Everything you need to know about apartment building painting
Oil painting the exterior of an apartment building is a complicated and time-consuming process. In fact, this particular work is usually carried out approximately every decade, due to both the cost and the preparation required before it begins. However, it is particularly important, since in this way the value of the houses rises.
Below is a detailed guide, with everything you need to know if you decide to undertake the respective renovation process.
Update on the regulation of the apartment building
One of the most basic things is to know what the regulations of each apartment building provide. Remember that not all apartment buildings have the same rule, so study it carefully before anything else. Afterwards, a meeting should be held, in which both landlords and tenants will be present. During the assembly the reason why the oil painting process is necessary should be mentioned and discussed. Also, how you will find and approach the relevant professionals should be discussed and the budget for this work should be agreed in advance. It is necessary that at least half agree in order for the change to take place.
Permits for oil painting
The Ministry of Environment and Energy as well as the relevant legislation provide that a special renovation permit is needed for the painting of the apartment building , if and as long as scaffolding will be used. Especially for exterior oil painting, the measures are stricter. Such a procedure has a high cost and associated risk, so you will need a small-scale permit from the City’s building service, town planning. This can be submitted by the authorized engineer who has undertaken the project. It is advisable not to carry out any work without the special permission. Keep in mind that in case of an accident at work or an accident to a passerby, the cost will be higher than the issuance of the permit.
Cost for the oil painting license of the apartment building
The small-scale license has a different cost as it is directly linked to small jobs, which tend to be more economical as well. The price is roughly around 1200 euros, an amount which is however not binding. Also, the cost is affected by the square meters of each apartment building. Remember that along with the above, you will have to additionally calculate the cost of the workshop’s building signs, which are provided for by law. Furthermore, it will be necessary to appoint an engineer for the study of the area, who will also make the relevant report for you, signing as the person responsible for carrying out the work. Therefore, the price is affected by many factors and for this reason it is never fixed.
Reach out to the right professionals
The process of painting the exterior walls of an apartment building also needs the competent people in order to be carried out successfully. You will need to work with expert technicians and engineers, who will help you with the study and permits of the construction work. In addition, it is very important not to hire individual oil painters, but a specialized crew. In this way, the work will be carried out in a short time and more safely, always aiming for the best result.
Preparation is the key
In painting, preparation is more than half the battle. Paint sticks much better to clean surfaces, resulting in a tough and durable finish, and time spent on preparation is time saved in cleanup and touch up work later.
- Clean all surfaces. A good painting contractor will have standard cleaning procedures in place so that you don’t need to organise or perform the work separately. In general, warm water and gentle soap are enough to clean a surface well enough for the paint to adhere, however on large buildings cleaning is better left to teams with the power washers and scaffolding needed to complete the work quickly and safely.
- Mask off areas that don’t need to be painted. You should always provide a comprehensive list of what you do and don’t need to be painted around the building. For areas that need paint, external fixtures and fittings will be masked off to save on cleanup work later. That includes things like windows, air conditioning units, signage, external lights and any other parts of the building that need to be protected from overspray.
- Perform any repairs the building needs. This could be as simple as replacing caulking around window frames or sourcing replacements for rotten siding panels. Make sure this work is done before painting begins so the repairs become a seamless part of the end product.
Notify tenants and neighbours. Painting can be a messy process, and it may take days or weeks depending on the size of the building, so tenants and neighbours will need plenty of notice. Especially for jobs where the building will be spray painted, notifying tenants so they can cover or move their cars and make alternative plans for getting around should be a standard part of your painter’s procedures.
Ensure you have the right tools for the job
Whoever you hire to paint your building, it’s important to make sure they have access to the right tools for the job. Remember that you’re not only paying for the paint and materials, you’re paying for the labour invested in the project. Large painting jobs quickly become inefficient and expensive when the wrong tools are being used.
At a minimum, you should enquire about your painter’s equipment and find out whether they will be spraying the paint or applying it some other way. Also ask about whether they have access to ladders, scaffolding, cherry pickers or the harnesses they’ll need to reach tall and obscure parts of the building.
Safety first!
Your apartment building is probably full of people, and the painters working on the exterior will often be working at heights. Those two things both carry significant risks where work is carried out improperly.
As part of preparing for the job, you should perform a risk assessment that can be shared with your painting company. Your painter will perform their own risk assessment, but it’s a good idea to have one for your own records too. Speak to the team about their approach to safety and make sure they have a plan that protects everyone involved. Remember, if someone is hurt on a property you own, you may be liable for their injuries.