Suppose you’re thinking of starting a commercial paint project. In that case, you know that there are many things to consider when dealing with a commercial painting in the Bay Area project, such as finding the right contractor or how much budget you should allot for your next painting project.
No two projects are the same. Fortunately, Custom Painting, Inc.’s team has completed thousands of painting projects. The following tips can be applied no matter the type of surface, building, or paint job and can help your commercial space look fantastic.
Choose the right colors
Well-chosen paint colors will make a significant difference in interior painting and will contribute to the positive experience and satisfaction of the clients, tenants, or employees. Color choice can significantly influence a client’s perception of a business.
Colors can reinforce your company’s brand identity. For example, a neutral color palette can be suitable for office interiors or businesses like law firms. On the other hand, certain business establishments such as beauty salons, retail shops, and cafes can benefit from a bolder palette.
Prepare the walls before starting
Proper preparation is essential for a successful commercial painting project. Prepping the walls before painting can affect how durable the paint will be and how smooth the final paint job will look like. You can do the prep work yourself so when the commercial painters arrive, they can quickly get down to business while also lessening your fees along the way.
In your interiors, start with clearing the walls. Remove all decor from the walls, shelves, other surfaces to be painted, and fixtures such as wall lamps. Push lightweight furniture away from the walls. Cover the floor and heavier furniture with drop cloths to avoid paint drips and splashes. Tape the floor edges, trim, and anything else you don’t want to be painted.
Once everything is neat and clean, inspect the walls for cracks, dents, and bumps. Fill these fissures with joint compound or plaster, let the compound dry, and smooth the surface with sandpaper. Sand the bumpy surfaces to provide a smooth and even base for the new topcoat to stick on.
Prime the walls
Applying a primer is essential, especially if you are making a significant color change or painting over a darker shade. Primer not only provides a good surface for the paint to adhere to but also helps block stains and make the paint job last longer. In some cases, professional painters recommend using tinted primers to achieve true color saturation with fewer coats of paint. These types of primers are especially useful when covering existing bright colors.
Choose the right time
Timing is critical, especially for exterior painting projects. Avoid painting in extreme temperatures, as it will affect drying time and the ability of the paint to stick. The ideal conditions are usually mild weather without excessive humidity or direct sunlight. This consideration is critical in the Bay Area, where weather can vary significantly across regions.
Schedule your commercial painting project
One big challenge for any business owner is scheduling paint projects for their commercial space. The challenges lie in balancing a schedule that would effectively minimize disruption of their daily operations and inconvenience to their customers, tenants, and employees while ensuring the project is completed promptly.
Depending on the business, the best times to conduct a paint job would be after office hours, on weekends, or on holidays. Scheduling may be tricky when it comes to painting hospitality establishments, such as hospitals and retirement facilities. This is when it is imperative to know the “down” times of your business. If you have certain rooms, sections, or areas that are not used frequently or are unoccupied, they will help you plan a painting schedule on a rotating basis.
If you cannot schedule your paint project outside of working hours or during the holidays, you should discuss it with your employees and ensure they are informed of your project’s work and time frame. This will ensure their safety and well-being while the painting project takes place.
Do quality control checks
As the business owner, make sure to do quality control checks throughout the painting process. Professional painters regularly assess their work as they go, checking for consistency in color and texture, but also check it yourself to see if you’re satisfied with their work. Painters must correct any imperfections to ensure the final result meets your expectations and the industry standards.
Ensure safe handling and storage of materials
Proper handling and storage of painting materials are vital to ensure safety and compliance with fire codes. Paints, thinners, and other solvents should be stored in cool, well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources. The professional painter you hire must know this, so ask if they have safety data sheets (SDS) for all materials accessible on-site, as these sheets provide critical information on handling emergencies related to these substances.
Get permit and inspection requirements
Depending on the location and scale of the project, obtaining the necessary permits can be a requirement. These permits ensure the painting meets all local building codes and safety standards. Regular inspections might also be part of the process to ensure ongoing compliance with these standards throughout the duration of the project.
Ensure training and certification
Ensuring that all personnel are properly trained and certified can also be a part of regulatory compliance. This includes training on the safe use of equipment and proper painting techniques, as well as specialized training for handling hazardous materials or working in high-risk environments, such as on scaffolding or elevated platforms.
Final Word
Suppose you’re looking for the right contractor that is licensed and with proper training and certification. In that case, you should consider working with Custom Painting, Inc. Our experienced painters and carpenters know the ins and outs of residential and commercial painting for Bay Area projects. For over 40 years, we have provided quality interior and exterior painting services for residential and commercial properties in the Bay Area, including East Bay.
To request an estimate for commercial painting projects with us, visit our request estimate page here or contact us at 510-795-0903.