Exterior house painting in oakland

Tips For Hiring An Exterior House Painting Expert

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You may be looking at your home and thinking about just how dull your once vibrant exterior has become. Don’t beat yourself up over it, it is actually a very common occurrence amongst homeowners. Years and even decades pass with very little, if any thought given to a home’s exterior paint.

You might also be staring at your home’s exterior, wondering what can be done to restore it. Of course there’s the do-it-yourself approach though this tends to be both expensive and produce results that range from lackluster to mediocre. Going it alone or even with help from friends and family is also incredibly time consuming and more so when you lack experience. The best option in this scenario is to hire a professional house painter. Before you balk at the cost of doing so consider all the time and money you’ll spend trying to do the job yourself. Once you have decided to hire one you’ll have a process in front of you and you’ll want to take great care in selecting the right painter.

Do Your Homework First
Long before you actually hire a painter to address the exterior needs of your home you will want to spend some time in front a computer researching candidates. It behooves you to look at reviews both on a painters website and those found on independent sites. This will begin to give you an idea of what a painters reputation is and what type of work they produce. In addition to reputation, you should consider speaking with others online who have used a specific painters service.

Interviewing Candidate Painters
Once you have a good idea of how a particular painter operates you can begin contacting prospective firms. Initiating contact via email works while speaking with them over the telephone is even better. Of course nothing beats meeting such persons/firms in person for some face time. No matter the manner of meeting, have your queries and project details ready. The more information you can give a painter the more they will be able to give back. Be sure to discuss budget and be open about ideas and desires you have. Lastly, at some point during your discussions you should ask for licensing and bonding information. Firms that operate without the aforementioned should be immediately disqualified.

Project Details
While scouting painters it is incredibly important to discuss the scope of your project as well as the reason for wanting to paint the exterior of your home. Moreover, find out who is responsible for clean up once the project is finished as not all painters address that themselves. Offer up your own ideas with regards to colors, patters, and placement. The greater the exchange of information, the better your home will look in the end and the more satisfied you will be.

Discussing Budget
While having your home painted can be an exciting venture, don’t let your imagination be bigger than your budget. By being open about what you have to spend a professional painter can formulate a plan that works. Alternatives to more expensive options are always present but usually aren’t the first ones explored by pros. Save time and hassle by being open and honest about what you can dedicate to your project.

Ask For References
Again…more homework. When speaking with a prospective painter do not hesitate to ask for references. Any professional worth their salt will not only be able to provide you with several but will be happy to do so as well. Any painter that beats around the bush or produces questionable references should be crossed of your list. When you do contact these references have a list of questions ready for them. Ask about cost, customer service, quality of work, speed of work, and ask about any problems they might have encountered etc.

Look For A Guarantee
Not all painters offer guarantees but those that do have confidence in the work they produce. Such painters should sit atop your short list of candidate hires. When speaking with firms or individuals dig deep for the details of their guarantees. Keep an eye out for those that include annual inspections and a “no cost” repair policy. These protect your investment and ensure that you get a painter that places an emphasis on quality and satisfaction.

For A Free Quote On Exterior House Painting in Oakland and Surrounding Areas Call 510-567-9559

kitchen painting in Oakland

The Best Colors For Your Kitchen

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Next to your living room, your home’s kitchen gets the most use. It’s also an area visitors tend to visit frequently and immediately upon entering your home. Being such an important part of your home, your kitchen should not only be spacious and well organized but should look great too. Part of making and keeping a kitchen looking good is its paint. Over time, a kitchen’s paint can dull and become stained by smoke. It can also hold onto the hundreds of different smells that have originated from your stove, oven, fridge, and even food and drink left out on the counter.

In order to remedy all of the aforementioned new paint is needed. Some homeowners elect to have their kitchens painted as part of a larger redesign project while others use only paint in order to revitalize their kitchens. No matter why a homeowner chooses to repaint their kitchen, they face a number of different options and hard choices. Everything from choosing the right shade, pattern, and brand will determine just how happy a homeowner is at the conclusion of their project.

