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7 Ways To Improve Your Home Office

By | Uncategorized

 

7 Ways To Improve Your Home Office

 

In 2020 many people have transitioned from working at the office to working from home. If you were one of them, check out some ideas to make your home office more productive and comfortable.

 

1-  Lightning :

Natural light makes space feel bigger—which is always great for any space, especially small ones.

The character and quality of lighting in your workspace can help increase your productivity. Poor lighting can reduce your energy, dampen morale, produce eyestrain and headaches, and ultimately impair your ability to work effectively.

Look for ways to diffuse the ambient light that will illuminate your office space. Lampshades soften and scatter otherwise harsh light, while an upward-shining floor lamp bounces the light off of walls and ceilings. The goal is to illuminate the entire space without creating undue glare and contrast while avoiding casting shadows.

Bright office

 

 

2- Office Chair:

You spend hours seating in your office chair; a beautiful, ergonomically correct, comfortable seat is worth every dime.

A  good chair provides proper lumbar and pelvic support which results in your back muscles being less stressed. Unfortunately, many chairs do not offer adequate support, and that combined with long durations of sitting down at work, explains why people who sit all day have about as much lower back pain as people who spend most of their time in a standing position.

With lumbar and pelvic support comes better posture, better breathing, and less fatigue, so do yourself a favor and give your work chair a good hard look and see how it measures up.

 

 

Brown Office Chair

 

3- View:

Position the desk where you can stare at something more interesting than a blank wall (even if you do love the color) when you glance up from the computer. A window’s natural light is ideal, but if you’re in a windowless space, hang a pretty picture above the desk, or position your chair to face the door.
Longer distance views, away from computer screens or written documents, allow the eyes to adjust and re-focus, which reduces fatigue, headaches, and the effects of eye strain in the long term. Views also have a positive impact on wellbeing, in part by providing a psychological connection with other groups of people while in a safe space.

Computer by window

 

 

 

4- Space:

Having enough space is key to being productive. Working in a clustered space causes you to be more stressed and does not allow you to think clearly.

One of the best ideas to create more space in a home office is to use the full height of your wall. Install shelving that goes high up, stack your drawers, and make use of the space below the desk. By building vertically instead of horizontally, you’re still using the same amount of floor space in your home while optimizing storage space, keeping everything you need nearby. 

home office with brown desk and white cabinets

 

 

5- Wall color:

You need a color that gets your work motor humming. For some people, that’s a bright, cheery color like orange or lime green. Others need a calming shade like botanical green or sea foam blue to perform.

Here are some of the best office colors:

  • Blue: The color blue stimulates the mind, leading to more productivity. The hues of the blue color palette are ideal for staying focused in repetitive industries. Accounting offices often use blue paint colors to increase productivity and keep their employees focused.
  • Yellow: Yellow stimulates emotion, which makes it an ideal color for creative industries. It also evokes feelings of happiness and can brighten spirits.
  • Green: We may think of green as the color of money, and in a way it is. Green is all about balance, calmness, and reassurance. So if you work in the financial industry, green works well at your office color.
  • Gray: Gray falls between black and white which gives off a neutral mood. There are different hues and shades of gray which evoke different psyches.
  • Off-White: White may have a clinical appearance, but a soft off-white, like Pointing by Farrow & Ball in an eggshell finish will soften the look of true white. It’s easy to decorate and design around, given its warmth yet clean appearance.

 

blue wall home office

 

 

6-Plants:

According to a study conducted at Washington State University, the presence of plants in an office environment reduced workers’ blood pressure and increases task completion speeds by 12%. Workers also reported that they felt more attentive when plants were present.

Plants help with loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Caring for, or just being in the company of another living thing gives us purpose and it can be very rewarding—especially when you see your plants growing, thriving, and blooming.

Natural greenery triggers comfort in your brain. Much like going for a walk outside clears your mind, bringing houseplants into your work area creates a space that is soothing to be in and more comfortable overall.

 

white wall with green plants

 

7- Add a couch:

Having a comfortable couch in your home office makes your office feel cozier and more relaxing.

Couches are also great for work breaks- taking a quick nap or reading a book for a few minutes can be great a way to give you more energy for when you go back to work.

home office with bookshelves and couch

 

 

 

 

Ready to transform your home office? At TruLine Painting, we have transformed many home offices all over San Diego and we are here to help!

Email us at info@trulinepaintinginc.com or call us at 619.663.5878 for a free estimate!

 

8 Reasons Why You Should Hire A Company To Install Your Holiday Lights

By | Holiday Lights, Uncategorized

San Diego lights installation

Installing Holidays Lights Might Be Harder Than You Thought!

