Our company was formed in 1975 as a plumbing company operating under the name Fred Derby & Son Plumbing. Although we started in the Coopersburg area, we began branching out into other parts of the Lehigh Valley and were soon well known in the area. As the housing boom of the 1980′s hit the Valley, we began to expand the scope of our work to building and renovating homes, which was a perfect addition to the plumbing business. We purchased several tracts of land to develop. With the opening of I78, the commercial growth in the Valley greatly expanded, and the company was fortunate to be a part of it.
By 1988 this growth was large enough that we incorporated the company in the state of Pennsylvania as Coopersburg Construction Corporation, with Fred W. Derby as President. As the 1980′s turned to the 1990′s, the company’s further growth pointed to two things: a painting company and a new name for the plumbing company. Thus was born the two divisions of Coopersburg Construction – Coopersburg Painting & Paperhanging and Coopersburg Plumbing Co. Today the company has 20 plus employees and a fleet of 24 silver trucks proudly sporting the CCC logo in burgundy and black. We are proud of our past, and hope never to forget the lessons learned from it. Every year we look forward to new challenges ahead.
You may be an enthusiastic DIY’er, but perhaps the type of painting or the finish is something that you may not want to tackle. After all, painting may be fun, but preparing the surface can be a very time consuming process, not to mention dangerous if high ceilings or roofs are involved. If time is more important to you than money, hiring a professional painter may be a smart investment. In making your decision, there are a few things that you should remember about painting.
Is a skilled trade that requires training and appropriate tools – Professional painters know how to properly prepare the surface, which paints to use in each situation and how to get the job done quickly with minimal disruption. Professional painters also have all the tools required to achieve a quality finish.
Can be dangerous and/or hazardous – Working on ladders and dealing with solvents and dusts can be hazardous. Older houses may be coated in poisonous lead paints. Professional painters know how to handle these dangerous situations and substances and minimize the risks. They also have the appropriate safety equipment to keep you and your family and themselves safe.
Requires cleanup and disposal – Professional painters will take care of these tasks on your behalf as part of their service. If you do decide to hire a professional here are some tips to help you choose…
Hiring a professional painter to paint your home is not a decision to take lightly. While anybody can slap paint onto your walls, it takes considerable expertise and experience to get a truly high quality finish. Talk to a professional to understand if they are the right person for the job and ask for references.
There are many reasons to hire a professional painter for your home or business. Below are tips on hiring professional painters:
If possible, hire professionals who have been recommended to you personally. Ask around to find customers who were happy with their results and happy with the overall work experience.
Organize a visual reference of what you like from magazines, brochures, or online. You don’t go to a hairstylist without pictures of the hairstyle you want, right? Be prepared so you can convey your vision to the professional.
Some painters may ask to come to your house for a fee, but don’t assume until you know for sure. Otherwise, setup appointment for the painter to visit you or for you to meet them in their office to discuss a potential arrangement.
Whether you are considering hiring an interior painter for standard paint jobs, or a decorative painter for elaborate finishes, be sure to see pictures of his or her previous work. Any professional painter should have a portfolio ready to show.
Be sure that you have discussed all of the following: what paint type will be used, what paint finish will used in what areas, if trim and/or moldings are included in the job, and other details. (Note: If you are hiring professional painters, we strongly recommend going with alkyd paint. While latex paint is an excellent choice for any do-it-yourself job, any good professional painter is comfortable with alkyd and he or she knows that the overall quality is superior. Get your money’s worth and go for the best! Also request that caulking be applied as seams around the baseboard and trim – a true professional touch!)
If the painters are bringing their own paints, nothing should be ordered until you approve it. Once materials are ordered, don’t change your mind unless you are prepared to pay for it. Most likely, you will save money by picking up your own paints at the paint or hardware store. Just make sure to find out how much paint they need you to have on hand.
Before any work begins, go over all costs and make sure there are no questions. Be sure you understand how any and all extra costs outside of your agreement would be determined.
Follow your gut instinct. If there is something about the painter(s) that doesn’t feel “right”, stop and ask questions. Don’t tolerate someone who is late to appointments, discourteous or condescending. Also, don’t commit to a painter who is out of your budget.
Have your agreed-upon fees be put in writing in a letter of agreement or a contract. The painter should draw up this letter or contract containing a thorough outline of the work to be done, the costs, the work schedule, and the payment schedule.
Expect to make allowances for unforeseen problems, both regarding time and fees. It’s impossible to know what may happen during the duration of a paint job. For this reason, it’s important that you are working with someone who is trustworthy and who will not take advantage.
