HOW TO HIRE PAINTERS & QUESTIONS TO ASK

A Comprehensive Guide to finding the right painting contractor

HOW TO FIND A RELIABLE PAINTING SERVICE

One of the best and easiest ways is to ask your friends and family for a referral to a professional painter in the area. If you are brand new to the area then it’s a good idea to ask your neighbors for some names.

Any painter you hire should have their license number or certification present (1) on their written estimate. It’s also important to make sure that whomever you choose is insured - as damage to your property or to his team may leave you liable.

SERVICES PAINTERS OFFER:

Make sure you walk around your home and detail every single place that requires paint for your job. There are certain types of painting jobs that the majority of painters will not cover or don’t have much experience with. Ideally you can find someone who can do it all in one fell swoop but that is not always the case. For instance, exterior house painters often use their sprayer on wood, metal, brick, stone and stucco exteriors.

Interior painters specialize in the interior walls or trim, texture painting, faux finishes, cabinet painting, or painting a fireplace. Jobs where it requires more minute attention to detail and paint in the all the cracks and places as opposed ot big spraying blow-out jobs. 

HOW TO HIRE A HOUSE PAINTER



1. Know the costs beforehand. Don’t be fooled by a super high or a super low cost. You may be leaving yourself open to vulnerabilities from those less honest. 
2. Collect a couple bids from onsite estimates - make sure everything is written down and spelled out. This includes prep, paint, and cleanup including all materials. They should have accurate measurements included and the case of any discrepancies should be discussed beforehand. 
3. Compare the quotes, look at past work if possible, talk to references. Make sure everything is included in the one you chose. 
4. Sign a contract with your pro. A contract protects both of you and is very important for the job. The down payment is typically between 25-50% of the job to cover materials. It is not common to pay for the whole project upfront and we wouldn’t recommend it. 



WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A PAINTING CONSULTATION AND ESTIMATE

Estimates can look different from company to company but there are a couple things that are stable to every business.

1. The estimator should do a full walkthrough of every single area that he is going to work on. If he walks one side of the exterior and doubles it you are likely in for trouble. Prep work (sanding, filling, priming) can look radically different in one spot to the next depending on a variety of factors and everyone should be curious to see exactly what it happening to those materials before churning out a quote. 

2. Color consultation is a usual part of a quote. A painter may have a different opinion than you when it comes to what paint should go there. Many contractors will offer a couple test paints for you. While they have a suggestions for you it is never their choice on what you end up choosing. Light paints covering darker paints may require a lot of coats which will increase your cost. 

3. A written quote. These are not always 100% exact depending if the contractor makes his quote on an hourly rate or as a flat rate quote. There is nothing inherently wrong with either type of quote but it’s important to get one that you feel comfortable signing. You won’t always get a quote while the estimator is onsite - some prefer to take it home first. This does not make them less professional but is common in the industry. 

WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK THE PAINTER?



1. How long have you been in business? A company that’s been around for longer usually (but not always) delivers higher quality work. 
2. Are you licensed and insured? This keeps you protected and shows you which businesses are protecting their customers. 
3. Do you belong to any professional organizations? Organizations that invest in themselves will work at having good referrals and a good reputation. 
4. How long will the job take?  Good for you to know - especially if it’s in writing.
5. Do you guarantee your work? Everybody should guarantee their work. If not it suggests they may be comfortable cutting corners to get a quick paycheck and then disappear. Bad prepwork rarely will make paint peel before you pay the remaining balance. 
6. What type of paint do you use? How long is it rated to last? There is a huge market and high quality paint will last longer. Knowing what they use and where will tell you a lot. 
7. How many people are in your crew? 
8. Can you provide a written estimate and contract? Everything should be in writing. If they avoid putting it in writing then you should avoid them. 

DIY VS. HIRING A PROFESSIONAL PAINTER



A lot of interior painting is a doable weekend project, especially when you have the creative juices really flowing (2). The prep work in terms of preparing the wall is lighter. You may want to go extra hard to buy plastic and coverings for your house with the money you save from not hiring a contractor but it is very doable to paint your own interior.

Exterior work is where surfaces really take a beating and it can be a painful DIY project. I talked to a homeowner who quit halfway after sanding ½ his fascia board with a hand sander from a tall ladder. It’s an awkward job that requires special gear and often doesn’t come out as good or as fast as hiring a professional. Leave exterior house painting to a company that specializes in it like Integrity Painting. 

References:

Painting Contractors Association: https://www.pcapainted.org/
Homesthetics - Top 31 amazing diy paintings for your blank wall https://homesthetics.net/top-31-amazing-diy-paintings-for-your-blank-walls/