7 Things to Look for When Hiring a Painting Contractor

Are you looking to hire a painting contractor for your home or commercial building but aren't sure who to choose?

A painting contractor can help make your property look its best. But finding the right painting contractor takes some research. What do you need to look for? What qualifications should the painting contractor possess?

Check out this guide to discover what to look for when hiring a painting contractor.

1. Consider the Scope of Your Project

First things first, you need to consider the scope of your painting project. Are you painting residential property or a commercial building? Are you painting just one room, or are you painting the entire property? Are you painting the exterior or the interior of your building?

Once you understand the scope of your project, start looking for painting contractors who have completed projects similar to yours. Ask to see their portfolios so you can get an idea of what the finished project will look like.

And, don't hire a factory painting contractor unless they've done something similar to what you're looking for. A painting contractor with years of experience in the commercial industry won't do you any good if you're looking to paint your residential property.

2. Check Their Insurance

Before hiring a painting contractor, you also need to check for insurance. A painting contractor should possess two types of insurance: general liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance.

General liability insurance, also known as comprehensive business liability insurance, protects your property should the contractor damage it. Look for a painting contractor that has at least a million-dollar limit on their general liability insurance.

Worker's compensation insurance protects you in the event that someone gets injured while working on your property. It's not uncommon for painting contractors to hire subcontractors to help them complete the job, especially if the scope of the painting project is large.

While there's nothing wrong with hiring subcontractors, make sure that each subcontractor who steps on your property is covered by the main painting contractor's insurance. If someone isn't covered and gets injured or causes damage, you could end up footing the bill.

Ask to see copies of the insurance paperwork so you know exactly what's covered and who to contact should something go wrong.

3. Ask for References

A reputable painting contractor will have a long list of references for you to call. Take the time to call each reference and ask them about their experience. Here are some questions you can ask the references:

• Did the painting contractor finish their work on time?
• How well did they communicate throughout the project?
• Did the project turn out the way you wanted it to?
• Were there any obstacles along the way? If so, how did the painting contractor deal with them?
• How well is the painting job holding up?
• Did the painting contractor conduct themself in a courteous and professional manner?
• Would you recommend this painting contractor to a friend or family member?

References can really give you the inside scoop on the pros and cons of a particular painting contractor, so make sure you come to the conversation with a list of questions.

4. Ask About Materials

Before you hire a painting contractor, you should ask about the materials they plan on using to paint your home. A quality paint job should last at least ten years if the contractor uses the right materials and you do your part to take care of your walls.

In addition to quality paints, there are a number of specialized coatings that can make a huge difference in the quality of the paint job. Once you know the brands the painting contractor uses, take some time to Google them and check out reviews.

Obviously, the more expensive the brand, the more the painting job will cost. However, because paint lasts for such a long time, splurging on more expensive materials is worth it.

5. Ask About Their Schedule

It's very important that you find a painting contractor who can work around your schedule. While most painting contractors work 9-5 hours, some also have night and weekend availability.

Also, keep in mind that it can be difficult for painting contractors to get their work done if there are kids and pets running around the house. You'll also need to stay out of the freshly-painted rooms to give your walls time to dry.

Speak with the painting contractor about their schedule to figure out a time that works best for your family.

6. Look at Their Web Presence

The painting contractor you hire should also have a strong web presence. The last thing you want is to hire a painting contractor who suddenly disappears halfway through the job with your money in tow.

A website is an assurance that the painting contractor isn't operating a scam business. Look at the painting contractor's website and make sure it features contact information, their physical business address, their list of services, and a portfolio of finished work.

7. Read the Contract Carefully

Before a painting contractor starts working on your property, they'll ask you to sign a contract. It's very important that you read this contract carefully, as it'll include information about the project deadline, warranty, and materials used.

It should also clearly state the contractor's refund policy.

Are You Ready to Hire a Painting Contractor?

With these tips in mind, you should be ready to hire a painting contractor. Finding the right painting contractor can take some time, but it's well worth the effort.

Check back in with our blog for more tips and tricks on hiring contractors for your property.