I can't really comment on prices for painting in your area as regional costs (overheads) vary substantially. Was this a firm (writen) quote or an estimate? I would guess the largest part of his cost and the price is the labour removing the wall paper. The fact that you don't understand his quote is either a sign he is too busy and didn't take the time to explain, and/or doesn't understand or care where his prices sit relative to the market and can't explain his value. The spring is typically a very busy time for contractors. Neighbours raving about a contractor means many things, ask specific questions about why they like his work and if that is in line with what you want or need then you are a good fit. Otherwise get other quotes.
Tim
Rip Van Winkle
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Philly suburbs doesn't really narrow prices down, since different suburbs around Philadelphia, and the different areas of Philly itself, have demographics that can be anywhere from a large percentage of people living on food stamps, to heirs of estates like Campbells soup. There are also plenty of people in the middle tier as well.
Contractor rates vary, and I'm not sure what a "quality" professional painter, experienced with dealing with older houses would run, but $100 an hour for an experienced professional, and $50 for an apprentice seems usual in some parts of Philly for jobs like plumbing and electrical. $5,500 for three rooms is just over $1,800 per room, or per day if you figure three days. If you estimate the days at 10 hours each for a master painter and assistant, you wind up at $4,500, with $1,000 left over to cover paint, plaster, supplies, and maybe "Oh Smerf" expenses. I wouldn't want to spend this if the guy was just an average american "painter" though. I also wouldn't take references from a single person, unless you were familiar with the before and after work, and or knew the person well for a cery long time.
As far as the work that needs to be done, patching holes in old plaster, like plaster and lathe, can be tricky to do right. Joint compound or patching with plaster board can look like crap, or flake of old lime plaster over time, and even wet plaster can be problematic, and the wet plaster doesn't dry quickly.
I would be somewhat skeptical of someone who says they usually underbid. I've known honest contractors who may mention a job was more difficult or took longer than expected once the job was done or towards the end, but not usually before they've started.
Contractor rates vary, and I'm not sure what a "quality" professional painter, experienced with dealing with older houses would run, but $100 an hour for an experienced professional, and $50 for an apprentice seems usual in some parts of Philly for jobs like plumbing and electrical. $5,500 for three rooms is just over $1,800 per room, or per day if you figure three days. If you estimate the days at 10 hours each for a master painter and assistant, you wind up at $4,500, with $1,000 left over to cover paint, plaster, supplies, and maybe "Oh Smerf" expenses. I wouldn't want to spend this if the guy was just an average american "painter" though. I also wouldn't take references from a single person, unless you were familiar with the before and after work, and or knew the person well for a cery long time.
As far as the work that needs to be done, patching holes in old plaster, like plaster and lathe, can be tricky to do right. Joint compound or patching with plaster board can look like crap, or flake of old lime plaster over time, and even wet plaster can be problematic, and the wet plaster doesn't dry quickly.
I would be somewhat skeptical of someone who says they usually underbid. I've known honest contractors who may mention a job was more difficult or took longer than expected once the job was done or towards the end, but not usually before they've started.
You need a full detailed quote .There could be a fortune is some fancy paint he or you have requested etc .I always find i am reluctant to comment without knowing the full facts .What if all the skim comes off when the paper is removed et c.Is that included etc ?