 

Here are 8 reasons why you should hire a company to install your holiday’s lights:

 

1- Safety:

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Christmas lights cause 40% of Christmas tree fires, and overall decorations caused more than 15,000 injuries resulting in an emergency room visit with falls being the highest at 34%, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

dangerous holiday lights

2- Time:

There are many reasons someone might choose to hire a company to install their holiday lights, but usually, the biggest reason is the time.

Save yourself time and have more time to enjoy the holidays this year. When you hire us to install your lights, you get more time to spend actually enjoying the Holidays, and less time worrying about tangled lights and falling out of ladders.

clock

 

3- Quality:

We use the highest quality lights for all of our holiday light displays.

This means that they are more durable and brighter Christmas lights, as well as, fuller and longer-lasting garland and wreaths. The quality of lighting and holiday decorations we offer are hands-down better than what you will find at any retail store.

bad and good quality lights

 

4- Customization:

Everyone has a different idea for their holiday lights. That is why you can provide early estimate/installation, so we have time to make sure your lights are exactly the way you wanted them to be.

When installing lights, it’s important to take into consideration your landscaping, architecture, existing electrical infrastructure, and more. That is why our crews are experts in finding the best design for your house.

San Diego holiday lights

5- Installation:

Our friendly Christmas light installation crews are professionally trained to install the lights with the utmost care.

They are trained to install your lights quickly, efficiently, and without any hassles. Your display is installed with property friendly clips and fasteners, all cords are safely and neatly hidden.

TruLine Painting christmas lights installation

 

6- Take- Down:

When the holidays are over and the in-laws have gone home, the last thing you want to do is deal with taking down your holiday lights.

When the end of the holidays comes, our crew will be back to your house to take down your lights with the same attention to detail and care as your installation. Keep your ladders, mittens, and gloves- we’ve got your take-down covered.

TruLine Painting Christmas lights removal

 

7- Storage:

After take-down, we safely package all your lights in an easy-to-find and organized way. Before each year’s installation, we test ALL lights before installation to confirm everything is working up to its optimum performance.

christmas lights storage

 

8- Weather:

San Diego has amazing weather most of the year, but when winter comes, it can get pretty cold too.

Going outdoors to install lights anytime after October can be tricky. Not to mention the longer you wait, the colder it’s going to get. Stay warm and cozy inside and let us do the hard work while you stay inside and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate!

couple watching television and drinking hot chocolate

 

 

 

It’s just not holidays without holiday lights. They make everything more festive and fun. Don’t miss out because you’re too busy, bad weather, or for safety reasons.

 

 

Ready to install your holiday lights? At TruLine painting, we are specialized in holiday lights installation all over San Diego.

Email us with photos of your home for a free estimate!

painting color trends truline painting

42 of the Best Home Painting Trends of 2020

By | Paint Colors, Uncategorized

Home Painting Trends 2020

2020 is here, and it is full of exciting home painting trends! You may be wondering,  “what’s in style for paint colors?”, well lucky for you there are 42 home painting color trends that we are most excited for at TruLine Painting.

Look no further than the 2020 Sherwin-Williams Colormix Forecast.

This new forecast highlights 42 colors and spans six awe-inspiring palettes and perfectly describes the top interior colors for 2020. Drawing inspirations from the cosmos, the wild-west, nature, bohemian culture, and everything in between, these six palettes have a lot to offer. Sherwin Williams has always been a leader in home painting trends

Fair warning after reading this post, you may get the insatiable urge to paint your entire house. So, if that’s alright with you, why don’t we take a deeper look into paint colors that are trending in 2020.

Aficionado

painting color trends aficionado Influences: Reading nooks, British accents, tweedy menswear, ‘60s nostalgia

Talk about a nostalgia trip! This palette is ideal for an office setting or a relaxing space where you can enjoy your favorite book. “With copper and gold anchored by merlot and deep, dark gray, these tailored tones make everything impeccable, tasteful, and elegant,” says Sherwin-Williams of the Aficionado palette.

sherwin williams aficionado palette

Enthusiast

sherwin williams enthusiast Influences: maximalism, cozy chaos, over-the-top-opulence, more is more

Talk about energetic! With so many bold, vivid pops of color, the Enthusiast palette is perfect for the passionate and eclectic person who has a calling to be unique. Sherwin Williams described this palette as made for someone who “embraces the details and creates scene-stealing worlds that burst with beauty.” If you ask me, this palette is excellent for the creative-type or world traveler who needs continuous inspiration.

sherwin williams enthusiast

Naturalist

Sherwin Williams NaturalistInfluences: forest mushrooms, botanical prints, butterfly collections, terrariums.

