Hello friends!
I'm hoping to shed some light on a painting job that is to be done for me. Something just doesn't feel right re the terms of this smaller size job.
This is what I'm looking at................
approx 1000 sq ft interior drywall to be textured and painted.
All joints are already taped and sanded well.
Texture will be troweled on joint compound.
There is no trim up yet so cutting is minimal.
I'm told that... the texture...2 coats of primer.....and 2 coats of satin paint can all be done in one day by one person @ $30.00
per hour. This seems unrealistic to me...HELP!?!?! am I being duped? ALL opinions are gratefully received!
Many thanks in advance
Whitefeather.

 

Get another bid.... or 2

Unless they use a setting compound, it will take a day for the texture to dry.

Rarely is there a need for a 2nd coat of primer. 1 is usually sufficent but it would need 4 hr minimum drying time.

The 2 coats of satin paint need to be applied over dry primer and the 1st coat should be good and dry before the 2nd is applied. Too much paint applied in too short of a time period will result in the underlying coats taking longer to cure. It is also easy to damage the paint [including the texture] while the paint is curing.

Unless you have a working relationship with the contractor it is almost always best to get a firm price! Paying by the hour could lead into money spent without a lot of work being finished

 

If this contractor doesn't have to worry about carpet or floor as well as trim being up, it could very well be possible for him to prime and topcoat 2 coats in a good day by himself. But he does not need to put on 2 coats of primer, that is pointless. It is true that if paint isn't given time to cure, it is easy to mark as it is still tender. If he came in with fans and put on the rooms as he finished each coat, it would be dry enough to proceed to the next. But keep in mind, painting like this doesn't allow curing time between so you'll have to be careful for several days. It won't look or be wet but still soft and tender. Now the part about texturizing in the same day as well, I'd be concerned about that. It would take longer for it to dry and if he tried to prime and paint it before it turns hard, the paint will soften it and pull it off as he would roll. If you choose to have him do the work, I would insist on waiting till the texture is dry before priming and painting, not all done in the same day. Perhaps you could ask him for a bid not by the hr but how much he'd charge for all the work. If he seems to think he can do it all in a day for $30 an hr, he shouldn't have a problem giving you a set amount. Otherwise, your $30 an hr may turn into 3 days worth at $30 an hr.