Question: I am planning to have an...

Question: I am planning to have an extensive painting job done on a fairly large piece of property that I own. I have been given all types of different bids, but it seems that I am comparing apples to grapes. Can you be of any assistance?

Answer: The Contractors’ State License Board recently published a brochure called “Painting Contractors and Contracts” which covers the different phases of doing business with a painting contractor.

As you may know, after general contractors, the largest number of licensees in the state are painting contractors. At the same time, it usually does not require a building permit for a person to have his residence or commercial building painted. The result is that there are many licensed individuals operating as painting contractors.

This booklet gives a number of “do’s and don’ts” for hiring a painting contractor and what questions to ask about interior and exterior surfaces before painting. It also gives information on bonds, bids and the contractual obligations involved.

For a copy of this pamphlet, you can write to the Contractors’ State License Board, P.O. Box 26000, Sacramento, Calif. 95826 or send me a self-addressed, stamped envelope and I will be happy to send you a copy.

Fontaine is president of the Western Regional Master Builders Assn. and a director of the American Building Contractors Assn. He will answer questions concerning home improvements. Phone 213/653-4084 or write him at 6404 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 850, Los Angeles 90048-5510.