Help From Professionals
Making choices that carry the biggest benefits to a kitchen is no easy task and the sheer number of wildly different options can be confusing and maddening. When a homeowner hires a professional painting firm however a talented staff of artisans will take what a homeowner has envisioned and bring it to life. When first consulting with a professional, a homeowner will be presented with color charts, color placement counseling, and will work with test samples so that they can see their choices come to life. Moreover, professional painters will listen to and seriously consider the needs and demands of a homeowner when devising a plan of action.

Colors Galore
There is virtually no color of paint that can not be created. While this may initially sound wonderful, having too many choices often breeds indecision and regret. While a homeowner can most certainly use any color they like when repainting their kitchen, many colors simply don’t work or fit in a kitchen environment. Conversely, there are a number of colors that work exceedingly well in kitchens; making them not only stand out but fit in as part of a home.

Harbor Gray Ac-25 – A great deal of homeowners love using white or some type of off-white in their kitchen. While this is certainly understandable, white shows everything as it becomes dirty and stained. To avoid the discoloring of white paint in a kitchen, this paint is often presented by professional painters to homeowners whom want to go as white as possible. This gray is considered a neutral that pairs tremendously with brass, marble, and many other colors.

Galápagos Green 475 – This green is a deliciously deep and rich shade of green. Kitchens with a large number of pantries and cupboards look fantastic with this green surrounding them. The savory look of this green can create a dramatic look in a kitchen and will look fantastic for long periods of time.

Moore Ice Blue 2052-70 – Ice blue paint makes a kitchen look and feel as crisp as a pre-sunrise September morning. The pale blue of this shade exudes warmth and freshness while it creates a soothing kitchen atmosphere. Those homeowners whom love a white kitchen but want a bit of added color will find that Moore Ice Blue satiates quite nicely.

Farrow & Ball Pegnoir No. 286 – Homeowners looking to add a bit of fun to their kitchen will adore this color. Its delicate lavender and slight gray mix makes kitchens look modern and warm. This color can be used on ceilings and matches well with cupboards and pantries no matter their finish.

Farrow & Ball All White No. 2005 – This shade of white is perfect for homeowners whom want to go all white but don’t want a glaring white that comes off as too bright. Professional painters can use this shade of slightly muted white to create both modern and retro kitchen vibes. This white is a wonderful companion to marble counter tops too.

Benjamin Moore Raccoon Fur 2126-20 – Kitchens with elevated ceilings and plentiful wood will benefit greatly from this color. This color doesn’t scratch or bite as its name might suggest but it will bring kitchens to life with its rustic, homey outdoorsy, and slightly chalky look.

Farrow & Ball Mizzle No. 266 – This dusty grey green color is extremely versatile and can be used to create a multitude of different atmospheres within a kitchen. Being a “flexible” color means it sits well with different types of wood finishes and counter tops. Homeowners that desire a timeless look can use this color all throughout their kitchen to satisfy that need.

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter Hc-172 – Homeowners that have kitchens full of brass and marble will find this shade of pewter to be exactly what their kitchen needs to be reinvigorated. Being a popular alternative to plain white paint, this pewter is a muted albeit bright color that manages to make kitchens feel fresh.

Benjamin Moore Lucerne Af-530 – When white paint or some variant of it isn’t enough for a homeowner, they’ll want something with much more color. Blue is always a comforting color and one that can really bring a kitchen to life. It is also a stark and joyfully jarring change to kitchens that where previously white. This blue pairs exceptionally well with black and brass accents as well.

Farrow & Ball Breakfast Room Green No. 81 – In order to liven up and make a kitchen vivacious, homeowners will want to add some real color to the walls of their galley. This particular shade of green is colorful enough to add vibrancy to any kitchen without being so overwhelming that it detracts from counter tops, cupboards, and the like. Additionally, this green works in tandem with various browns to create something truly special.

