ArtTrek
Custom Quality House
Painting is much more
than what can be seen on the surface. It is years of experience,
integrity, and an approach reminiscent of the "Arts and Crafts
Movement" of the mid 19th century; an approach where a thoughtful
process
assures that the investment made in your house will be protected
for many years to come. It is a cost-conscious
process where
protecting and
beautifying your house is the bottom line. A process that
encourages collaboration between contractor and home owner to
determine strategy and methods of execution; in an open,
transparent manner. Houses are not painted in a vacuum, but at
your home. Concerns of both homeowner and contractor need to
addressed in an honest, forthright way, early and often during the
course of work. Clear detailed proposal/ contracts and work
orders, in compliance with the Oregon Construction Contractors
Board, are provided to facilitate communication and project
completion, with maximum productivity and efficiency.
ArtTrek
Custom Quality House Painting
is
different
from commercial house
painting where large organizations,
often with an overriding profit motive, compete to survive in an
economy where fast money, costly advertising, mass production, and
mediocrity pass for "craftspersonship". Attention to detail and
personal service are just some of the visible differences you can
see with with custom quality painting. That quality extends well
below surface. See
"Is it time to
think about
painting?"
Productivity "Production",
needs to be well planned because of the inherent and unavoidable
"non-productive" time associated with set up, clean up, color/
product changes, masking & draping, brush/ spray equipment
clean up, color matching, paint store trips, travel, etc. Many
factors affect productivity. Many are controllable, some are not.
An efficient process, using skilled, experienced, well coordinated
labor and the best materials affordable, is a good start in
maximizing productivity. Clear access and a clean, uninterrupted
work site are absolutely necessary for the best results. A
holistic approach where each operation of the project is completed
in its entirety in an orderly manner as it relates to the finished
product, makes for a minimum of costly
"operation
changes". Operation changes cut into
production time, so they need to be carefully thought out and
minimized where possible.
Is it a Bid or is it an
Estimate? ArtTrek does both. A
bid
is a "fixed" price for specific services rendered, using specific
materials. Assuming both parties to the agreement understand each
other well, this can be a fine arrangement. The main benefit of a
"bid" is that the homeowner knows roughly what
the job will cost.
Of course, unexpected and previously unspecified
add ons by the
homeowner and unforseen circumstances affecting productivity
beyond the control of the contractor can increase, even the price
of a bid. Unless communication about expectations concerning the
bid is good, either the job, or the price, could suffer.
Unanticipated costs can squeeze even the most honest and able
contractor. The most accurate of bids cannot necessarily reflect
every contingency that may be encountered, thus a "bid" is usually
quoted higher, to
cover unforeseen circumstances; such as even, gasp...
human error!
An estimate is
not
a bid, but we take them very seriously.
Every effort is made to carefully anticipate contingencies. But,
because it is not a bid, working an estimate for "Time and
Materials" allows the freedom to address previously unanticipated
costs; upon discovery, as they occur. It allows for the
flexibility of addressing
problems, rather than ignoring them, or
worse, covering them up;
especially when
there is a tight budget. Priorities can, and should be
established, with resources tailored to maximize productivity and
overall quality. The strategy and scope may change, but quality
does not have to suffer.
ArtTrek
Custom Quality House Painting... What You See Is What You
Get.
Nothing can insure satisfaction with the job like a good working
relationship with your painting contractor.
Besides quality work, we offer personal service; from helping with
color choices to feeding the cat and watering the plants. When you
talk to us you are not talking to an "estimator" or the "boss" or
a salesman. You talk to the people who you are trusting to
actually come to your home and paint for you. We are not
"employees" of some company, we are responsible directly to you,
the homeowner. A little time
spent to getting to know your painters and how they work, is time
well spent. Even the most clairvoyant of relationships, need to be
nurtured with communication.
See
"Choosing
a
Contractor".