5 Things to Know Before You Hire a Painter

Hiring professional painters to paint your home’s interior or exterior can save you time, money, and stress. CertaPro Painters® of Clifton, NJ, know that who you choose to paint your home is just as important as the results. We put together a list of five things you should know before you hire a painter.

1. How to Prep

Before a painting crew comes to your home, there are a few things the homeowner should prep. At CertaPro Painters® of Clifton, NJ, we recommend removing all paintings, pictures, and wall decorations for interior work. Additionally, you should remove blinds, window coverings, and small or fragile objects. All furniture should be in the center of the room as well.

For exterior projects, remove any items that are in the work area, including vehicles. Clear access to the interior and exterior areas sets the tone for the project and ensures everything will go smoothly.

2. Research Your Options

When you’re thinking about painting your home, you need to research professional painting companies in Clifton and its surrounding areas. You want to trust who you hire and get a feel for the type of work they do.

Start by doing a Google search and look at any reviews posted by previous customers. You can talk to friends and family who have had work done, or you can ask the painting company itself for references. Take time to review their online portfolio, testimonials, warranty information, licenses, and insurance.

CertaPro Painters® of Clifton, NJ, has been in business since 2011. We carry General Liability and Worker’s Compensation Insurance and the State of NJ Home Improvement Contractor’s License. Feel free to review our two-year limited warranty information.

3. Get an Estimate 

Before hiring any professional painter, you should get an estimate for the work they are going to do. At CertaPro Painters® of Clifton, NJ, we offer FREE estimates for any of our painting projects. Sherwin Williams also offers our customers free color consultations upon request. Color consultations are great for homeowners who are unsure how to choose a color palette for their home and want guidance along the way.

Typically, we want to discuss the project with the homeowner to determine the scope of work, understand their budget, and then come up with options that meet their unique needs. We do not have a project minimum, but for small projects, we may ask that the homeowner accommodates our schedule so that we can fit it in at a time when we are in the area working on another project.

After you receive a quote on a painting project, your price should not change unless there is a change to the scope of work after the project has started. If there are changes made, both the painters and the homeowner should thoroughly discuss and approve.

4. Learn the Process

There are some parts of the process that homeowners should question before hiring a painter, like how the project is going to be managed, who is going to be in the house, and what products the painting crew is going to use.

At CertaPro Painters® of Clifton, NJ, each project has an on-site supervisor that oversees everything and provides daily updates on the project’s progress. The size of the project will determine how many painters will be assigned.

We use high-quality products to ensure superior results. For walls and ceilings, we use latex-based paint, and in areas of heavy contact, like trim or cabinet doors, we use oil-based paints that can withstand high traffic. For those looking for an eco-friendly option, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer low VOC and no VOC paint options.

Aside from paint, we use primers, stains, sealers, caulks, and a variety of surface repair/ preparation materials. We also take pride up in our clean up. The crew removes all paints and materials, tidies up the work area, and for interiors, we will put everything back in place.

5. Set Realistic Expectations

You may want your turnaround time to be a day, but it really depends on the size of the home, the condition of the surfaces to be painted, and the number of colors used to determine how long your painting project will take. Another factor that plays into the timeline of the project is how easy or difficult it is for the painter to access the space.

The weather can also hinder your timeline, especially for exterior projects. Having open communication with your project manager is essential to setting realistic expectations and making sure everyone is satisfied and stress-free throughout the project.

CertaPro Painters® of Clifton, NJ, is the locally owned and operated house and commercial painting company you can trust.

Contact us today to talk about your painting project and schedule a free estimate!