When it comes to investing to upgrade your house with a fresh coat of paint, all painting contractors are not made equal. Your home is one of your most prized possessions and it’s important that your paint job (whether it be interior or exterior) is done with the highest level of craftsmanship. Choosing a painting contractor shouldn’t feel like high-stakes gambling and should be a decision you make confident that the contractor you select will get the job done – right, the first time. Before you take the painting plunge and hire a painting contractor, here’s three questions to ask:
Are you licensed and insured?
If you’re going with a professional you want to ensure that they are properly trained and have the appropriate level of insurance to cover not just their work, but also cover any damage they may cause to your house. Reputable painting contractors will be happy to show you their licenses and certifications as well as the letter of insurance coverage. If they don’t, ask for these items upfront so you can rest assured that you are working with someone who has the right level of expertise for the job.
What is included in the scope of work?
What you think may be included in the cost, may not actually be part of what the painting contractor offers without charging an extra fee. For example, most painting contractors will include any necessary prep work needed to start the paint job (like applying painting tape to corners or trim). However, moving pictures off the walls or removing wallpaper may come at an additional charge. To be clear, be sure to ask for a written scope of work and inquire about what is and is not included.
Good to Know
Asking the right questions and properly vetting the painting contractor you choose will help you find the right contractor the first time.
When will the job be completed?
Your home is your sanctuary and by hiring a painting contractor you are inviting them into this space. You don’t want a painting job to drag on for days or worse, weeks! A simple painting job can be completed in a few hours. Just to make sure everyone is on the same page with the same level of expectations, get a specific start and end date from your painting contractor, so you are aware of the time commitment to complete the job. Often, contractors may take on three or four jobs at one time and you want to be clear that your job will be completed on time, once it is started.
Conclusion
Other items such as asking for references and reviewing work portfolios are additional things you can do to ensure that you select a reputable painting contractor. If at any point a painting contractor becomes hesitant to answer your questions, that’s a major red flag that it’s time to consider going elsewhere. However, if you do your due diligence upfront, ask the right questions, and properly vet the painting contractor you choose, you will likely be treated to a smooth and complication-free painting experience.