College house painters

[msmama]

Anybody ever used one?

I've seen lots of signs for the company/companies (I'm in a college town) and someone came to my house last week and are coming to do a free estimate next weekend.

The guy (kid) gave me a packet of information that is obviously all good stuff. I'm looking for the bad.

Are their estimates in line with other companies? How about the quality?

Anything specific I should ask?

Blizzards and hurricanes have done some serious damage to my already needed painting house and I like the idea of not calling around, lol!!

 

[rebeccalb10]

I've personally never done this but I've been told that they don't do a good job and that you basically need a repaint the next year.

If that is true this is a great money maker for someone.

 

[My sister's princess]

Knowing some of their student "managers" from my area, I would not let them near my house.

 

[ceecee]

We used them once and it was not a good experience. It didn't last and it was sloppy. Hire a professional.

 

[clh2]

I have heard their quotes are much more than professionals quotes would be. I do not know anyone who has actually used them.

 

[Judyat]

The big question to ask is are they insured? If not I wouldn't take a chance. The only exception might be if your house is only 1 story. Alot of painters college students or not may be able to offer good prices but if they are not insured I wouldn't take the chance.

 

[disneymomto5]

I never used them but did get a quote one time they were a lot higher than a professional painter, which I ended up hiring.

 

[bigmamimia]

I wouldn't do it. I made the mistake of hiring some high school kids to paint the inside of my house. Paint on all the carpets, ceilings, trim, windows. I know it's not exactly the same but every time I see the mistakes I think I should have hired a professional.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I am just picturing my college age son and his friend painting my house.....not a pretty sight

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I would stay clear of the college painters. Several of my neighbors have used companies that hire the college painters and they have all had nothing but problems. Peeling, bubbling paint within months. Rotting boards were not replaced. Poor (if any) caulking. Splashed paint on windows, walkways, light fixtures, etc.

 

[I Love Pluto]

We had a positive experience several years ago with paint & college students. They painted our entire house inside, were extremely neat, cleaned up everything each day - and they did a great job! We saved a lot of money, they each made some money, all were happy!

They returned last year to build shelves in our garage & paint the floor. Again - they did a good job. They were really nice kids!

 

[mrsaunders]

I used college pro and had a positive experience

 

[princess barbara]

We live in Northern New England and used College Pro painters. It was a terrible experience. They used a different shade of green on the trim and after they had done about a third of it, I asked why they didn't give me the color I asked for. The guy insisted it was the color I ordered. I looked at the name on the paint can and it wasn't the one I ordered. It turns out it was close to the same color but he had it left over from another job.

They made a mess, had to call and ask them to take their ladders down the first night as we have tons of little kids in and around the neighborhood. Was told they would start in Aug and be done by Labor Day. I didn't see them until after Columbus Day and by then they had been back to school so they had some old guys painting for them -they were obviously not experienced as I watched their cigarette ashes land in the paint bucket and they smoked and painted- once again lots of little ones around. Also lots of ciggie butts left in yard. Finished up in November and there was frost every night. Paint started peeling less than 2 years later later. I contacted the guy I originally hired and he had folded his business. Never again.

 

[katie111]

My husband did this job in college. He says that he would never hire them & can't believe anyone actually hired them when he did it. He is very responsible, always showed up on time, etc, but he is one of the least handy persons on earth. The says the other guys in his crew were often late, hungover, exhausted from the night before, etc. and very few of them had any idea of what they were doing.