Take the time to find the right painter - it's worth the effort!
When you are in the market to hire a painter, where do you start? Finding the right painter should involve a bid process with at least three different companies. Not every painter is appropriate for every job, and you want to make sure you find the right one for the project at hand.
- An up-to-date contractor’s license
- Proof of insurance
- References
You’ll also want to learn:
- How long have they been in business?
- How do they price their work? Some bid by the project, others charge time and materials.
- What is the payment schedule?
- Who is going to be working on your project?
- How long will it take?
- What quality of paint do they plan to use? Labor costs stay the same regardless, but the quality of the paint can make a big difference in the lifespan of the job.
10. Does the painter focus more on residential or commercial work? You do not want to hire a ‘blow-and-go’ painter or someone who does not understand the requirements of residential painting.
When you receive you bid:
11. It should include all the steps they are planning for prepping, priming, painting and clean-up. Everything should be clearly defined in the bid.
12. Compare apples to apples. When reviewing a number of bids make sure you understand the scope of work defined in each bid – don’t hesitate to ask questions!
Execute a contract:
13. You contract should include the scope of work, total anticipated cost, payment schedule, start date and estimated end date. It should also call out each paint color, sheen and brand – specifying location of each color and sheen, plus the number of coats. Don’t forget to specify clean-up responsibilities and guarantees on work. Finally, your contract should define what the steps are if there are any changes to the bid.
