[jyl]

I am not a house painter but from stories I have heard from friends about house painting - be very specific on what prep and what paint will be done, get references for houses they have painted that way, go see those houses and talk to the owners. There is apparently a world of difference between a shlocky quickie job and a strip to bare wood, sand, fill, fix loose siding, prime, and detail paint job. And I have heard there are guys who are used to painting new construction now trying to do existing houses, since the new construction market has dried up, and not doing a good job. As a paint job can last 10 years, I think getting a good one is worth it, even if it means waiting a year.