The Case for Prep-Coat and Custom Color Options
Prep-coat is recommended by the manufacturer and should be used on all walls and ceilings
Alta offers the builder the option of prep-coat and we provide pricing on all current proposals. Why prep-coat? Drywall face-paper continues to evolve with recycled paper being increasingly used. Drywall mud has also experienced an evolution away from harmful additives such as asbestos and other toxins that cause irritation the skin or harm the environment. With these changes the two products have become less compatible, mainly because the absorption rates of both products constantly change. This results in everything from very minor photographing of ceiling joints, to widespread major photographing of face-paper, to mud variation. Certain lighting conditions also accentuate this problem. Prep coat solves and avoids these issues by creating a surface upon which texture dries evenly. As numerous problems have recently surfaced this becomes a matter of growing concern. Builders as well as drywall contractors who have not opted to use prep coat have in some cases suffered major losses of both time and money, as dealing with these problems after the fact is costly.
In some cases builders prefer to take the risk and fail to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. However an increasing number of national and local builders are incorporating the application of prep-coat to all or portions of every residence they construct.
If the builder opts not to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation, Alta cannot be held responsible for problems arising from the failure to do so. The question is, does the builder want to eliminate every single trace of variation from face-paper to mud and is it worth the cost. This is the very reason prep-coat was developed. It is an insurance policy that guarantees that variation will not be an issue. Neither manufacturers nor drywall contractors want to be held to a standard of zero variation without applying prep-coat. Quite simply, that standard cannot be achieved without prep-coat and prep-coat costs money.
If zero variation from face-paper to mud is desired, or the customer prefers a guarantee, then we should be pre-coating all areas. Waiting until we have a problem and taking the re-active approach and repairing the problems simply isn’t a good idea. We strongly recommend adopting a pro-active approach and applying prep-coat. Otherwise we are merely chasing the problem and never truly solving it.
Custom Color Options
Certain colors accentuate imperfections which are not normally visible when painted with standard (off white) colors. Alta recommends that customers add us to the custom color option list for both notification and compensation. In the past, we have been blind-sided by the use of these colors and in some cases back-charged for issues resulting from their selection. When the walls are painted with colors other than a standard off-white and the aforementioned imperfections become visible, we are requested to return and correct the defects. Once the defects are corrected, the painter returns and in some cases, the patches cannot be touched up and match, so then, it requires that the walls be completely repainted. The repainting of the walls costs money and the painter wants to be paid. On the surface, it seems reasonable to bill Alta. However, in truth, since the color accentuates the defects and the defects would not be visible with a standard color, it is unfair to hold Alta responsible. In our view, the correct approach is to prevent the problem by notifying us prior to paint, where the custom colors are intended and compensating us as a part of the option pricing. If we are notified in advance, we will carefully check the walls with artificial light and be certain prior to paint that the color will not be an issue. It stands to reason that we would be compensated for the extra work involved in providing the option. Alta cannot be held responsible for finish when owners elect to use custom colors outside of this agreement.
In order to be certain that we do not experience the potential problems associated with the custom color option, we take the following steps. We walk the house carefully to identify any variation or waviness in horizontal angles. Doing so avoids the accentuation of such variation by the intersection of the two colors. In addition, we also caulk the same angles in order to provide the cleanest possible break between the two colors. Next we walk the entire house with artificial lighting in order to flush out any imperfections which will be a problem due to the particular color. We also mask the windows and any other surface necessary to protect from overspray of prep-coat. Finally, we spray prep-coat throughout as recommended by the manufacturer. All of the extra work and materials needed are included in our custom color option pricing and paid for by the customer selecting the option.
The additional materials and labor can add substantial cost. In some cases this becomes a deterrent to the homeowner purchasing the option and homeowners believe that they can do the painting direct by themselves and or have it done by others for less. We recommend that the builder caution the buyer that the walls will not be prepared to accept any colors other than standard off-white. The disclaimer also should include that neither the builder nor the drywall contractor warranty imperfections which become apparent due to the use of custom colors. Otherwise sometimes after the fact the builder or the drywall contractor may be caught up in a dispute regarding imperfections which surface after occupancy and the homeowners’ selection and use of custom colors.
Although some drywall contractors are not making this pro-active move and notifying their customers, it is clear that they are merely operating behind the curve and exposed to considerable risk. The list of our customers and those drywall contractors doing good business by keeping pace with this developing trend continues to grow. We strongly recommend that all of our customers adopt this change. It is our best insurance and protection for the inconvenience and expense which can result from the failure to take a pro-active approach.
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