Frequently Asked Questions–Paint & Stain

What sets you apart from other painting contractors?

 We take great care to hire conscientious, productive employees. We set high standards and hold them to the highest level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. We also know that value comes from treating you as a longtime, repeat customer, not just a one-time paint/stain job. We pride ourselves on providing you with the highest levels of customer service and professionalism before, during, and after your paint/stain project.

How often do I need to paint/stain my house?

A good stain job will last from 3 to 5 years. A good paint job may last 4 to 7 years. There are many factors that will determine the longevity of your exterior wood treatment, including quality of the product, preparation and application technique, sun, wind, and UV exposure, and mold and mildew growth to name a few.

How often do I need to stain my deck?

Every year. Unlike the outside walls of your house. Your deck undergoes a significant higher level of exposure to sun, wind, UV exposure, and snowpack during the winter. Combine that with foot traffic and the occasional gathering and that wood will age faster. 

Do you give advice on color selection?

 Yes. We can provide you with advice on what color to choose. If you prefer we can also direct you to a professional color consultant who can assist you. You also have the option to have us apply test samples on your house to determine what colors will look like on your exterior wood.

What do I need to do to prepare my house?

 Not much. Please make sure that we have access to power and water. We will remove items (deck furniture, BBQs, signage, decorations) from the exterior of your home and temporarily store them in an area where they will not get damaged. If needed, we will remove firewood from your deck or walkway for an additional fee.

Do I need to be at my house when you perform work?

No. In fact, you will probably prefer to be away while we work at your house. It can be noisy and a bit smelly at times. We also cover the windows with plastic to protect the glass and window frame during the paint/stain process. This can lead to a claustrophobic, muggy environment inside the home that you may prefer to avoid.

Do you need access to my home?

Yes. We need access to water and electricity. We also check inside your home after we pressure wash the exterior to make sure that no water leaks into the home. That way, we can quickly clean up any water before it causes any damage.

How long do you require to paint/stain my home?

 We usually require a full week. It takes us about one complete day to pressure wash and clean your home. It is necessary for the home to dry for one full day before we apply the product to it. The staining/painting process takes about 2 full days. We usually return to the home on another day to touch up areas that require additional work, paint the foundation, piers, and footings and clean up the job site.

 What kind of product do you use?

We use the highest quality products that are compatible with the products currently in your home. You may save money by using a less expensive product but you will actually pay more in the long run by using a product that doesn’t provide the longevity of tested premium products.

Can you treat only the weathered sides of my home?

 Yes, but a lot of the cost to stain/paint your house is in the preparation and setup. It doesn’t take much longer for us to prepare, pressure wash and treat the entire house versus just a part of your home. In fact, it takes a lot of time and energy to avoid getting products on certain sides of the home. Often there isn’t a dramatic price difference between a partial and full home treatment.

Are you a licensed and insured painting contractor?

 Yes, we are licensed by the California State License Board (CSLB #480916) as a General Building Contractor with a Painting & Decorating endorsement. The CSLB and California Employment Development Department require businesses that have employees to maintain worker’s compensation insurance. We maintain both liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance in order to protect our business, our workers, and our clients from unfortunate accidents.

Why did I only get $300 off of my summer service when it is supposed to be 10% off?

Elements Mtn Co offers all new and existing snow removal customers 10% off their summer services UP TO $300.