About Us > F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions
Most Frequently Asked Questions
* "Why do people choose Gerst?"
Gerst does a quality job right the first time and every time. Our professional employees can be trusted in your home or business. We are insured and bonded. When you choose Gerst, you chose integrity.
* "I have a big project. Will I have to live with a mess while you are working?"
Great question, we get asked this all the time. Our staff takes extra care to cover and protect your furnishings, floors and all those things that are so important to you in your home. We clean up each evening before we leave the job site. We try to do two to three rooms at a time, finish them, and then go on to the next rooms in the house.
* "What if I need help selecting colors and materials for my painting projects?"
Gerst has an in-house color consultant that can help with many of your design questions and needs. We also work with certified architects and A.S.I.D. interior designers.
* "How far in advance should I contact Gerst about my project?"
The sooner the better. Some jobs require more planning than others and our staff is often scheduled weeks in advance. For painting and/or wallpapering projects, contact is needed 2 - 5 weeks in advance.
* "Are your employees bonded?"
We are bonded in accordance with the State of Nebraska Standards. Our insurance includes general business coverage with General Liability and Worker's Compensation policies. In fact, you'll find our contractor registration certificate on file with the Nebraska Workforce Development Department of Labor.
* "The last painter we hired would work for a few days, then be gone for a couple days. Always starting and stopping. Will you stay on the job once you begin?"
Yes. We'll stay with the project and work until your painting is completed. The same crew will work on your job from start to finish because we assign different crews to different jobs.
* "I've had bids before, and I get some prices that are high, low and all over the place. Why?"
The cost of a job is usually determined by the level of thoroughness, attention to detail, and quality desired. For example, it costs more to properly prepare a surface for painting than to give it the "quick once over." We would be happy to review, in detail, our calculations for your project so you can make a fair comparison with other bids. We will provide options based on your requirements.
* "What's the difference between a good paint job and a bad one?"
Preparation, preparation, preparation is the key to quality. A good paint job requires an extensive knowledge of different painting techniques and materials, and the skill and commitment to go with it. We do not cut corners. And finally, budgeting enough time to do the work properly.
* "What kind of painting supplies do you use?"
About 80% of the time we use the highest quality paint made by Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams. However, the brand of paint we use can be influenced by other factors including customer preference, the nature of the project, and other bid specifications. In addition to using the best paint, we use top-quality materials, tools and supplies from other companies like 3M (tape and masking supplies), Purdy (brushes), and Minwax (wood finishing stains).
* "Do you have references?"
Yes, our references are available upon request. The fact is that many of our new customers are referrals from our existing clients.
* "What other services do you offer?"
We offer a variety of services that compliment our painting and wallpapering projects. We partner with Architectural Blue Print Services, Certified A.S.I.D. Interior Design Professionals, and Color Consultants.
