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**BumbleBee** · 08-22-2012, 09:12 AM

Personally I would go with my gut feeling. I haven't hired for painting but I did hire a small business landscaping company to replace an old rotted retaining wall. I got 3 bids and they were quite the range as well. While I considered cost, the lowest bid company were, quite frankly, jerks. Middle bid were very nice, answered and asked questions, and I felt very at ease with. Highest bid were professional but didn't ask any questions and answered most questions with "we are professionals, we know what we're doing."

In the end I went with the one I felt most comfortable with.

Just my 2 cents, hope it helped some.

**AfterSchoolMom** · 08-22-2012, 10:23 AM

Personally, I'd just paint it myself. We've done all of our own painting, and it is a little time consuming but saves a boatload of money.

However, I don't see anything wrong with hiring the lone man to do just two rooms. I wouldn't see why he couldn't get them done in a day or two.

**itlw8** · 08-22-2012, 10:33 AM

In a small room there will not be much crew... the ower will not be painting he will send one or at most 2 men out to do the job.

Unless you have vaulted ceiling that require scaffolding do it yourself. Home Depot even teaches a class on painting

It is time to learn how to do some of this stuff if you are going to own a house.

**Crazy8** · 08-22-2012, 10:35 AM

for those rooms one guy should be able to get it done - I'd go with the guy you felt the best about.

I just had my family room done because its a high 2 story room and would have been hard for DH to do it. It was about $800 just for that room and ceiling and that was the lowest quote I received! 2 guys did it in one day but I wouldn't say they did a great job - they skimped on spackling blemishes, etc. - It looks decent but wasn't done with any type of perfection at all.

**My3cents** · 08-22-2012, 10:52 AM

if you don't want to do it yourself

Try asking guy number one for references and call them. Find out what he did for them and ask what they thought of his work and time management.

We have done all three ways and sometimes the crew don't take the detailed time, they are just workers, working for a pay check. The lone guy takes more time and is building up his business with word of mouth and reputation. Then the me- I am too picky for my own good, make a big mess, use more paint then the normal person would, and drain myself in the process and drive everyone bonkers, but save tons of money.

One of my kiddo's is here today on her normal day off, because they are having their house painted. Tee hee, I asked Mom don't you want her running around while they paint....she is 18 months. I can see the prints all over the other rooms and the child. Funny.

Good luck and enjoy your new home, and paint job once it is done.

**DaisyMamma** · 08-22-2012, 10:54 AM

It sounds like a small job and the one guy should be plenty to get it done.

**e.j.** · 08-22-2012, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by frugalmama4

But I thought you gal's and guys would have a answer for me.

What is a good cost to have the kitchen and living room painted.

Kitchen -10x10

Living room-18x19

I have gotten six bids so far from $500.00-$875, not sure where to go.

One guy I really like (small business owner trying to get a leg up) was so nice and answered all my questions. The only thing its just him "no crew" worried will he not be able to get the job done.

The other guy I really liked to (small business with a crew) but the highest bid. I have seen pictures of his work very detailed "just my style" but so high.

This is our first home and begin bless to have the $$$ to allocate towards hiring a painter I wanna make the right decisions. My gut is telling me to go with guy number one because we have other paint jobs on the list to do and I would rather have a steady relationship with one person/company. But the other guy stands out more because of his crew.

Any thoughts??? Thanks

Last year, we paid $1500 for our kitchen, downstairs hall and upstairs hall to be painted so the quotes you got seem very reasonable to me. I think a lot depends on the going rate in your area. The person we hired has his own painting business and has been doing it for many years. His experience allows him to work very quickly. We hired him again this spring to paint the outside of the house. It took 3 weeks but that was mostly because he had to work around the weather.

**frugalmama4** · 08-22-2012, 12:29 PM

Afterschoolmom, oh how we had dreams of getting our first home and during all the DIY things...but after our first attempt at painting...I'm totally over it! :

:

My3cents, yeah I text guy # one and he called right back and said he would bring me a list of references and pic's "I'm liking him more & more"

I need to act quick...hubby just text and said he would ask his dad how much he would charge to do it. By all means I love my father-n-law but don't like his handy work...

Thanks ya!

**daycarediva** · 08-22-2012, 12:48 PM

Go with the small owner. Dh owns his own plumbing business and there is a reason he doesn't want to expand and hire a crew. NOBODY will do a better job than someone who owns the business. His name is attached to every pipe and he takes pride in his work. He has built a relationship with soooo many customers that they know us and stop me when I am out to say how dedicated my husband is. He also bids the lowest out of every company, simply because he doesn't have the overhead, kwim?

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