Painting Tips: How to Hire A Painter
When it comes to painting tips, one of the most commonly pondered problems is ‘how to hire a painter’. For many people, hiring a professional painter (or any contractor really) can be quite a daunting task. If you’re not used to shortlisting tradesmen, then you may not even know where to begin. So, if you want to ensure that your paint job is professional, and finished to perfection, then follow our top ten painting tips on how to hire a painter.
1. Verify that the painter is licensed and insured.
Most states require that contractors have a license. In many states, the license number must be displayed on all advertising. Reputable painting contractors also carry liability insurance and workers compensation insurance, and are always more than happy to provide you with copies of their license and current insurance certificates.
2. Get a detailed estimate.
Schedule a time for prospective painting contractors to inspect the site and give you a proposal for the project. If you are obtaining multiple bids, make sure that all the contractors are quoting on the same specifications and on the same areas to be painted, using the same surface preparation techniques, number of coats, and specific products. You want to be sure that you are comparing apples with apples. If you’re not, then the lowest bid is often not the best value.
3. Ask for references.
All reputable painting contractors will have a list of references. So, ask for a list of references and make sure you contact a couple of them. Ask specific questions about the quality of the work and how the product has held up since the work was completed. Also ask about the professionalism of the painters in your home and the timeliness of completion.
4. Find out who will be working on your project.
In most professional painting companies, the owner or estimator who bids on your project will not be onsite while your project is completed. It is fair to ask about the crew who will be working at your home or business. Professional companies will have a trained foreman or crew leader onsite, and either have a project manager or the estimator with general oversight on the project. Reputable contractors have liability and workers compensation insurance for their employees and the best also obtain background checks before hiring any of their employees.
5. Get a written contract.
Having a written contract is always a good policy when it comes to any kind of construction work— it protects both parties. The contract should detail the scope of work for the project, including what surfaces are to be painted, what surface preparation is included, and may also detail what is not included. The total price of the project and payment schedules should be spelled out too.
6. Look for warranties.
Many (but not all) professional painting contractors offer a warranty on their work. Before any work commences on your painting project, ensure that you are aware of what the warranty covers, and that you are happy with the warranty terms. At a minimum, you will want to have a warranty on the products used in your project.
7. Safety first!
Professional painting contractors have safety policies and training in place to ensure that their employees are protected when dealing with equipment and hazardous waste and solvents. Professional painting contractors also will provide EPA information to clients and take adequate safety measures when dealing with pre-1978 structures that may involve exposure to lead based paint during preparation
8. Remember that communication is a two way street.
Are the contractor and his office easy to contact? Do they respond in a timely manner? On your side, make sure to respond to the contractor promptly with what he may need from you to ensure the timely completion of the project. For example, return contracts and colour selections promptly, comply with requests for pre-project preparation and, of course pay on time.
9. Look for professional affiliations.
Is the contractor a member of the Master Painters Association or Mast Builders Association? Do they hold any other accreditations, such as Dulux Accreditation?You can easily verify these affiliations with the associations themselves, but do look for the evidence of association logos on the contractor’s vehicles, website or paperwork. Memberships in these organisations indicate that the contractor has a commitment to professionalism, education and community.
10. Trust your instincts.
Do you feel comfortable with the contractor? Do you like their approach and how they show up? Are they clean, presentable and respectful? Many painting projects take time – is this the type of company that you want in your home for an extended period of days or weeks?
If you need any painting tips, or any further information on how to hire or painter, feel free to contact the experts at Timeframe Group today. We’re always happy to help.