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. So, 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 exterior painters 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 with a list of happy clients and their contact information. Quite a few carry a full portfolio of images that can show you the 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 are any number of review sites you can visit to get a more unbiased look at the work of the painter.

2. 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.

3.  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 industry standard that you provide up to 50% of the estimated cost of your job up front. 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 walk through of the job. Anything outside of this is considered questionable.

4. 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.

5. Do you offer a workmanship warranty?

Reputable companies working with quality products will always back up their work with warranties. They might not cover a ding in the wall, or when your son got a hold of a marker, but anything that is work or paint related should be fixed. This includes paint failure and workmanship failure. Be sure you get full details of the warranty in writing to go over.

Get Started with the Best Exterior Painters

When you work with CertaPro Painters® of Colorado Springs, you don’t have to worry about any of this! Our professionals are equipped to prepare your exterior for any type of painting job, commercial or residential. We provide a wide variety of services that cover the needs we see on house exteriors, a color consultation, deck painting and staining, and stucco repairs.

To get started on your exterior painting service, call one of the expert team members at 719-465-3118. You can also fill out our free, no-obligation form for a free estimate. CertaPro Painters® does painting so that you can do life. Get started today!