How to Pick the Best Painting Contractors – 7 Questions You Must Ask
When it comes to home improvement projects, painting is one of the most popular ones. It’s affordable, and a super simple way to add new life to a room. And while there is likely no shortage of painting services in your area, not all contractors will be worth your time and money.
With that being said, here are 7 questions you must ask before hiring a painting services contractor.
How Long Have They Been In The Painting Services Business?
Painting is a trade that has a very high turnover rate. For the best possible experience you should hire someone who has been in business for a minimum of 3 years.
Do They Have Employees, or Work With Subcontractors?
If a painter has direct employees, meaning those individuals receive a paycheck from the painters company, that means they should be covered by the contractor’s general liability insurance, as well as workers’ compensation.
If they are subcontractors they will need to have their own insurance. Either way, make sure you get a copy of proof of insurance for both the painting contractor, and any subcontractors that are being used.
Are They Properly Licensed?
Most states will require a painting contractor to have a state issued license. You want to make sure you work with a contractor who has all required licensing. You should also make sure they have all required insurance coverage.
A reputable contractor will have no problem showing you documents as proof of their proper licensing.
How Do They Prepare?
Before hiring a contractor, ask them what kind of preparation work do they do? This may sound a little silly, but a contractor’s preparation work will tell you all you need to know about the overall quality of their work.
A good contractor will never skimp on the preparation work. They will ensure the job is done the right way from beginning to end.
What Is The Cost For Painting Services?
For most people, price is usually the biggest concern. While you don’t want to overspend, you also shouldn’t look for the cheapest painter in town. Unless of course they are one of the best in town.
You want a contractor that is skilled, experienced, properly licensed, properly insured, and yes, affordable.
Is There a Guarantee?
A reputable contractor will always offer a guarantee on their work. Be sure you fully understand all guarantees and terms before hiring a contractor. You should also get everything in writing so you can protect yourself in the event something goes wrong.
Do They Have References?
Again, a reputable painting contractor will have references. They will also be happy to share the references with you. And please, don’t just take the references and do nothing with them. Take the time to reach out to a few and find out what type of experience they had with the contractor in question.
One Final Tip on Painting Services
Always get more than one bid. The general recommendation is that you get at least 3. You should ask each contractor the same exact questions. Each bid should take no longer than a week to receive. If it takes too long to receive a bid, you should disregard it. One professional painting contractor you should contact for a bid is South Shore Painting Contractors.
Once you have received the bids, take the time to carefully review each one. Look at the prep times, materials being used, cost, and proof of all needed documentation.
Before making your final decision, take a few minutes to call a few references. Use those discussions to make your final decision.
Once you know who you want to work with, you can call and award them the project. Make sure all of your expectations are known upfront. This way you can avoid paying for something you didn’t want. If you’re looking for ideas to make your home stand out more, see our window cleaning post.