Endless Colors And Choices
The aforementioned are but a few of the choices homeowners have when they set out to redecorate, repaint, and/or re-imagine their kitchens. Depending on the kitchen, a homeowner’s personal likes/dislikes, the needs of their home, their budgets, and a whole host of other variables, professional painters might recommend reds, browns, purples, pinks, and other colors that aren’t traditionally associated with kitchens. Professionals can also create custom colors for homeowners allowing them to concoct a customer’s favorite color or something that they can only see in their mind but can’t verbally describe. The choices are virtually endless when it comes to repainting a kitchen so it behooves homeowners to take their time and work closely with the professionals they have hired in order to create the perfect color for their kitchen.

Arana Craftsman Philosophy

Loving care of your home is your first and most economical line of defense for your family’s biggest investment.

Our mission is to serve homeowners by preserving the structure that provides warmth and sustenance for their families.

We believe that Bay Area families deserve the finest work at a fair price. We work with you to protect and extend the life of your home. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

The difference is clear when choosing Arana as your professional house painting experts in Oakland.

Oakland bathroom painting experts

What You Need To Know When Hiring An Interior Painter

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There are a great many things to consider once you’ve decided to repaint the interior of your home. All of these considerations and ultimately, you choices, will factor into the “final product” so to speak. Because painting a home is considered an investment and meant to breathe new life into your home, you’ll want to make the most informed and sound choices possible.

The first and perhaps most important consideration you will face when moving forward with an interior paint job is the hiring of professional painter. There are normally many professionals operating in a given location and the internet makes it easier than ever to find and contact these firms. It has often been stated that too few choices isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially when you’re facing too many. While the validity and weight of that statement may be up for debate, there is no arguing that having so many professional painters vying for your business can make it difficult to determine which ones are best. The following tips come directly from professionals in the painting industry and will help you navigate the seemingly endless sea of experts. They will also help the process move along smoothly and complete in a timely fashion.

Checking For Lead – Homes built before 1978 often contain lead paint, or at least traces of it. While a home that old will likely have been repainted at least a few times, it’s a good bet that some of its original lead based remains. In such scenarios, you will need to hire a professional interior painter that knows how to deal with lead paint. Lead paints are extremely hazardous so this step of the process (if applicable) should never be overlooked.

Preparing For New Paint – The repainting of your home’s interior is likely part of a greater renovation project. As such you will want all repairs, upgrades, and cleaning projects completed before the professional you’ve hired arrives. Ensuring the completion of other projects and that the areas to be repainted are clean allows professional painters to do their best work. Be extra vigilant in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens as grease and soap deposits are problematic for new paint.

Reviews And Interviews – In order to ascertain which professional painters are reputable and to weed out those that are less than such, it behooves you to spend some time doing a bit of homework in the early going. Using the internet, read reviews, be thorough when visiting a painters website, and whenever possible…try speaking with others who have worked with a painter or painting firm that strikes your fancy. Word of mouth is often the best type of review as it comes from actual real world experience and isn’t born of an online damage control campaign.

When you do finally contact a professional painter, have a list of questions and concerns at your side. Begin by asking for a company’s licensing and insurance information. Include questions pertaining to the types/brands of paints they use, how big a team they utilize, how long the job might take, and even if they are adept at working with other interior design contractors. The more questions and concerns addressed at this time, the better your experience and results will be.

Additional Costs – There are many instances where a professional painter will be forced to include surcharges in their final bill. If you have heavy furniture that you are unable to move for example, the painters you hire may do it for you albeit at an additional cost. When speaking with a painter be sure to ask about additional fees and where they may be applicable so that there are no surprises down the line. Even better, look for painters that include these charges in their quote.