The naturalist palette is a breath of fresh air in a busy world. With tones ranging from mushroom to leafy green to bright floral pink, the naturalist palette will have you feeling like you’ve taken a trip to your personal Zen garden. “With roots in the forest, this palette’s colorful tendrils grew in hothouses and conservatives until they become these lush, sophisticated tones.” Naturalist is the perfect palette to accentuate natural light while making any room feel instantly brighter.

Raconteur

Sherwin Williams RaconteurInfluences: desert oases, global style, luxury safaris, spice markets

Raconteur is an atlas of colors that can place you in some of the worlds most exotic places. Each color tells its own story as you feel the worldly energy embody your space. Sherwin Williams says this palette considers everything from the ancient ages and translates it into a rich modern palette. Just one look at this palette will have you feeling like you’ve been all around the world.

Sherwin Williams Raconteur Palette

Wanderer

Sherwin Williams WandererInfluences: carefree bohemian, modern cowgirl, unbridled adventure, southwestern twist

Taking inspiration from the endless blue horizon and subtle earthy colors of the high plains and desert, the wanderer is your ticket to the wild-west. “Sun-washed and warm, this palette can be seen in the baked clay canyons, worn leather, and woven wool blankets,” says Sherwin Williams. This palette plays very well on subtle earth colors with vivid pops of deep blue.

Sherwin Williams Wanderer Palette

Shapeshifter

Sherwin Williams shapeshifter

Influences: rings of Saturn, artificial intelligence, spiritualism, healing energy

“Visionary and creative, this palette reaches into the cosmos and returns with a whole universe of inspiration. Atmospheric wisps of colors, grounded by deep, dark blues, capture the unique space between technology and spirituality” says Sherwin Williams. Shapeshifter is a beautiful mixture of Zen and modern and is indeed unlike anything we’ve seen before. With deep, vivid tones, you can’t help but feel sucked into this palettes simplistic beauty.

2020 Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year

Cavern Clay – SW 7701 (290-C6)

Whats the most popular paint color of 2020? According to Sherwin Williams, it is Cavern Clay. “Ancient, yet fully alive. Bohemian, yet totally refined. Forged by the sun. Fired by the desert”, says Sherwin Williams. Cavern Clay is a captivating color that will breath new life into any living space. It is perfect for bringing out natural furnishing including open floors, wood furniture, and southwestern interior design. It can also work well when integrating greenery into your living space.

These 4 colors will compliment Cavern Clay beautifully.

Color Snap Visualizer

Sherwin-Williams Color Snap VisualizerUnsure of what color might look best in your home? We recommend using the Sherwin-Williams Color Snap Visualizer. It will let you see any paint color on the wall with just a simple click. Click here to check it out!

There is even an app for Android and iOS for when you’re on the go. The app allows you to use features like color card scanning or the color matching tool. This tool will enable you to pinpoint colors in your photos to match with Sherwin-Williams products.

Feeling Inspired?

painting color trends truline painting

We hope you found these palettes as inspiring as we did. If you’re looking for an experienced painting contractor in the San Diego County area to help transform your home, we hope you’ll consider TruLine Painting. Our 5-star customer experience guarantee backs our award-winning residential and commercial painting services. Whether it’s just a single bedroom or an entire home, we’d be thrilled to be a part of your next painting project.

To schedule your free estimate today, please fill out our online form here or give us a call at 619-663-5878.

 

Want further information on Color Trends? Our friends at TheMostChic curated the latest statistics on what paint colors are trending in 2020. Click here to read more!

Information and inspiration for this article was provided by Sherwin-Williams

multi-family painting truline painting

Multi-Family Painting Trends of 2019

By | Blake Truline

Make Your Multi-Family Building the Talk of the Neighborhood!

Repainting a multi-family property is more than a maintenance decision. It is a once a century marketing opportunity. While giving it a fresh coat of paint can clean up the appearance, color can bring new life and purpose to an apartment building.

Are you trying to stay competitive in a crowded multi-family market? Maybe you want to seamlessly blend into a historic neighborhood, or stand out in a busy urban area where attention is hard to come by?

Or maybe you want to increase your property’s income potential and overall value.

With the right colors, you could accomplish all of these goals. The Sherwin-Williams color pallets discussed in this blog will do just that for you. Let’s look into some of the most exciting multi-family painting interior and exterior options of 2019!

Continue reading to find out how you can make your multi-family building truly stand out from the rest!

Sherwin-Williams Multi-Family Collection

Easy Eclectic

Inspired by the “less is more” lifestyle, your property will ooze with exceptional taste. This pallet blends bold clean colors that allow the room to highlight what matters most.

This pallet was designed for all age ranges but may cater to a millenial age group that desires simplicity in modern design. SW 70004 Snowbound is a perfect off-white to allow each color in this pallet to pop.

