Paint Quality - You Get What You Pay For Phoenix, AZ, May 28, 2008. Dear friends and colleagues: As with most other things in life, quality is important and usually costs more. We all know there is a difference between the lowest cost and the best value. This is especially true when it comes to paint. Consider your last painting project. The cost of the materials was actually the smallest part of the overall price you paid. The cost of labor and company overhead to provide the necessary insurance, etc. to operate makes up the largest part of the price. Since the cost of materials is the smallest part of the equation, yet makes the biggest difference in the longevity and quality of your paint job, why not specify the best paint available? Please see the example below: A 100% Acrylic paint will do the following: deliver better hiding allow for easy removal of marks and stains go on more smoothly will have good blister resistance will not chalk will have a uniform color. 100% acrylic paints are best suited to deliver these properties. So why not pay more to get a quality paint? In fact, if you look at the cost over the lifetime of the paint, the quality paint actually cost less per year in the long term. Recently, the Paint Quality Institute conducted a test of commercial paints via various channels. The results showed that the higher quality acrylic paints were more durable. It's important to understand also that all paint stores sell High Grade and Low Grade paint products. For example, 100% Acrylic is a High Grade, a Vinyl/Acrylic is a Medium Grade and a Vinyl is a Low Grade. Make sure that all your bid specifications and bid proposals state by product name and grade the quality product you want for your project. When painting one should reflect on the total cost to complete the job - including the cost of the paint and the total cost of labor. If you receive multiple bids and one bid is more than 20% lower than the other bids, it is likely due to the following reasons: Labor is not legal The quality of the paint and or the amount applied is insufficient or watered down The contractor does not have a complete grasp on there true cost of operation and/or is not in it for the long haul. A quality paint job will keep your home or building looking better longer. At Ghaster Painting and Coatings, our motto is "our jobs look better longer". If you have any questions or comments, please call me at 603-277-8541. Sincerely, Brad Ghaster President Ghaster Paintings & Coatings