21 Questions to Ask a Commercial Paint Contractor (Before You Hire)
Posted on September 29, 2025
Hiring a painter for an occupied office, warehouse, plant, school, church, or restaurant isn’t like repainting a spare bedroom. You’re balancing safety, schedule, brand standards, and budget often with people working (or worshiping, learning, dining) nearby. Use these questions to separate professionals from guesswork and set your project up for a smooth, predictable finish.
Company, Licensing & Safety
1: Are you licensed for commercial work in GA/SC and fully insured?
Why it matters: Protects you from liability and ensures compliance.
What good looks like: Certificate of Insurance on request (General Liability and Workers’ Compensation), active commercial license numbers, and bonded where required.
2: Can you please share your written safety plan and training documents (OSHA, fall protection, and lift certification)?
Why it matters: Fewer incidents and delays.
What good looks like: Site‑specific Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), weekly toolbox talks, lift/fall PPE logs, SDS access procedures.
3. Do you perform background checks and badging for occupied/secure sites?
Why it matters: Essential for schools, healthcare, and corporate campuses.
What good looks like: Documented screening process, badge compliance, escort procedures, sign‑in log.
Relevant Experience & References
4. What similar projects have you completed?
Why it matters: Demonstrates relevant scale and complexity.
What good looks like: Short case studies listing square footage, hours, substrates, access conditions, and outcomes.
5. Can we speak to two recent references?
Why it matters: Verifies performance not just promises.
What good looks like: Contact information for decision-makers.
6. Who does the work, employees or subcontractors? Who is the on-site foreman?
Why it matters: Clarifies accountability.
What good looks like: Named foreman, typical crew size, disclosure of subcontractors and their scopes.
Scope, Prep & Repairs
7. What exactly is included/excluded in your scope?
Why it matters: Prevents change‑order surprises.
What good looks like: Written inclusions/exclusions, surfaces and areas by room/elevation, and access notes.
8. How will you prepare each substrate?
Why it matters: Preparation drives longevity and appearance.
What good looks like: Defined cleaning/degreasing, scraping, patching, sanding, rust treatment, caulking, and priming where needed.
9. How will you handle incidental repairs?
Why it matters: Small fixes can stall schedules.
What good looks like: Unit pricing (T&M) for carpentry/drywall or a reasonable allowance baked into the bid.
Products, Finishes & Environmental
10. What coating system are you specifying for each surface and why?
Why it matters: The right product for the right exposure.
What good looks like: Product Data Sheets (PDS) per substrate; rationale tied to moisture, traffic, UV, or chemical exposure.
11. Will you use low- or zero-VOC or odor-mitigating products where needed?
Why it matters: Faster re‑occupancy and better comfort.
What good looks like: Low‑VOC acrylics/epoxies, odor plan, antimicrobial additives where appropriate.
12. Can you provide color drawdowns/mockups and handle brand color matching?
Why it matters: Prevents color regret and protects brand standards.
What good looks like: Physical drawdowns or sample walls, documented approvals, brand PMS/RGB/CMYK matching notes.
Schedule, Phasing & Downtime
13. What is the phasing plan and work hours (nights/weekends/holidays)?
Why it matters: Minimizes disruption to operations.
What good looks like: Sequenced plan, swing spaces, occupancy plan by area, after‑hours access confirmed.
14. How do you handle weather delays or access constraints?
Why it matters: Keeps expectations realistic.
What good looks like: Built‑in float, clear communication protocol for shifts, rescheduling hierarchy.
Site Logistics & Protection
15. How will you protect adjacent finishes, inventory, furniture, and equipment?
Why it matters: Avoids collateral damage and cleanup costs.
What good looks like: Full containment/masking, floor protection, equipment draping, and daily housekeeping checklists.
16. What is your plan for ventilation and odor control?
Why it matters: Comfort and safety for occupants.
What good looks like: Fans/air scrubbers, product selection tailored to occupancy, and off-hours application where required.
Quality Control & Documentation
17. What Quality Control (QC) steps do you follow (inspections, mil-thickness checks for coatings)?
Why it matters: Confirms the system meets spec.
What good looks like: Daily QC logs, Dry Film Thickness (DFT) readings on specified systems, punch‑list workflow, and sign‑off.
18. Who is our single point of contact, and how often will we get updates?
Why it matters: Eliminates communication gaps.
What good looks like: Named PM/estimator, update cadence, contact info, and escalation path.
Pricing, Contracts & Changes
19. What is the pricing structure, and how are change orders handled?
Why it matters: Enables budget control.
What good looks like: Line‑item detail, unit rates for add/delete, and written change‑order approval before work proceeds.
20. What are the payment terms, retainage, and warranty (labor & material)?
Why it matters: Protects you during and after the project.
What good looks like: Standard terms spelled out, retainage if applicable, written warranties, and manufacturer coverage.
Post-Project Support
21. Do you provide a maintenance plan and a labeled touch-up kit?
Why it matters: Extends service life and keeps spaces looking new.
What good looks like: Care guidelines by sheen/surface, labeled cans and drawdowns, documented return‑for‑service SLA.
Red Flags Checklist:
- Vague scope (“We’ll figure it out on site”).
- No COI, no safety documentation, no recent references.
- Rock‑bottom bid with minimal prep/repair detail.
- No schedule, no phasing, no single point of contact.
If you’re seeing any of these, proceed with caution or not at all.
Ready for Straight Answers (and a Smooth Project)?
We handle commercial interiors and exteriors across various sectors, including offices, retail, industrial, schools, healthcare, hospitality, and places of worship. Our jobs include written safety plans, clear scopes, and phased schedules that minimize disruption.
Get your free estimate today!