The exterior pallet will make your building pop too with the contrast of Software SW 7074 and Misty SW 6232. A clean and elegant design that is sure to stand the test of time.

Global Adventure

Inspired by culture and craft, this collection is made of saturated hues and earthy neutrals. This pallet speaks to the nomadic lifestyle and the notion that home is where you make it.

This pallet was designed for all age ranges. It works well with oak cabinets and beige carpets, which are very common in many units today. Heartthrob SW 6866 makes a perfect accent wall choice.

The exterior pallet will make your building pop with the contrast of earthy neutrals like Tamarind SW 7538 and saturated hues like In the Navy SW 9178.

Soft Minimalism

The Soft Minimalism collection is comprised of tinted neutrals and is influenced by stillness. This pallet will add relaxation to any room with its calming colors designed to help residents unwind. It is perfect for high-end apartments with an open floor plan. Sashay Sand SW 6051 pairs nicely with warm gray and beige tones.

The exterior pallet is simple yet classy and will give your building an added element of prestige. Soft Minimalism is a more sophisticated pallet, perfect for an older demographic and would pair nicely with dark cabinetry.

Don’t have dark cabinets but love this pallet? No problem! Did you know Truline does cabinet refinishing? Click here for more info

Good Vibes

There truly are “good vibes” all around with this color palette. The light and airy-hues of the good vibes color palette are sure to produce feelings of zen, peace, and inner-calmness.

Give your residents a place where they can truly unwind and let go of the stress of the day.

Origami White SW7636 is a perfect white to accentuate the expressive pops of zen color provided by Cloudburst SW6487 and Roycroft Rose SW0034.

Virtual Pop

This collection is sure to make a statement in any multi-family unit.  A perfect backdrop for positivity and new thoughts, this pallet blends high-energy pops of colors like green and yellow with whites and blacks. This would work well for a trendy or urban apartment community close to nightlife and retail and is perfect for student housing or millennials.

Looking to balance out neutrals with a pop? Try using Organic Green SW 6732 and Grape Harvest SW 6285 with a clean neutral color. The exterior can modernize a building with bold pops of color like Drizzle SW 6479.

Go the Extra Mile

Color has the ability to dress up a tired space and bring life into a room. A common misconception is that everything has to be white in a multi-family unit. One trend that many apartment owners are observing is that residents are willing to pay more for a unit that feels customized. By simply painting the interior of your units a color like soft gray, you can create a homey atmosphere that will draw-in tenants. This will convey the message that you’re willing to go the extra mile.

Beyond the Units 

Painting doesn’t stop just at the exterior or interior the units. Investing in the common areas is a great way to add a sense of community and purpose to your building. By using warm and inviting colors, you can create focal points where residents will want to spend time. This can be a great selling feature to prospective tenants. Another trend becoming more common in urban areas is many residents are spending less time inside their units and are valuing common areas in their decision on where to live. Creating a social gathering hub can all be started with the right paint colors. Sherwin-Williams has plenty of great color options that can maximize your common area’s potential.

multi family common area

The warm gray wall color brings together this cozy common area

Quick FAQ’s

Look at this stunning multi-family building

How can I make a small multi-family unit feel bigger?

Light colors can liven up a room and make it feel larger. Try using an off-white, green, or blue. Adding a lighter-colored trim can also create an elusion of space. As the trend of living in smaller spaces continues and the demand for apartments keeps growing in places like San Diego, smaller units (micro-units) will become much more common. Adding color can help maximize space.

How can I make my space feel warm and inviting?

Using a light “griege” (gray and beige combined) can add warmth and coziness to any room. Warm colors tend to close in large spaces which can create cozy spaces in any room. According to Zillow, griege was one of the most popular paint shades in a living room for 2017 and the trend seems to be continuing.

What is the go-to “classic” color for an interior?

White doesn’t have to be boring. Trying using off-whites and warm, light grays. These can play well to just about any prospective tenants taste. Thankfully, Sherwin-Williams provides an array of warm, neutral colors that will be perfect for any project. An apartment with a warm or neutral color tends to be much more inviting than something that is white. Orgamic White Sw 7636 and Snowbound SW7004 (mentioned above) are great examples of off-whites that are anything but boring.

What about the exterior of a multi-family building?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to painting the exterior of a multfamily building. It is important to consider factors like your neighborhood, demographics, and surrounding properties. After considering those factors, look for a color that will help your property stand out from the rest. Utilizing the right trim colors is a perfect way to dress up a tired building.

Our team of expert color-design consultants can help take the guessing out of the equation. Learn more about it by clicking here to visit our “services” tab!

