Paint performance depends on the surface beneath it, not just the color selected. A Wood Village scope should map peeling, staining, failed sealant, moisture and repairs before naming primer or finish coats. For older homes, ask whether EPA lead-safe rules apply. Give every painter the same preparation, product and protection requirements so bids describe the same coating system.
Require a condition map, moisture or failure diagnosis, preparation steps, primer and finish products, lead-safe determination, protection, weather limits, coat and coverage rules, repairs, cleanup and final-light inspection.
Map peeling, blistering, chalking, staining, mildew and open joints by elevation or room. Check whether water, vapor, incompatible coatings or poor preparation caused the defect. Repainting without correcting the cause can conceal it for one season. Require photographs and a stated repair boundary so each bid addresses the same surfaces rather than an undefined amount of spot work.
Inspect roof and wall transitions, gutters, penetrations, window joints and damp interior areas before coating. Painting is not a drainage repair. If moisture is active, identify who corrects it and how the surface will be judged ready. Record any drying or moisture threshold used by the product instructions so the schedule does not force coating over a wet substrate.
EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting program can apply when paid work disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing. Ask the painter to document applicability and the certified firm when required. Containment, dust control and cleanup affect access and price, so they belong in the original scope rather than appearing after scraping begins.
Replace phrases such as prep as needed with specific washing, scraping, sanding, patching, caulking and feathering steps. State what loose material is removed, what damaged substrate is replaced and how glossy surfaces are deglossed. Preparation should end with a visible acceptance condition before primer, which creates a useful milestone for photographs and owner review.
List manufacturer, product line, sheen and intended substrate for primer and finish. Identify stain-blocking, bonding or masonry primer locations instead of assuming one product fits everything. Record approved colors and a sample area. The proposal should state whether coverage or a fixed coat count controls, because dramatic color changes can need additional application.
Exterior work needs a plan for temperature, rain, wind, dew and surface condition based on product instructions. Ask how the crew protects fresh coatings and what happens when conditions change. A calendar date cannot override the coating requirements. Interior work also needs ventilation and cure time before rooms, doors and shelving return to normal use.
List floors, furnishings, fixtures, roofs, paving, vehicles and planting that must be covered or moved. Define daily access, containment, ventilation and cleanup. Exterior wash water and coating debris need controlled collection. Clear protection duties prevent a low painting bid from transferring masking, moving and restoration work back to the homeowner.
Review repaired areas before coating hides them, then inspect completed work in ordinary daylight and room lighting from normal viewing positions. Record missed areas, runs, unsealed joints and damage on a punch list. Keep product names, colors, batch information when available, care instructions, warranty terms and before-and-after photographs with the final invoice.
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Confirm address-specific review questions when painting expands into structural or regulated repair.
Match the painter's legal business and CCB record before work.
Pre-1978 painted surfaces can trigger federal lead-safe renovation requirements when disturbed.
| Condition | Likely scope | Required evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Sound and dull | Clean, spot-prime, recoat | Adhesion and compatibility check |
| Localized peeling | Repair and feather failed areas | Cause and mapped limits |
| Broad failure | Extensive removal and full system | Substrate and moisture findings |
| Pre-1978 disturbance | Lead-safe work controls | Applicability and certified firm |
Separate access, protection, washing, removal, repairs, lead-safe controls, primer, finish coats, weather delays, cleanup and touch-up. Measure surfaces and list product assumptions. A square-foot figure without preparation and repair limits cannot predict durability.
Common causes include moisture, weak underlying layers, contamination, incompatible products and incomplete preparation; diagnose before recoating.
Paid work disturbing pre-1978 painted surfaces may fall under EPA RRP rules; document applicability before work.
Yes. Record primer, finish line, sheen, substrate and approved color.
Not necessarily; substrate, color change and product coverage matter, so define both coat assumptions and the accepted finish.
Follow the manufacturer's surface, temperature, rain and cure limits rather than a fixed calendar promise.
Assign moving, covering, access and restoration duties in the scope before bids are compared.
Match the legal name and CCB number to Oregon's public contractor record.
Keep the punch list, product and color record, care instructions, warranty and condition photographs.
Share photographs, building age, failed areas, colors and access constraints so painters can quote one documented scope.
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