Paul Demosthenes Painting and Decorating Inc. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know my color selection will look good?
A: "Based on my 31 years of color matching—working with interior decorators, architects and heavyweights in the construction industry—I can tell just by the color selection if it’s going to look good. I can guide you."
Q: Are you going to be neat?
A: "Absolutely. We do everything we can to protect your interior furniture, shrubbery and other valuables."
Q: Can I trust your painters with my property?
A: "I trust my workers completely. When I hire someone new, I generally call other painting contractors—I don’t pick someone up off the street. It will be someone who’s worked with a contractor that I trust and respect."
Q: How long have your employees been with you?
A: "On average, about seven years."
Q: Why should I use you when I can hire other painters for less?
A: "Because I’ve been in this business long enough to know exactly what it takes to do a good job. If a price is much lower than mine, there’s a reason. Either the company is paying tax to its workers, cutting corners or using an inferior paint. There are many ways to get a lower quality, cheaper paint job. It’s kind of like the difference between a Mercedes and a Volkswagen. Why is the Mercedes able to charge what they do?"
Q: I try to be environmentally conscious. Can paint be truly Green?
A: "Yes. Paint is rated by VOCs (volatile organic compounds) per liter. When I first started in the industry, the VOCs were between 800 and 1,000 per liter. Throughout the decades, because of government regulations, manufacturers had to reduce those VOCs. Many of today’s paints have very low VOCs—some are even zero-VOC—and they’re good, but not great. There are compromises, but under the right applications, they can be fantastic.When people have children and they’re looking for low-VOC paint because of paint fumes or the like, that’s the direction we take. With enamels, you have to be more careful. Water-based enamels don’t dry as hard as oil-based ones, and they have a tendency to stick on the paint. I listen carefully to what a client wants and tell them the pros and cons for every one of these products, based on true-to-life experience."
Q: Do you do phone quotes?
A: "No. There are too many variables. The price could be $2,000 or $22,000. Do you have aluminum windows that don’t have to be painted? Do you have fancy wood sash or ornate trim? Are there 10-foot ceilings or eight-foot ceilings? With so many variables, just going by square footage isn’t logistical."