The Verdict

The San Diego multi-family market is continuing to grow at a rapid pace, and as a result, tenants will start to desire more out of their living spaces. Investing in a major capital improvement like a new paint job can increase your bottom line by allowing you to charge higher rents, attract more tenants, and stay competitive in a growing market. It also has the added benefit of reducing long-term maintenance costs.

They say first impressions are everything, so why not hit a home-run by giving your multi-family building a new interior and exterior paint job!

Schedule your free estimate today and let us transform your multi-family property!

We’d love to hear from you. Let us know your thoughts below. Our painting contractor blog is designed to give you the latest and best painting tips.

In addition to multi-family painting, did you know we also do residential painting and commercial painting?

Click Here To Schedule Your Free Estimate
how to hire the right painting contractor

How To Hire The Right Painting Contractor

By | Blake Truline, Uncategorized

How to Hire The Right Painting Contractor

One of the most commonly asked questions when deciding to start a painting project is, “How do I hire the right painting contractor?”.

One trip to any popular search engine or directory for queries like “San Diego painters” or “San Diego house painter” will populate your screen with dozens of local results. While this is a great place to start, you often will want to dig a little deeper to understand exactly who it is that will be hiring. This post will hopefully help you make the right decision next time you need to hire a professional.

Start by reading online reviews, asking your friends and family, and then compiling a shortlist of 3-4 contractors. Look into the contractor’s experience, check if they are licensed, bonded, and insured, and if they have any affiliations with local commerce groups or professional organizations. Obtain estimates from your shortlist and be clear of your needs. Never hire solely on price and beware of subcontracting. The contractor should always provide you with a clear and complete contract and provide guarantees/warranties that last at least two years which guarantee the quality of their work. Now that we’ve hit on the high-level concepts, let’s look at each of these points in greater detail below so you can add them to your hiring a painter checklist.


 What is A Painting Contractor?

Before we delve in, you might be asking yourself, “what is a painting contractor and how is it different from a painter?”. Good question. To put it simply, hiring a painting contractor can help to removes all the risks and responsibilities from a potential client. They carry with them general liability and workers compensation insurance which will protect you from any liability should an accident occur. A well-reviewed painting contractor will remove any concerns over the quality of their work as they possess a higher quality of craftsmanship. Their reputation is on the line with each painting job, and if anything goes wrong, they will be much more likely to fix it to preserve their reputation. Lastly, a painting contractor will always supply all of their own supplies. This means all paint and equipment. You will not need to purchase your own paint directly from the store which can remove any issues such as defective paint or a wrong color. Now, the checklist!

Due Diligence

how to hire the right paintnig contractorThis step is the most important and therefore we’ve listed it first. The first thing you can do is start with a search for painters in your area. Your goal is to compile a short-list of 3-4 companies that you will contact. We recommend you visit at least 2 different search engines, for example, Google, Yelp, Angie’s List, Home Advisor, etc… Before you look at the company’s description of their services, look at past-customer reviews. These are far more honest and cut through a lot of the “fluff” companies can place in their service descriptions.

When reading past reviews, try to look for potential red-flags that recur in several reviews. If you notice a lot of the same problems, that’s an immediate red flag. Another red flag can be if the company doesn’t seem to respond to negative reviews or attempt to make things right. It is human to make mistakes, but you can learn a lot about a company by how they respond to negative reviews. When you are conducting your initial due diligence, check if the company mentions that they are licensed and insured. If the company does not openly disclose this, that could be a potential red flag.

Another great way to compile your list is to ask your friends and family if they can refer any good painters in your area. This can often be more effective and efficient than an online search.

Credentials

Check to see if the company is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). See if they are affiliated with painting organizations like the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) or are involved with a local chamber of commerce or business group. While this doesn’t 100% guarantee their work, it conveys the message that they are committed and reliable.

We are a proud member of the PDCA here at TruLine Painting. Unsure of why it is important to hire a PDCA member painting contractor? Learn more about the strict code of ethics here

Also, check sites like Yelp, Home Advisor, and Angie’s List to see if they’ve won any awards. This typically means they are highly reviewed and recommended.

Verify their state license and credentials by checking your state’s Contractors State License Board. Here in California, you can use the Department of Consumer Affairs License Verification System. To find your states, simply google “[insert state] contractor license verification”.

Are they lead-based paint certified? Lead-based paint has been outlawed since 1978, however, there are painting contractors that are not properly-certified or do not abide by the rules laid out by the EPA. Failure to comply with the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) can result in daily fines of up to $30,000 per day. This can be for this such as not obtaining certification, not supplying pamphlets to customers, not properly containing or cleaning up an area, and withholding information. Always check with the painting contractor beforehand. 

