What To Expect

FOR EXTERIOR HOUSE PAINTING PROJECTS:

We normally like to start our projects between 8:00 and 9:30 am. If you need something else, just let us know and we will be happy to meet your needs.

We will discuss our finish time each day to make sure we are not in your way.

Please make sure of the following:

FOR INTERIOR HOUSE PAINTING PROJECTS:

Total Access & Small Item Preparation

  • We will make every effort to ensure you can continue to have total access to all rooms in your house to the best of your ability.
  • If you have the time and ability, please move small items out of the areas we will be painting, such as small pictures and items on top of tables and dressers—that would help us a lot.
  • For example, if we are painting a master closet, placing everything from inside the closet on top of the bed would save time, since we will already be covering the bed with plastic, and we can protect the closet contents on the bed at the same time.
  • Do not worry about moving larger pieces of furniture—that is our job!

Pet Care

  • Please plan with us to take care of pets. For instance, if possible, put cats or dogs in one bedroom while we prep and paint another.
  • Once the room is dry, you can move the pet to the completed room, and we can proceed with the rest of the project.

Children & Safety

  • Small children are interested in what we are doing. Please keep in mind they can get into open paint cans, hand tools, and ladders during the project.
  • Extra supervision of little ones is highly recommended for their safety.

Multiple Rooms & Sleeping Arrangements

  • If we are painting multiple rooms—say, three bedrooms—we understand you may need to sleep in those rooms that night.
  • If they are not yet complete, we will put the rooms back together for you and re-prep them the next morning.
  • Regarding areas like the kitchen and other rooms, we will discuss during the project which areas will be covered with plastic or drop cloths to save time the next morning and accommodate your needs.

Safety Reminder

  • Especially important: Stairs can be very slippery with plastic or cloth drop cloths covering them. Use extreme caution when going up or down the stairs with your family.

Communication & Collaboration

  • Most importantly, let us communicate needs and help each other to complete the project efficiently, so you will be happy for years to come.

FOR DECK AND FENCE PROJECTS:

Some deck and fence projects will involve heavy materials like wood and other supplies. Please ensure the safety of your family during the project. Many times, we will be completing repairs and pressure washing surfaces to properly prepare them for staining.

It is perfectly fine to walk and play on the deck between the pressure wash and the stain application.

However, once the stain or sealer is applied, even if it looks dry in a few hours, we strongly request that it not be used or walked on for 24 hours. This allows the stain to set in well and properly cure.

Footprints are not warrantied.

Also, please understand that depending on the condition of the wood, how long it was exposed to the weather, and variation from tree to tree, there will be color, shade, and grain differences from one board to another, or even within the same board.

This is part of the appeal of stain.

  • Solid stains that look like paint will eliminate these subtle color differences, but texture and grain differences will still be visible.
  • Stains are designed to partially absorb into the surface, helping to preserve the wood.
  • Unlike paint, which is only on the surface, stains penetrate into and onto the wood.

While Dependable uses only top-of-the-line products for all projects, it is only stained and sealed—not bulletproof.

  • Stained wood can be scratched or stained (for example, grease from a grill).
  • We recommend that all furniture has little feet or pads to minimize scratching.
  • Place a mat under the grill to catch grease.

For fences, little maintenance is needed—just enjoy your newly stained fence.

Let’s discuss stain color and transparency:

  • Semi-transparent and semi-solid stains will take on the shade of the wood they are being applied to.
  • These stains will typically last around half the lifespan of a solid stain.
  • The color may never exactly match the sample color due to weather exposure—this mellowing over time is normal.

At project completion, once you are satisfied with our work, please feel free to make your payment by check or cash and give it directly to our lead painter.

Other payment options:

  • If requested, please notify our lead painter.
  • Payments can also be made via Venmo or Cash App.