College Pro Painters

In many areas across the country, the cold weather has begun blowing into your community, creating the perfect opportunity for fall home maintenance projects. It is a fact of homeownership that there are always projects to be completed; however, at minimum, you should tackle these 5 projects to get your home ready for the winter season.
Cooler fall days are the perfect time to refresh your home's exterior with a fresh paint job. Exterior painting is one of the smartest and most cost-effective ways to beautify your home and to preserve its longevity. An effective painting project has a very basic process that one must follow to ensure a quality job:

1. Cleaning: The dirt should be cleaned off your home, power-washing if necessary and hand-washing delicate areas. The trees, bushes and other delicate parts of your property should be covered, and the window screens and storm windows should be removed.

2.Scraping, priming, and minor maintenance: Loose paint should be removed, large holes and cracks should be spackled, bare areas should be primed, rough spots should be sanded, and the windows should be caulked. Additional services depend upon the condition of your home.

3.Painting: You should use full-finish, premium paints. If your home is being painted a different color, you may need a second coat.

4.Clean-up: You should pick up the debris and clean the job site.

5.Inspection/warranty registration if you are not doing it yourself: You should ensure that all contract areas are painted properly and touched up. If you are not doing it yourself, ensure the company you contract with provides a warranty to register upon completion of the project.

Exterior painting is the top do-it-yourself project out there; however, it takes a lot of time and energy, and is often the least favorite project for homeowners. Paying careful attention to the prep stages (items 1 and 2 above) of the project are the most important to ensure your paint job lasts. Often times, hiring a professional painting company is the best choice for exterior painting.

Tony Valle, CEO of College Pro Painters, says that "At College Pro Painters, our work serves to realize the beauty and meaning of your home. When accomplished correctly, painting will lower your utility bills this winter and create a meaningful environment for you and your family, adding real value to your home, not just improving its resale value."