Finding and Hiring the Perfect Wallpaper Installation Professional

Wallpaper installation, like most other professional services, can be a hit-or-miss proposition. Some consumers, especially those with direct experience, choose to undertake this process themselves. Many others, however, understand that, unless you’re adept at do-it-yourself endeavors, rookie mistakes can threaten the project’s quality and budget. Wallpaper is rapidly becoming one of the most popular home decorating choices. If you have decided to put your wallcovering project in the hands of an experienced and reputable expert, read on for some helpful tips for locating the perfect installer.

Why an Experienced Paper Hanger is Important

Before thinking about putting up wallpaper, your walls must be prepped, primed and perfect. Otherwise, your finished product will look a little like a youngster’s art project, potentially damaging your walls and leaving a huge mess in its wake. Walls free of defects will hold the wallcovering in place much more effectively, making it easier to remove in the future. Second, already damaged walls will only worsen after the paper is applied. If you make the choice to hire wallcovering professionals, you won’t find yourself halfway through the project with a disaster on your hands.

Locating a Reputable Installer

Thanks to the Internet, hiring an installation pro is much easier than it was in the past. As with any other service professional, look for someone with plenty of testimonials and positive feedback. You may also consider asking friends and coworkers for referrals, an approach that may land you a high-end installer with commendable results. While referrals are helpful, having the opportunity to view the finished work is the best way to determine if the installation was as impressive as the reviews lead you to believe. You can always look for Better Business Bureau accreditation as well, when choosing an installer. Finally, be sure to talk to several installers and solicit multiple bids for your project. That way, you can compare and contrast the reasons certain price quotes may be higher or lower than others. As a general rule, make sure each bid is offering the same services, so you know you’re comparing apples to apples.

What to Include in the Installation Contract

By far, adequate detail is the most important aspect of your installation contract. The installer should provide you with specified costs for each portion of the work, rather than an hourly rate. Likewise, you must provide detailed instructions and set forth your expectations in writing. This includes asking for the contractor’s insurance and license information, to protect yourself against job abandonment or damage to your home or office.

With regard to warranty, be sure that the contract includes provisions for repair or replacement, if flaws in workmanship turn up down the road. Finally, set forth the project schedule and milestones in the contract, along with your remedies, should the installers fail to deliver on their commitment. Consumer protection advocates warn against using any contractors who demand a substantial portion of their payment in advance. Independent installers may request a small percentage up front, but be sure to withhold any final payment until the job is complete and you are satisfied with the results.

Wallpaper installation is possible on a do-it-yourself basis, but a professional installer may save you time, money and heartache. Whichever way you choose to proceed, select your wallpaper from the hundreds of designer-inspired choices available at Wallpaper Warehouse. Their knowledgeable customer service team can help you understand the process, providing you with a significant advantage for overseeing your wallpaper installation.

Guide to Removing Popcorn Ceiling

If you live in a house more than 15 years old, chances are you have popcorn ceilings that went out of style as soon as they started. It can be a lot of hard work to get them down and may even be dangerous, but if you're updating your home, it's a necessity.

Follow this DIY guide to removing your popcorn ceilings, or call a UMNOFF INCORPORATED professional to get the job done right.

Equipment

Most paint jobs require quite a bit of equipment, and this is no exception. If you’re a big fan of DIY, then you most likely have some of these items already on tap.

Plastic sheeting
Rosin paper
Painter’s tape
Rags
Putty knife
Pump up sprayer
Liquid dish washing soap
6” or wider floor scraper
Sanding pad (with handle)
Drywall joint compound and tape
Protective equipment

Preparation

Removing your popcorn ceiling can be a messy job, so proper preparation tactics are important in order to refrain from damaging your walls or floor.

Cover up or remove all furniture from the room.
Cover up any vents with plastic.
Cover wall outlets and switches with plastic, sealing them with painter’s tape
Cover the floor with plastic, going up the wall about a foot and sealing with painter’s tape.
Lastly, line the edge of the ceiling with painter’s tape.

Taking it down

Actually scraping the texture off the ceiling is the hard part; be sure to wear protective equipment and don’t do anything if you think your ceiling might have asbestos.

