10 Key Questions to Ask Your Painting Contractor

The exterior of your house is an example of the space inside and the people living in it. To make a good impression, even from the road, you’ll want to keep it maintained. This includes protecting it from the elements through the first line of defense: paint. Bringing in a painter can be intimidating if you don’t know what to expect. Here are 10 key questions to ask your painting contractor.

With the spring season gearing up, many homeowners are looking at their exteriors of their homes and finding that they are in need of attention. The first step to making the necessary changes is to meet with an estimator and talk about your expectations in the paint. Most are well aware you are on a budget but at the same time, you want to protect your investment. Expensive repairs can crop up on homes that do not have maintained paint.

Before you head into your appointment with an estimator, arm yourself with some questions you may need answers to. This will help you feel confident in your choice of painter and the job you book. Here are a few to get you started.

1. Do you have references?

Painting contractors expect this question from potential clients. They will be able to provide you a list of happy clients and their contact information. Quite a few carry a full portfolio of images that can show you their before and after work.

Naturally, a painter is not going to give you the information of a client that had a less than perfect experience. Nor will you hear about the issues that previous customers may have had. This is why it’s important to do your own research. With the internet, there is any number of review sites you can visit to get a more unbiased look at the work of the painter.

2. Do you carry insurance?

While workers are at your house, things can go awry. While it’s unlikely, injuries and accidents can happen. Since they are on your property, failure of the company to provide insurance means you could be on the hook for medical bills or repair costs. Make sure the company you choose to work with carries both liability and workman’s compensation insurance policies. Reputable painting companies are happy to provide you with policy information for each.

3. Is the contractor licensed?

Every state requires painting contractors to be licensed. This means they have shown basic knowledge in painting. It also means they stand to lose something if they don’t perform up to standards. State and local municipalities have their own regulations on exactly what’s required to get a license, so if you have further questions, check in with your local government.

4. Who and how is my house being prepped?

This should be discussed long before any crew members arrive. Before you sign the contract, make sure that preparation responsibilities are outlined thoroughly. While some estimators outline preparations in their estimate, others may not. When you are working with a crew, some will let you trim the expenses by pitching in with some of the preparations. This can include moving furniture, removing plates or repairing holes. Keep in mind that some providers won’t honor warranties if their crew doesn’t provide the service from start to finish.

5. What paint will be used?

Working with a professional painter means you can use their experience and knowledge to help you make good choices. Most of them have go-to brands of paint that have provided them with good results. While it’s probably in your best interest to go with their choices, you do have a say in what is used. If there are extras like mildew killing that you really want, voice your concerns. Otherwise, you’re probably getting a decent mid-range paint with a good warranty.

6. What is the crew and schedule for my job?

Depending on your painting job, you might need several crew members to be on site for a few days. To plan for your family, you need to know this ahead of time. Since there are arrangements to be made before the work starts, it’s only fair you receive a schedule to work with. While some unforeseen circumstances can adjust the schedule, you should have a basic idea of what is happening and when.

7. How much will the paint job cost?

This is probably the biggest question you can ask. Low prices are not always better. They can indicate a painter didn’t understand the scope of work, or they may be less than qualified to handle the job. At the same time, know that you probably won’t get a hard and fast bottom line cost. Things change during a job. If you add or take away any pieces of work, this changes the costs. Your estimate should be close to what you pay.

Secondly, pay attention to the pay schedule for your job. It is an industry standard that you provide up to 50% of the estimated cost of your job upfront. This allows the foreman to gather crew, supplies and reserve dates for your work. The second half of the payment won’t be due until the final walkthrough of the job. Anything outside of this is considered questionable.

8. Is there a warranty?

Professional painters prep, paint and use premium products. With their expertise, your paint job should look beautiful for up to 10 years. Because of this, most painting contractors will often guarantee their work. While each company makes their own terms, you’ll likely get a year or two warranty against paint problems. This does not include dings from furniture, water damage from leaks or other problems that were out of the painter’s hands. Make sure you understand what is covered and the terms.

9. What will be cleaned up after the job is finished?

Contractors are notorious for leaving messes behind. Painters try to set a standard and clean up properly before they leave the premises. They will remove tools, debris and mess that happens while they are working. Having this included in the contract guarantees that your house will be spotless when they leave.

10. Who do I talk to for updates or questions?

There’s nothing worse than signing a contract and feeling left in the dark. Make sure someone is available to answer any questions you may have. This could be an office representative or crew leader. You should have one point of contact to go to for updates on the project, timeline changes or any further questions.

Finding the right painter isn’t easy, but it can be done. CertaPro Painters is happy to help you through this process. We’d be honored to be included in your considerations. Schedule a free estimate with our team today.