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FAQs & Blog

Frequently Asked Questions

I understand that everyone wants to know this.

A lot of companies will give you a “ballpark” quote over the phone.

I have been in the painting business for almost 30 years and based on the number of referrals we get, I am confident that there is a better way for you to get a quality painting job than relying on a quote over the phone.

  • Require every painting contractor to visit your home or business and conduct a thorough review of your needs. There are too many variables to provide an accurate proposal if you don’t see the project.
  • Ask for a detailed proposal. Estimates written on the back of a business card are worthless because all you know is the price. It is far more important to know what specific materials are to be used and the steps that will be performed.
  • I meet every client in person; ask plenty of questions to make sure I understand your painting needs. I take all of that information and prepare a detailed proposal with a fixed price for the project.
  • Our proposal allows you to easily understand the cost of painting your home or business. It also will help you compare on an “apples to apples” basis our proposal with another proposal.

Unfortunately, many people believe that you can hire any painting contractor and get the same result. Maybe that is why many of the ones that were in business 5 years ago in Nassau or Suffolk County are no longer around.

  • I don’t use day laborers or subcontractors that are paid by the job.
  • I only use employees. This is how I ensure that you will have a knowledgeable, well trained, qualified painting crew for your painting project.
  • Every crew member is subject to a background check.
  • Every employee must comply with a strict written policy that prohibits smoking on your property or the use of alcohol or drugs on the job.

Many painting companies use day laborers or subcontractors to make more money at the expense of quality.

Using part-time employees, day laborers and/or subcontractors makes it almost impossible to maintain quality since these workers don’t get the continual training they need.

Painting contractors that use these workers may be able to offer a lower price because they may not have to pay for benefits but the homeowner or business owner is the real loser because of the lower quality that is almost inevitable.

I wouldn’t want those companies or people painting my property and neither should you…avoiding those companies is a smart move.

  • It may surprise you but I don’t offer a warranty. I simply let my clients know how long they can expect it to last and if there is ever a problem to call me. It almost never happens. New paint on the interior of your home will never fail if proper preparation is completed prior to painting. Most failures result from external forces such as: extreme temperature changes, water damage or structural movement.
  • This approach works for me and I believe it is one of the reasons I can offer over 100 references while most of my competitors will provide 3 references.
  • I understand that as a new client you might want your warranty in writing and I will be happy to provide one if you request it.

I do want to work for you again and doing a quality painting job every time is the best way I can ensure that I will be the painter you always call.

Yes.

Once we agree on the specifications of your painting project, your price is guaranteed for the work I specify.

This is why I visit your home or business and conduct a thorough review of your needs. I don’t like surprises and I am sure you don’t either and this is the best way I have found to avoid those issues.

If you have ever called a painting contractor and had to wait days for a call back, I assure you that won’t happen.

  • My mobile phone is on 12 hours a day on regular business days.
  • I respect the client I am working for. If I am in a meeting or working with a client, I might not be able to pick up the phone but my personal goal is to return all calls within 2 hours.
  • I also will give you a project update every day on multi-day projects.

This is a great question.

Here are 2 questions you should ask before you hire a painting contractor:

  1. Will every crew member who will be working on my painting project be covered by your workers compensation policy?
  2. If they answer no – Who will be liable if one of the workers is injured on my property?

Unfortunately, many Nassau and Suffolk county painting contractors advertise that they are “fully insured”. This doesn’t really mean anything.

  • Worker’s compensation insurance does NOT COVER subcontractors or day laborers. This means that if a subcontractor or day laborer gets hurt on your property you can be held liable for their injuries.
  • Avoiding those companies is a smart move.

We only use employees on our painting projects and they are all covered by our workers compensation insurance. We also have $1 Million of Liability Insurance as an added protection for our clients.

Upon request we will provide you with the contact information for our insurance agent so you can verify our coverage.

If a painting contractor offers 3 references they are likely to be good.

The real question is how many should they offer?

  • Even small painting contractors do 20 jobs each year so they should be able to find some clients that were happy…at least 3.
  • A better strategy is to ask for at least 10 recent references and call each one of them. You can use the questions on our references page if you aren’t sure what to ask.
  • If a painter can’t provide at least 10 recent references or balks at the request, they may not provide quality painting projects on a consistent basis.

I do provide a list of over 100 references and I encourage you to call as many as you like.

Over 80% of our painting projects come from referrals and from past clients that ask us to do additional projects for them. I believe this is a strong indicator of the service we deliver.

Due to the economy a lot of companies have sprung up in the painting business in Nassau and Suffolk counties and a lot of commercial companies have suddenly become “expert” house painters.

Checking references will help you avoid hiring a company that is learning how to paint at your expense.