If the ceiling isn’t painted, fill a pump sprayer with warm water, adding 2-3 tablespoons of dish soap per gallon of water.
Heavily spray a 4-6 foot square section of the ceiling with the solution; wet enough to loosen it, but not so wet that it sinks into the drywall underneath.
Let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
Use a floor scraper, or similar wide blade tool, to gently scrape away the popcorn texture. Make sure not to tear the drywall below the texture.
If the texture is more difficult to remove, spray it again, let it soak, and try scraping again.
Use a putty knife to scrape away any residue and get into the corners.

Finishing Touches

No job is perfect, so you’ll probably need to do some repair and finishing touches after the texture has been removed.

Replace damaged drywall tape and smooth out the joints with joint compound.
Once the repair work has dried, sand the ceiling with a long handled sanding pad. Only sand the spots that are uneven, because too much sanding can damage the ceiling.
The final touch is to prime and paint the ceiling, and admire your hard work!

Trendy Exterior House Paint Combinations

If you plan to refreshed exterior paint colors for your house or choose a color palette for a brand new home, one of the most important decisions that you’ll have to make is the color scheme. Exterior paint color combinations typically consist of three colors—a dominant color for the siding, and colors for the trim and accent. The right exterior colors impact the overall appearance of your home maximize its curb appeal. However, color selection represents a challenge because of the many variety of shades and hues on the market. UMNOFF INCORPORATED has seen some color combinations come and go, while other colors remain popular no matter the current flavors of the day. This short guide looks at some color palettes that are currently trending.

What Colors Should I Paint My House?

Determine whether you prefer warm, cool or neutral exterior paint colors for your house. As you research exterior paint combinations, keep in mind the visual impact that your chosen colors will have on your home. For example, dark exterior colors can make a home appear smaller. In contrast, painting the exterior of a large home on a small lot in lighter colors, makes the structure seem more proportional to the lot size.

Some of the more interesting color combinations that you may want to consider include:

White/Aquamarine/Tangerine -- Among the exterior color schemes trending this year, white siding, aquamarine paint for framing trim and shutters. Accent the front door with Tangerine to create an attention-getting effect. This color scheme, or similar color combinations, works well for colonial architectural styles.

Stormy Gray/Paprika Red/Bright White -- Available in a wide range of hues, gray has always been a color that exudes a chic sophisticated look on the exterior. Use stormy gray as the dominant color for the siding. Paint eaves, window frames, porch trim, and accent the front door, with Paprika Red. Apply Bright White paint to window sashes to make your home a real showstopper.

Buttercream Yellow/White/Black -- Yellow creates an enthusiast happy vibe when selected as the dominant color in a palette. Yellows with a red undertone delivers a classic look on the exterior. Buttercream Yellow walls combined with a pristine Bright White trims and accents. Set off these colors with a black-shingled roof makes your homes irresistible and will jettison its curb appeal into the stratosphere.

These are just a few of the more popular exterior color combinations. Consult your painting professional to find the right color scheme for your home.

Tips for Exterior Paint Colors Selection

You can use paint colors to highlight specific architectural attribute For example, if you have a black roof, you may want to consider cool shades for your exterior color palette. If you have brown shingles, warmer colors tend to work best. Some other factors that you should note include:

Neighbors’ exterior paint schemes – Make sure that the color scheme you choose matches the same level of intensity as surrounding homes.
Local trends– Extend your color selection research to investigate regional and historical color schemes. Also, look into whether your Home Owner's Association has any rules governing your options.

To add more impact to your dominant exterior color, chose darker or lighter color variations to accent building components like eaves, shutters and window frames.

Professional Expertise

Regardless of the final choice of colors for your home, exterior painting is a big project that requires careful consideration and preparation. UMNOFF INCORPORATED specializes in interior and exterior painting for both residential and commercial projects. Whether you need a second opinion on paint color combinations or prefer to put the entire project in the hands of an expert, we are here to help. Schedule your free estimate and consultation directly on our calendar by choosing the date and time that is convenient for you!

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