Hiring a painting contractor is an important task, especially if you don’t have the time or expertise to do it yourself. You need to hire someone who is reliable, professional and will do a great job. If you know what to look for, you can make sure that your painting project is completed on time and without problems.
1. Painters Should Protect Your Property
If you own furniture or other valuables, you need a painting pro who will take care of them. Some companies will put tarps over them or move them out of the way so that they don’t get damaged. It’s also a good idea to ask about their experience with protecting furniture and other valuables while they work on your home.
2. Checking References and Qualifications
Before you hire a painting pro, make sure that they have all the qualifications required by your state. They should be licensed in your area, insured and have a strong reputation with previous clients. You should also see if they have any pictures of past work they’ve done and/or customer testimonials or references from satisfied customers.
3. Getting an Estimate
Before hiring any painting company, it’s a good idea to have them come out and give you an estimate. This can be either a rough quote or a detailed one with costs broken out. The type of quote that you get will depend on the size of your project, what materials are being used and if there are any prep or other projects that need to be taken care of before they begin.
4. Choosing the Right Colors and Finishes
When it comes to paint, it’s important that you select colors that will complement your home and your lifestyle. It’s also essential that you choose a quality paint product, as cheaper products will likely fade and chip quickly, leaving you with an uneven finish.
5. Prep Work
Before any paint is applied, a contractor should go through all the areas that will be painted and make sure that they are clean and ready to receive the new coat. This includes cleaning up, sanding, scraping and taping off any loose or flaking paint. It’s also a good idea for them to remove any electrical plates, lights or doors that might be in the way.
6. Having a Written Contract
Once you’ve chosen a contractor, it’s important to have a contract in place to outline the scope of work and how they will be paid. This will prevent any miscommunications or surprises later on.
7. Being a member of an accreditation body
If you want to make sure that the painting contractor you’re considering is legitimate, try checking them out by visiting their website or calling them directly to see if they are a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or other local trade groups. These organizations require yearly fees and they are meant to protect consumers from rogue contractors.
Some painting contractors have found ways to dupe their customers by claiming that they’re members of an accreditation body or local trade group. This is usually done by making up a fake organization or putting the stamp of an accredited group on their website, business cards or pamphlets.