Some cities like San Diego may have different rules, so make sure your San Diego Painting Contractor understands this.

Also, check with the Better Business Bureau or your local consumer affairs agency to see if there is a history of any unresolved complaints.

Obtain Estimates

Once you’ve compiled your shortlist, schedule estimates with each company. A good painting contractor will always want to see a project before giving you an estimate. If the company tries to supply you with an estimate over the phone, that’s a potential red flag. No two painting projects are alike and the estimate they give you will likely be inaccurate. It also conveys the message that the company is either too busy or doesn’t value your needs.

What to Expect From A Painting Contractor Estimate

The estimate should contain at the very minimum the following information:

  • Labor
  • Materials
  • A detailed explanation of prep work
  • Total number of coats that will be applied
  • The time frame of the project
  • Brand and model of material to be used

A sign of an experienced estimator is one that takes the time to talk to you about your needs, walks the entire area to be painted, and makes thoughtful suggestions.

Be Clear Of Your Needs

San Diego Painting Contractor

The old cliché “communication is key” stands up here. It’s very important to be upfront with the painting contractor if you have a tight deadline, want a certain “look”, or have issues like an uneven surface that needs to be painted a specific way. A good painting contractor will always listen to your needs and try to find a solution to those issues. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you may have, there truly isn’t a stupid question when you’re paying money for a service. During the initial phone call or estimate, be sure to address any and all concerns with the estimator.

Never Hire Solely On Price

Always dig deeper than comparing painters solely by price. You may find a painter that advertises an enticingly cheap special, but if you read the fine print you may notice it doesn’t include the price of paint, prep work, additional rooms, etc… So, what once seemed like a good deal is now more expensive. Additionally, the cheapest company may not offer guarantees or may not be properly licensed and insured. Conversely, going with the most expensive company does not always guarantee the best results.

What matters is the quality of work, past reviews, communication, and the thoroughness of the painting company. Additionally, be aware of painters that subcontract out work. You always want to work directly with the company that will be painting your home.

BE AWARE OF UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS: Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover damages done to your home by an unlicensed contractor. Want to learn more about the dangers of hiring an unlicensed painting contractor? Read our article here to find out how they can cost you up to $750,000!

Just a side note, we are not saying the cheapest painter may not be the best option. You just need to make sure you do your due diligence before hiring them (like you would with any other option).

Examine the contract

Make sure you obtain a complete contract from the painting contractor. The contract should always include all of the contractor’s basic information including:

  • name
  • address
  • all phone numbers
  • contractor’s license number
  • all the details included in the estimate

The contract should also always clearly state what is and isn’t included in the contract. Be sure to ask for a copy of their insurance and license. If the contractor doesn’t have insurance, you will be held liable for an accident. For example, if one of the painters need to use a ladder and accidentally fall, you would be on the hook. That’s something nobody wants to deal with.

The contractor should also always provide a guarantee and warranty on their work for at least two years.

Gut Feeling

This one does not require much explanation. Always trust your gut feeling and always go with the painting contractor that makes you feel 100% satisfied. Painting your home is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make as a homeowner. You will be seeing it every day as you come home for years. So think to yourself, do you really want to be reminded of a negative experience? Consider what that’s worth next time you make your decision.


Bottom Line

Conducting a little due diligence can go a long way when looking to hire the right painting contractor. With these tips, we hope you will hire the right painting contractor. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’re happy to help!

Looking for a licensed, insured, and reputable painter in the San Diego area?

TruLine Painting San Diego

We would be honored if you would give TruLine Painting the opportunity to earn your business.

With over 25 years of industry experience and hundreds of 5-star reviews online, we deliver results that perform a “cut above the rest”. We are your one-stop-shop painting contractor and offer interior and exterior painting, general contractor services, cabinet refinishing and staining, power washing, window cleaning, and much more. To learn about all our services and to schedule your free estimate, please click here.

 

exterior house painting benefits

7 Major Benefits of Exterior House Painting

By | Blake Truline, Uncategorized

Exterior Home Painting Has An Endless List of Benefits

A new exterior paint job offers a whole lot more than making your home look pretty. Painting the exterior of your home can be one of the greatest investments you’ll ever make as an owner. Just like new windows offers multiple benefits like reduced energy cost, increased property value, temperature control, etc… an exterior paint job offers a homeowner a bundle of benefits. It’s time to brush up on your exterior painting knowledge!

Enhance Curb Appeal

Don’t underestimate the aesthetic value a fresh coat of paint can bring. Every time you pull into the driveway, you’ll feel a new sense of inspiration and connection to your home. Depending on your intention, you can use paints that will help you blend into your neighborhood, or you can go bold and choose to stand out, making your home the talk of the neighborhood.