Picking Colors – Choosing a color that satisfies you and does right by your home isn’t always an easy task. More often than not the sheer amount of colors available lead to confusion and frustration when you go it alone. This is why nearly all professional painters will work closely with you in the early stages of a project. Both you and the painter you’ve hired will sit down and not only bounce around ideas but will look at color charts, discuss placement options, and then apply test samples of your choices so that you can see what they look like in real life. Make certain that the painter you are thinking of working with will repeat this process until you are satisfied and at no additional cost.

Doing It Right The First Time
As is the case with everything related to home improvement projects, doing it right the first time is always the most sound way to move towards a conclusion. Hiring a less than reputable painter simply to save a few nickels and dimes rarely ends well and can double and triple costs when you are forced to hire a second team to fix the problems such individuals create. When hiring a professional painter to refresh the interior of your home don’t be hasty, don’t become parsimonious, and don’t settle for anything but the best.

Exterior house painting in oakland

Don’t Go Against These 10 Rules When Repainting Your House

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Don’t you just love it when after a long day of work, just as you pull up the corner, you see your house gleaming in the sun for all to see? It’s the bright spot of the neighborhood and actually one reason why the area you live in is highly sought after. Over the years though, you’ve been busy at work and raising a family. The elements have been right there with you getting busy as well.

As an effect of the elements doing what they do best, your house has lost some its sheen and developed issues here and there, whether with the roofing, siding or water leakages. It’s time to get your house back to its former glory, but where to start?

With an exquisite paint job, of course. A properly done paint job is sure to rejuvenate the house, as well save you some serious amounts of cash. Hiring a professional painter will cost anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000. If you want an exquisite job, it is generally recommended to get an expert.

However, you can save on that cash and do the painting yourself. However, this will require serious effort from you and your collaborators, and the job can take anywhere from one to two weeks. And this could actually work to your advantage; a paint job usually lasts several years before a new coat is required.

With that in mind, what rules should you follow when repainting your house?

  1. Be real.

    It may be tempting to pick up the tools and do the job yourself and save yourself some serious dough. Have you considered this though, do you have the skills, the time and the patience to deliver the quality job you are looking for?

    Painting a house by yourself, or even in the company of friends or family, is a very tedious job that requires copious amounts of time. If you neither have the skills nor the time, consider hiring a professional.
  2. Quality matters… a lot!

    You literally get what you pay for. That paint you were thinking about was a lot for very little money but ask yourself this, how long will it last until you need to repaint the house? A quality product will push you several years before you even think about painting again.

    These quality paints and primers will usually cost anywhere from $35 to $70, but the quality and years of service you get will be unparalleled in comparison to some of the cheaper paints.
  3. Be sure to check the type of paints you want to use.

    Although it was the norm several decades ago due to their durability, lead paints have been found to be a health hazard to both children and adults. As the paint gets older, the flakes and dust from the paints could cause various degrees of lead poisoning.

    If the house you currently reside in has paint residue from before 1978, it is recommended that you contact lead paint removal experts before embarking on a fresh painting session.
  4. Temperate weather is the best.

    Well, the elements have a say in how well your paint will age, how long it will last before wear and tear make you get a new coat. They also have a say in what time of year you should paint if you want to get good results. Yes, really. Here’s how…

    The paint you are using is essentially a combination of chemical elements. Every element is affected in one way or another by temperature. When the temperatures are too high, or you’re painting in direct sunlight, the paint will dry too quickly. Painting when it’s too cold will cause the paint to not adhere to surfaces properly.

    The best times to repaint the house are when the temperatures are between 50 to 90 degrees. And this should also be done when there’s no precipitation forecasted. Painting over a damp or dewy surface will cause the coat to develop bubbles.
  5. Lay the groundwork.

    Before going out to paint, ensure the surface you want to paint has been prepared for the new coat. This will mean removing the old coat of paint. You can start by using a scraper to remove old, flaky paint. The next step will be to wash the surface with soapy water and scrub with a brush. Wherever possible, use a pressure washer to blast the surfaces clean.

