Communicating About Paint, Painting and Painters by Arthur Raybold

Those who make decisions about paint colors for their communities should insist upon large samples of color schemes being painted on the surfaces of buildings so that all owners may express an opinion. Fan decks and draw downs (6 inch by 12 inch) are simply too small to give the sense of reality that outdoor applications come closer to providing. Someone can point to this sample and smile. This means they approve. No language needed. Some other owners may draw graffiti on it to communicate their displeasure.

Notices to homeowners that painting is about to proceed in their area and that objects should be removed from the decks, that autos should be removed to spray-safe areas and that doors should be left unlocked unless Saturdays would be a better time and that windows should be closed because of power washing are still commonly used. But some owners never enter the doors those notices are attached to. Sometimes dogs and children eat the notices or sometimes you have a self-appointed neighbor who removes any form of advertising from everyone's property.

Calls from owners whose interiors have been power washed, from Bentley owners whose autos have been spray painted, from seniors whose 20 year old plants disintegrated when the painter's helper tried to move them to a safe haven, from inhabitants whose doors have been painted shut are memorable.

Painters should love specifications because everything is written down. A painter who bids on a job that has no specifications is in deep water. Some specifications are not well-written: a common failing is the ambiguous dictum "paint to cover." Does that mean one or two coats? Does this mean avoid preparation? It is too vague. Good painters will call and seek clarification. Bad painters will take advantage of vague language to cover lightly and pad their profits.

Managers would do well to provide site maps along with specifications. A map is a powerful communication tool that can save estimators a lot of time when performing "take-offs," and when developing a strategy for the most economical way to attack the property including the placement of dumpsters and storage containers. These savings are real and will be passed on to the community in the form of a more competitive bid.

Finally, there is the attitude of communication. I remember when I was the Chairman of the Architectural Committee that we were quite successful dropping by an applicant's home on Saturday and suggesting that, as neighbors not experts, a lighter shade of green might be more suitable for the neighborhood and didn't they agree. This, as opposed to the turned-down owner desirous of employing chartreuse on his trim who came to an Architectural Committee meeting with 27 signatures of neighbors enthusiastically supporting his color choice, which had been applied several days before.

There is no substitute for good communication which inspired one American writer to proclaim: "I never met a man I didn't like."