Curb appeal isn’t just for you. If you’re planning on selling your home, you need to consider that the first thing a potential buyer will see is the exterior of your property. Setting the right impression from the start can lead to higher offers and more interest. If they enjoy the exterior, they’re far more likely to venture inside.

Increase Your Property Value

property value increaseRenovations are key to increasing property value, but not all of them offer the same return on investment. According to a recent US News article, a major kitchen renovation can yield as low as a 65% return on investment. An exterior paint job, on the other hand, can produce a return on investment of up to 140%.

exterior painting home benefits return on investment

Protect your home from the elements

exterior paint chipping

We are fairly fortunate here in San Diego to have little to no extreme weather, however, we do still get our fair share intense sunshine and also rain during wet seasons. Intense sun rays can lead to blistering, peeling, and cracking exterior paint. Over time, as the paint begins to crack and chip away, your home becomes much more exposed to the elements. This can be a major problem when intense rain or other moisture becomes introduced to the exterior.

Exposed wood is highly susceptible to issues like mold and mildew which can begin to break down the structure of your home.

A new coat of exterior paint can help seal off your home from the elements!

 

Keep the bugs out!

 

Termite Damage Exterior Home

Source: https://innovativepest.com

Termites can be a major problem for wood-based homes. Being proactive in identifying a potential problem can save you thousands of dollars in structural damage. Assessing the condition of the siding of your home prior to painting can help spot any potential threats. In addition, adding a new coat of exterior paint has the additional benefit of sealing off any areas, which can stop an infestation in its tracks.

Bring Out Other Features

Exterior Home Painting

A fresh coat of paint that compliments your landscape, siding, roof, etc, can create a harmonious balance with the exterior of your home.

Extend the life of your siding

truline painting house siding

Source: www.homedepot.com

A new coat of paint can help to increase the life of your siding, regardless of the type (wood, vinyl, etc…). Even if the new paint only adds a few years of life to the siding, that could be potentially thousands of dollars saved. A fresh coat of exterior paint can also cover up any minor blemishes or minor wear on the siding. Note: house painting is not a suitable alternative to siding that has major damage or is in poor condition.

Finally, you will protect what is arguably your biggest investment- your home!

truline painting residential paintingFrom keeping out the elements to insects to extending the life of the exterior, painting your house is one of the smartest investments you can make. The inherent value of exterior house painting will have you enjoying its many benefits for years to come!

 

So you understand the benefits but what do you do next?

Well, there’s more to an exterior paint job than just deciding on the right color and applying it to your home. There are many things to consider to make sure the job is done right, but arguably the most important is making sure you have the right people for the job. Hiring a skilled painting contractor can save you time and ensure that your new exterior paint job will be consistent and long-lasting. When hiring a painting contractor, always look for someone who is licensed, insured, and has been in the business long enough to have a dependable reputation.

 

Interested in learning more about TruLine and how we can meet all of your painting needs?

Truline Painting San Diego Painter

 

TruLine Painting has over 25 years of experience in residential exterior painting and strives to deliver a 5-star experience every time. You can rest assured knowing you will get only the highest quality exterior paint job. We proudly use only the highest quality paints from industry leaders like Sherwin-Williams, Dunn-Edwards and Benjamin Moore.

We understand that your home is a special place and that’s why we treat every job with the same level of care and compassion that we’ve become known for. We work directly with our customers to ensure 100% satisfaction every time. Give us a call at 619-663-5878 or click below to get your free estimate and let us help you transform your home!

Click Here to Schedule Your Free Estimate

Looking for some inspiration on the top residential painting trends of 2018? Click here to read our insightful post! 

We’d love to hear from you. Let us know your thoughts below and tell us what topics you’d like to see next. Our painting contractor blog is designed to give you the latest and best painting tips.

multi family exterior painting san diego

How to Choose the Right Paint Color For Your Multi-Family Property

By | Blake Truline

Make Your Multi-Family Building Stand Out!

Looking for some advice on how to pick the right paint color for your multi-family or apartment building?

Did you know choosing the right color can:

  • Increase curb appeal
  • Keep current residents longer
  • Drive prospective tenants to your leasing office, filling vacancies quicker
  • Increase your properties value and ultimately the return on investment (ROI)
  • Make your property stand out amongst competitors

With a myriad of color choices out there, trying to find the right choice can be difficult. A recent poll on Houzz showed that more than 30% of property owners decided not to paint their building because they felt overwhelmed by the color choices.

There must be a more straightforward solution.

I believe you should start with some primary considerations that will make this process simple and straightforward. Multi-family exterior painting doesn’t need to be difficult!

Let’s take a more in-depth look.

