What to Know When Hiring a Painter

Painting your house is a big job, inside or out. This is one project that is sure to invade your personal space, no way around it. Keep your walls and exterior looking good by bringing in a professional painting crew, but do your research before hiring. Here is how to hire a painter and what to know.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

An enthusiastic homeowner can paint a house. Before you decide to take on the job yourself, you should take into account the job size, tools needed and work to complete it. An exterior job is a much bigger task that requires ladders, climbing, extension tools, and other specific items. Each of those is likely an additional cost. Between buying supplies and the time required, you might be looking at the same cost as hiring a pro, that comes with all of the necessary tools.

Time

If you choose to do your painting yourself, you can surely save money. But because you are not a professional, the job is almost certain to take longer. The experience a professional painter brings with them means they can solve problems quicker with past knowledge. They also know that prep work is the difference between a job looking home done and professional. A crew will put in ⅔ of their time working on the walls before a paint can is ever opened. The time commitment for a great outcome is higher than most homeowners expect, so you have to decide if that’s a time frame you have available to work.

Safety

A single-story paint job is fairly easily accomplished. When you start dealing with vaulted ceilings, working around awnings or painting stairways and foyers, safety becomes an issue. Painters regularly contort themselves into odd positions to paint homes. They also come with a truck full of specially made tools for these predicaments.

Quality

A professional painter is trained to recognize issues in the paint that will leave a less-than-stellar outcome and how to correct them before they leave the job. A novice is much more likely to have issues with holidays, cutting in and taping. All of these tricks and tools make the job turn out better. If the idea of a shadow in the wall or an imperfect line sends shivers up your spine, consider a pro.

Speed

There’s no substitute for experience when it comes to finishing a project efficiently without sacrificing the product. A painting company will probably send you not just a painter, but a crew. More hands-on work will make it move quicker. Plus, this is their main line of work. It can be very difficult to get the motivation to paint after a full day at the office.

Preparation

The work before painting should account for 60 percent or more of the job. When preparation is skimped on, it will show at the end. Furniture must be moved, walls have to be cleaned and hardware removed or taped off. These items all add up to a hefty amount of work.

If you are attempting to save on the bottom line, ask your estimator what the difference in cost is if you pitch in with the preparation. Each hour the crew is not necessary saves on the bottom line. Homeowners can easily empty a room, wash walls and even do some sanding or repairs. Some companies will insist you use their pros. Others might let you do some or all of it, but will likely not give you a warranty on the work, since it’s not theirs.

Where to Find a Reputable House Painter

In searching for house painters, you’ll find many options on the internet, as well as recommendations from friends and family. Personal references should be taken with the most weight. When choosing, it’s good to use review sites in conjunction with recommendations. Places that allow reviews will give you an unbiased opinion of the work from the company. This will help you pick where you’d be interested in getting estimates from.

What to Expect from a House Painter

Professional painters adhere to several industry standards and you should expect them in your project as well. Most do on-site estimates that include measurements and questions on the work you are looking for. Companies with good reputations are willing to share their license and insurance information upon request. This protects you, your property and the crew. Estimates should be a written document that is presented to you before you make the decision to book.

Beware

Before hiring, any company that rubs you the wrong way should be avoided. Be wary of companies that will price quote over the phone. Make sure you are aware of the products being used on your project. Ask your estimator if you’ll have a final walkthrough with a company representative to make sure you’re happy before the crew packs up to leave.

Questions to Ask Your Painter

There are no dumb questions when it comes to your painting project. Feel at ease asking about any concerns. Here are a few items to consider:

Will this job be a single painter or a crew?
What kind of experience do you/ does your crew have?
What’s the estimated timeline for this project?
What do I need to do before you start?
Is there any prep work required? Will you do it?
Does the crew clean up?
Are there any warranties on the job?
How many coats are included? Is the primer included?

We would love to be considered as one of your choices for a painting job. Set up a free, in-home estimate now!