I know that I’m probably just being a pain, but I’m about to go out of my mind on this paint job I’m having done. I hired a local handy man that has done several jobs for me in the past and works very well and he brought along a younger gentleman that seems to very knowledgeable about what he is doing.
My house is approx 1300 sq feet and is mostly windows all around the house. True they are also painting the trim and eaves of this single story, but the first time I painted a different gentleman pressure washed the entire house and painted everything in a day and a half and it looked great. Now I have two men pressure washing and painting and we are now on the third day.
They are doing a very nice detailed job and are being paid for the job, not the hour, but just wonder if there is too much goofing off while I’m at work or is it typical to take this much time on a job. I’m to the point now if I don’t see my usual handyman another day in our lives, I will be totally OK with that.
The amount of time necessary depends on a great deal of things. Like the preparation and amount needed, the number of coats of paint, etc. It sound like they are doing a nice job and you should be happy with the results when they are finished.
Typically a small single level ranch needing only a little prep will take 2-3 days depending on the colors and needed details. The more details the longer it takes.
Good work takes time!
I run into this often when I am bidding a job and I mention it will take 3-5 days to complete an exterior of a smallish "cracker-box" type home. The owner's eye bulge and they say "That long? I had this painted three years ago and it only took 2 days!"
My response is this…
"If I painted it three years ago, you wouldn't need a paint job now." Quality materials and proper preparation is the difference between a good paint job and a job that will not last."
After powerwashing the house needs to dry well before it can be scraped and/or sanded where necessary. Then caulked properly then primed. Another day to dry and then paint. If two coats are necessary, add yet another dry day.
You paid for the job to be done, you shouldn't complain that they are giving it the attention it deserves. This will pay off in dividends if you get 10-20 years before needing another repaint!
If you are unhappy with the quality of the end result, address that with the handyman and then you can bring up the time factor.
I hope this helps keep perspective.