Define Your "Color Goals"

goal setting I recommend that you take out a piece of paper and write down your top 3 goals in painting your multi-family building. You’ll learn a lot from this brief exercise.

You may have included things like

  • Increase my property value
  • Stay updated with current color trends
  • Better match my properties external features (roof, parking lot, landscape, etc…)
  • Attract new demographics
  • Stand out amongst my competitors

Each of these goals is an excellent jumping off point in your color exploration.

Building Type

multi family exterior painting san diegoYou’ll want to make sure you stay realistic with your property-type. If you have a traditional low-rise apartment building, you can go for a more urban pallet. If you own a modern high-rise, it may require a more sophisticated pallet. Remember that it’s ok to take inspiration from other buildings in your area.

Your buildings architecture is also a significant element to start with. Start with your existing roof color and building trim and try to build a pallet around it. Often this is a great way to save time and money.

Consider the Surface that Will be Painted

Multi-Family Exterior Painting TruLine Painting San Diego

Photo Courtesy of JC Backings

Are the buildings surface wood? Brick? Masonite? Vinyl? Aluminum? This should be one of the first things you consider. You will need to choose the proper color to enhance that surface and avoid deterioration of the paint over time.

Remember, the same paint color will not look the same on different surfaces.

Consider External Elements

Multi-Family Exterior Painting Landscape–  Factor in things like landscaping when choosing the right color pallet. You want to make sure that the colors complement your landscape rather than clash. Your goal should be to create a harmonious appearance.

–  If you have bright colored flowers, you may want to go for a more neutral exterior paint pallet. This will give your landscape an added pop and draw attention to your building.

–  If your landscape is more neutral, you could have the opportunity to get bolder with your exterior paint pallet.

–  The roof, parking areas, and all other areas not painted should be considered. Your goal is to create harmony amongst the areas.

–  If you have a building exterior that is partial stone, try to find a color that will enhance this feature.

–  For brick exteriors, I recommend either painting the brick (depending on its condition) or choosing a scheme that will complement the existing brick color.

Consider Your Neighborhood and Demographic

Urban Apartment Neighborhood–  Are you in a historic area that is predominantly brick? Or maybe in a trendier urban area with concrete? You want to make sure you pick colors that will compliment your surrounding buildings.

–  If your goal is to stand out in the neighborhood, be sure to consider your intentions. A tasteful color pop can prove to be very useful, but remember that if it’s too out of context, your building might be talked about for the wrong reasons. Remember to consider the people that are living in this building. It’s essential to choose a color that an average resident would find aesthetically pleasing.

–  Identify who your target resident would be. This can be a great starter for where you should take your color search. A more neutral and sophisticated color pallet would be ideal for an upscale building that is oriented towards an older or more affluent resident, while a bright pallet may be suitable for millennials.

Now that you’ve considered several factors, it’s time to look at color. If you haven’t already, check out our last blog post on the top Multi-Family Color Trends of 2018. This is an excellent jumping off point for gathering ideas.

Sherwin-Williams Color Snap Visualizer

Sherwin-Williams Color Snap VisualizerAfter you’ve weighed several factors and looked at different pallets, it’s time to see it in action. If you’ve ever been to a paint store before, you know it can be overwhelming looking at dozens of paint cards and trying to visualize what it would look like on your property.

Did you know Sherwin-Williams offers a free tool that lets you see what each color and pallet would look like?

All you need to do is upload an exterior photo of your property, and then you can mix and match with different combinations. This is a risk-free way to see multiple options quickly and easily.

Click here to check it out!

Contact Us For Color Expertise

Did you know TruLine offers color consulting services? As San Diego’s premier painting company with over 25 years of industry experience, our team of professionals will guide you through every step of the way. We have extensive experience in both commercial and residential projects and will help you find the perfect color for your property.

Included in every paint job is a free one-hour color consultation. 

Give us a call today and let us show you why we’re a “cut above the rest”.

If you have any other tips or thoughts on choosing the right color, or multi-family exterior painting in general, please leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.

Our painting contractor blog is designed to give you the latest and best painting tips. Don’t hesitate to suggest any future topics!

It's Time to Transform Your Multi-Family Property

Schedule your FREE estimate with us today

San Diego Painters

Residential Painting Color Trends of 2018

By | Blake Truline

Looking to Add Some Excitement To Your Daily Life?

Deciding on the right paint color for your next residential painting project can be a tremendous challenge. Not only because it is a major investment, but also because of the emotional investment attached to choosing the right color. We understand that it is often one of the toughest decisions you’ll face as a homeowner.

But here’s the catch…

It doesn’t have to be that way!

These residential painting trends of 2018 are sure to give you plenty of ideas for your next painting project. It’s time to revitalize your home!

Read More

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