Questions You Should Ask Your Painting Contractor Before Hiring

You’ve decided on your budget and your color scheme. Now all you need is the right painting contractor and you’re ready to roll. So, how do you decide which contractor is best for the job you need done? You can call good old Uncle Bob and ask him, but you remember how that last project went, don’t you? This time, why not do it the right way? The best way to choose a quality painting contractor is to ask some key questions before anyone picks up a brush. Here are some ideas for questions for your painting contractor of things you need to know about any prospective painter.

Start at the Beginning

The first question to ask a potential painting contractor is how long they have been in business. Of course, a start-up company could also do a great job, but experience speaks loudly in the painting business. Experienced painting contractors know their products, equipment, and how to handle any type of wall surface or defect you might have.

An experienced contractor also knows how to treat the customer. Effective communication, respect, and attentiveness are qualities that make the difference between a decent painter and a great one. An experienced contractor will also have a reputation in the community they serve. When a business develops a good reputation and maintains it for five or ten years and more, you can trust them. When you find a great painting company, the whole experience will go better.

Does Your Painting Contractor Do the Job?

Before you sign on the dotted line, find out if your contractor does the work with his own team or if he subcontracts it out to someone else. Be particularly wary if a bid comes in significantly lower than others. This could mean the painting is shipped out to unskilled, untrained people. When you have workers coming into your home or business, you need to know they are trustworthy. When you hire a painting contractor, make sure they do their own work.

Is the Painting Crew Licensed and Bonded?

It’s important to choose a contractor who is both licensed and bonded. The license means they are qualified to operate as a business and have all their legal ducks in a row. The bond means if there is a problem, like an injury or an accident, it won’t wind up costing your homeowner’s or business insurance. Instead, the surety bond will cover it. When a company carries insurance, it protects them from loss. When they are bonded, it protects you.

What About a Warranty?

A reputable painting contractor wants you to be happy with the job when it is finished. They also want you to remain happy with your paint job for a reasonable amount of time. They won’t be afraid to stand behind their work and offer you some type of guarantee.

A good painting warranty should protect against things like blistering, chipping and peeling paint. Your paint is going to be exposed to the elements. With exterior jobs, the weather can wreak havoc on your paint. On the inside, peeling or chipping paint is not only unsightly, but it can also be dangerous to your health. Don’t settle for a warranty that is less than three years. Preferably, you can find one that lasts even longer. You may pay a little more upfront for a long warranty, but you’ll save that money by extending the time before the job needs to be done again.

How About References?

One of the best ways to know what kind of work you can expect from your painting company is through the references of their former clients. Check out their references. Look at how many they have. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Look on Yelp or other social media platforms for reviews. Ask about a photo gallery. Ideally, you’ll find a variety of high-resolution photos that aren’t afraid to show the details. Check out corners and areas where paint changes from one color to another. Look to see if the finish appears even across the wall. If a painter doesn’t have photos of their work, there might be a reason for that. Check things out for yourself and make sure prior customers are happy with the work they have had done.

How Do They Start and Finish the Job?

Every paint job should start with good prep work. If the surface isn’t properly cleaned and prepped for paint, you’ll wind up with chips and peeling paint. Every paint job should end with the painting crew cleaning up their mess and leaving your personal space free of debris. Starting a job right and ending it well are two very important parts of the work.

Asking these questions will give you a better idea of what kind of work you can expect from a painting contractor. At Nevada Painting Company, we’re happy to answer all your questions. Contact us today to set up a time for a quote. You’ll appreciate our work and our team.