    If you’re facing tougher paint, you can use power sander to get a smooth surface. The idea is not to remove all the paint, just to get a smooth surface which the new coat can adhere to.
  6. Protect what’s not to be painted.

    Before getting down to business, if you have furniture, plants or other fixtures around the surface you want to paint, you will either need to move them or cover them. As you go around the surface you are painting, there will always be sprays and splatters that land on surfaces you never intended to paint.
  7. Tools make work easier.

    The right tools anyway. Consider the surface you are painting on and the effort and quality you want. That’s the first step to determining which tools you will use. You may need to use a roller, or a high-quality brush, or an airless sprayer.
  8. No shortcuts please.

    If you want your house to look as amazing as it once was, or as you imagine it in your head, there is no room for shortcuts. This means applying all the necessary coats of paint to get the finish that you want. If you’re painting over a bare metal or wooden surface, you will need to use a high-quality primer to prepare the surface for what’s to come.
  9. Do your homework.

    Even though it may look like a mundane activity, painting is nothing like that. It actually requires various specialized techniques that a proper painting novice will have no idea they exist. Before embarking on the task, do your homework on painting techniques and how to mix paints to get the effect you want.
  10. Do some more homework.

    That’s if you do decide to hire a professional. The gig economy has grown in leaps and bounds with the proliferation of the internet. Any Tom, Dick and Harry who fancies themselves a good painter will make themselves available, and you may just land on the most incompetent of them.

    When choosing an Oakland painting company, ask for detailed bids and most importantly, the contacts of at least two satisfied customers. Call them up and if possible, arrange a visit to the premises that were painted and inspect the work for yourself.

For A Free Oakland House Painting Estimate Call 510-567-9559

Interior Painting Oakland

Interior Paint Finishes For Your Home

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It’s not enough picking the right painting firm, colors, patterns, nor designs for your upcoming interior redesign project. In addition to all of the aforementioned, you’ll need to pick the right finish for your interior paint if you hope to be happy with the results of your project. Different finishes add different things to a home and can dramatically alter or affect the atmospheres in homes.

In all, there are four major types of interior paint finishes. When consulting with the painters you’ve hired the subject of finish will inevitably arise. When it does, the more you know…the more you can accomplish and ensure that your home will look and feel great at project’s end.

Flat Paint
Flat paint is commonly used by contractors because of its matte finish. Flat paint does not reflect light which is perfect for those rooms that require darker colors or a muted appearance. While flat paints can indeed be beautiful, they do not wash too well. This means that you should expect your new paint to gradually, albeit slowly, lose its vibrancy.

Eggshell Paint
Like flat paints, eggshell paints feature matte finishes. Where they differ however is in their ability to shine. Eggshell paints are more vivacious and deep than are their flat cousins. Regardless of the color chosen, eggshell paints are much more pronounced than flat paints. These paints can be put to tremendous use in any area of a home as well.

Satin Paint
In layman’s terms, satin paint is merely “medium gloss”. Satins are both smooth and attractive in any color which is why they are often selected for use in bathrooms and kitchens. Perhaps best of all, satin paints are extremely washable and therefore they can be cleaned repeatedly without fear of dulling or fading.

Glossy Paints
Being the most reflective of paints, both semi and high gloss types are excellent choices for traffic heavy rooms. Additionally glosses are resistant to humidity, heat, and dirt. This means that when they do eventually require cleaning, you can do so without damaging their integrity. If you have furniture that is in need of fresh paint, glossy paints can restore them and give them a new-like sheen. Despite their many advantages however, glosses will not hide imperfections on a wall.

When In Doubt
If you are having difficulty selecting a color, brand, or finish for your new interior paint, a professional is only a phone call away. Interior paint isn’t the type of project a homeowner should attempt to tackle on their own. The numerous advantages that come with the initial consultation with a professional will make this perfectly clear. Professionals will not only add new paint to the interior of you home but they’ll utilize their artistic experience and knowledge to help you create something truly unique that improves and revitalizes your home.a