  • As a 15 year member of PDCA I am committed to learning the latest innovations in the paint industry. We are always kept up to date about new products, tools and techniques by experts at our monthly meetings and training provided by suppliers.
  • The painting industry is constantly evolving and staying informed is a key component to delivering a quality paint job.
  • I am a Past President of the Suffolk Chapter of the PDCA. I believe that taking on a leadership role demonstrates my commitment to: using quality operational methods, providing dependable customer services and being responsible in business matters.
  • Members must follow and abide by a Code of Ethics and Business Professionalism.
  • I belong to the PDCA because the organization provides me with the latest information and training and that helps me to maintain my high standards and I believe the testimonials of my clients reinforce this point.

The PDCA website is www.PDCA.org if you would like to contact them.

I also taught a core curriculum class for BOCES (Bureau of Cooperative Education Services) for two years. BOCES provides education for the painting trade and other contracting and service industries.

Yes – Suffolk County #25684-HI – Nassau County #HO425030000.

It is a smart idea to avoid contractors that are not licensed.

  • Plain and simple – contractors that aren’t licensed are cheating the government and other legitimate contractors, and if they will do that, they will just as likely cheat you.

I believe so. Our rating is A+ and we have no history of complaints.

  • Membership in the Better Business Bureau (BBB) demonstrates that a company is committed to continually delivering a high level of service to their customers and that they have made a commitment to ethical business practices.

No. I have operated my company continuously since 1985.

  • This is a good question to ask because there is a very high failure rate in the painting business and many of the painters that were in business 5 years ago in Nassau or Suffolk County are no longer around.
  • Ask everyone to provide the names of each company, partnership, Limited Liability Company or other business that they have owned or been an owner in and then check them out on Google at a minimum. It is simply a smart way to hire.

It could if your home was built before 1978. The law is designed to prevent lead poisoning. It is an important step to protect homeowners and their families from the harmful effects of lead paint.

We are certified to complete your work if you fall under the regulations.

Please call me at (631) 427-2595 to set up my visit to your home or business.

If I happen to miss the call – my personal goal is to call you back within 8 hours and by the next day.

After I meet with you I will either provide our proposal immediately or within 24 hours.

Ok I admit it – once in a while it might take 2 or 3 days especially if special paints or extensive carpentry repairs are required – I am not perfect, but I am always working to get better!

Not in most cases. I am proud to say that my clients feel comfortable providing us with their key and/or security code. I do like to speak with you each day to give you an update.

Each job is unique. I will let you know how many days it should take and unless we are delayed by things like weather we should finish on time.

Yes – we accept all the major credit cards including American Express.

Blog

Caulking the dos and don’ts

The principle behind caulking is to have the surface look natural and for the caulking to become invisible once it is painted. There are many types of caulking and each product has a specific application. It is important that you choose the proper caulking for your job. The caulking that I will be writing about …

Caulking the dos and don’ts Read More »

Water damage to your home

What you should do when you see water dripping from your ceiling? Figure out what is directly above the leak. If it is a bathroom, than shut off water supply immediately. If it is your roof, than a roof repair should be performed prior to any interior repair. Sometimes you will have a water supply …

Water damage to your home Read More »

Tips on How to use a Brush

Painting walls: First step is to get a small ½, 1 or 2 gallon container with a handle to hold your paint.  Fill the container enough to be able to dip your brush to at least to the halfway point. Your room should be ready to paint, all floors and furniture are protected and all …

Tips on How to use a Brush Read More »

New Drywall

Inspecting the spackle: So you just refinished a room in your home. You have brand new drywall and the professional spacklers just put the polish coat on. If the job was done properly the end process would have entailed using a wet sponge and thin spackle to fill or remove any defects. If your spacklers …

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Testimonials

Anita K

Hi Tony, I wanted to let you know how much I loved your creative painting. It transformed my dull interior into a beautiful welcoming home. Also, your creative outdoor work enriched the appearance of my terrace and Japanese garden. Great Work – Thanks

Anita K.

Bob S

If you are looking for a painter who you will want to come back, call Color Your World, you will not be disappointed.

Bob S.

Alyse S

Tony and the other professionals at Color Your World are simply the best! They are skilled artists who take pride in their work and strive to make the customer happy. From wallpapering and faux finishing to traditional painting, we have been highly satisfied will all their work and we have referred them to friends time and time again.

Alyse S.

Barbara M

I have known Anthony for over 20 years. Over that time I have lived in three homes and he has been my “go to” guy in all of them. Painting, wallpaper, carpentry and power washing – everything he touches looks better after he’s done. He is honest and professional and I feel totally comfortable giving him my highest recommendation!

Barbara M.

Vicky T

I have been using Tony at Color Your World for many years. His work is excellent and he is very creative and has ideas to make your home beautiful that you might not have thought of. He is very talented in what he does and I would highly recommend him. Not only is he good, but he is neat, which is very important!

Vicki T.

Anette B

Tony is the best painter you could find on Long Island. He is very talented and creative– does great faux finishes! A perfectionist at everything he does. Always there when you need him, I have always been very happy with his work!!

Anette B.