It is both a blessing and a curse that the Virginia, Maryland and D.C. areas experience all four seasons. However, the harsh weather can take a toll on the exterior of commercial buildings. If you’re noticing bubbling, fading, mold or rotting, then it’s time to consider painting the exterior of your building. Or, your business may be going through a rebrand and needs to update to the new style.
If it’s time to refresh the exterior of your building, there are steps you can take to extend the life of your building’s new paint job. Here are the steps you can take:
Find the right contractor
If you want the job done right, hire a professional. They bring a level of knowledge, experience, and quality that is well worth the investment. Save yourself time, money, and energy by hiring a contractor who can utilize their expertise to provide the best results.
- Efficiency. A contractor will know the best techniques to apply for the best outcome and the highest efficiency so that your employees or customers can get back to their normal day-to-day.
- Insurance. Look for the professionals who have all the right licenses for the project. Contractors have insurance that will cover problems that may arise.
- Equipment. Exterior painting requires more than just paint brushes. A contractor will have all the suspension equipment, safety gear, and cleaning supplies to get the job done right.
- Experience. A contractor knows what they’re doing because they’ve done it many times before. That experience is invaluable because they will have the insights to solve problems or apply the best practices for your unique needs.
Budget and scheduling
No one wants to break the bank. Budgeting properly will set you up for success. Determine what you can afford and factor in any extra services you need in the process, labor costs, and cost of your business shutting down for a period of time, if necessary. A good contractor will be able to take your budget into consideration and provide you with the best service possible to meet your needs.
As mentioned, the DMV experiences all four seasons, meaning it’s not always the best time for a paint job. Temperature is a major factor. For paint to dry properly, 50 degrees Fahrenheit is the recommended minimum. This rules out winter and late fall or early spring. Your contractor will work with you to decide the best timing based on the weather and your customers.
Color and coatings
Whether your company is going through a change or just needs to touch up the current exterior, you’re going to want to stay on brand. That includes colors, fonts, logos, and designs. Also, paint with your customers in mind. What signage would best help their experience? Close out your project with the proper coatings and finishes. Your building’s exterior experiences a lot of drama. The sun alone is enough to impact your paint job. Luckily, there are various coatings to protect your exterior and help the paint last longer.
Clean and repair
Another way to truly maximize your new paint job is to prepare the surface. Some of this you can do yourself, and some of it you might want to utilize your contractor further. Inspect the various exterior surfaces closely. Painting over damaged, dirty surfaces will only shorten the lifespan of your new paint job. You’re looking for mold, rot, pest damage, and any other form of deterioration. If necessary, pressure wash your building’s exterior and make the proper repairs before painting. Your contractor can help with this too!
Inform employees and customers
The final step before handing everything over to your contractor is to inform your employees, customers, or tenants if the exterior paint project will impede their entry to the building. Proper signage and email notice will help keep anyone accessing the building informed.
ULTRA Company provides property services to maintain your building’s appearance inside and out. Whether you’re looking to paint, pressure wash, remodel, or restore your property, ULTRA’s in-house team of highly skilled professionals provides uncompromising maintenance and repairs.
