Recent Blog Posts

Asking the right questions

Posted February 6, 2012

I was surfing around the net this week, having a look at some of the other painting blogs out there (yes, believe it or not, there are a fair number of these things!), and came across this one from Benjamin Moore called, Finding the Best Pro for the Job.

Now in reading the title, I have to admit, I hoped that Vanguard Painting would stack up against their high standards. As it turns out, I think we’re pretty close to what they recommend. But I’m bias, you be the judge…

Price vs Quality in the Winter Months

Posted November 23, 2011

It’s true what they say, if a company promises you the highest level of quality and service at the cheapest price and it seems too good to be true, well it probably is.

When we buy a Big Mac, we don’t get prime rib. When we buy a cheap car, we expect defects. If we pick a cheap hotel, well, you get the picture. Like virtually all things in business and life, we tend to get what we pay for – painting is no exception.

Filed under: interior, price, winter

Jobsite Foremen

Posted July 28, 2011

The right foreman is like a superhero on the jobsite, cleaning-up problems before they happen, catching the villains of peeling paint and rotting wood, and rescuing defenseless kittens from dangerous trees. (well, maybe not that last part, but you get the idea.)

What Does Primer Do?

Posted July 19, 2011

So we've covered the basics of preparation and why it’s essential for a quality paint job. But there's still a lot to learn about the four basic areas. This past week, for example, I had a long discussion with a client who was interested in primer, what exactly it is, and how it works. I though the topic would be a logical next post in this series, so here goes.

The Basics of Preparation

Posted July 13, 2011

In previous posts I talked about some common paint problems you’re likely to see around your home or property. Fixing these problems is one thing, but what about preventing them?

Common Paint Problems (Part II)

Posted July 4, 2011

Last week we covered a few common paint failures to look out for around your property. We were surprised by the email feedback we received from all of you who said you wished you'd known what to look for before the problems started. So today we'll cover a few more basic problems to finish off the list, and then next week I'll move on to how to address these issues, before they happen.

Common Paint Problems (Part I)

Posted June 27, 2011

Let's face it - Vancouver is wet! Being on the west coast exposes houses here to a particular brand of wet, damp weather that lasts for months on end. In light of this, every spring, building and home owners should do a brief 10-minute walk around their property to assess the condition of the building. A short walk today can catch many problems before they become major expenses.

Here’s a list of some common failures to lookout for:

Keeping Track

Posted June 19, 2011

One of the best innovations we have put in place at Vanguard in recent years is the use of an automated time and attendance system. Our guys clock in and out by cell phone or web, and their time worked is tracked to the minute.

Rain Days

Posted June 6, 2011

Vancouver is the best city in the world. But it rains. Those who’ve lived here longest usually come to hold a sort of reserved affinity for the weather - not minding it so much and, in our better moments, even enjoying it!

Filed under: projects

Substandard Subcontractors

Posted May 25, 2011

Vanguard Painting is proud of its heritage as a family run company. We work hard to extend a feeling of family and community all the way through the company from our most specialized master tradesmen, to our newest painters and helpers. We wouldn’t want it any other way. In the strange world of sub-contractors, however, things are a little different.

Filed under: family, price, safety, subcontractors