How to hire a painter – what to know

Getting your home painted is a big job, inside or out. It’s an inevitable project that invades your personal space. You can keep your walls and exterior looking good by bringing in painters, but you want to get the right company. Here is how to hire a painter and what to know before you do.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

Painting can be accomplished by an enthusiastic homeowner. Know going in, that before you make the decision to paint, you should take into account the job, tools needed, and work to complete it. An exterior paint job is a large task that requires ladders, climbing, extension tools, and more. The cost in time and equipment might be worth hiring a pro, that comes with all those tools.

Time

Doing the project yourself can save you money, but it will cost you in time. Because you are not a professional, your job is sure to take longer. The experience of a pro makes them prepared to solve problems in the job quicker. They also know that prep work should account for ⅔ of your job time. Proper preparation is crucial to a professional-looking outcome. You have your own job to do, do you want to spend your outside-work-hours time painting?

Safety

Even a regular single-story paint job can be a bear if it requires ladders. Our pros have spent years manipulating themselves into contorted positions and odd angles to paint homes. They also have all of the tools to help them get the job done while staying safe.

Quality

Novice painters may have a difficult time reaching difficult places and getting the professional finish of a pro painter. Holidays, cutting in and tape tricks are something the pros have spent years perfecting. This all makes their jobs turn out beautifully. A homeowner painter might have more trouble getting the same outcome. If the idea of a shadow or an imperfect wall sends shivers up your spine, a pro painter might be for you.

Speed

The professionals have painted many homes. Because of that, they know how to get through the project efficiently without sacrificing quality results. A company painting your home will likely send not just a painter, but a crew. More hands working means the job gets done much faster. If you’re putting in the man-hours, it’s hard to get motivated after a regular job to get going. And let’s not mention how hard it is to focus and finish.

Preparation

Preparation should account for ⅔ of the painting job. If the preparation is skimped on, the paint job will show it in the end. Furniture must be moved, walls have to be cleaned and hardware removed or taped off. All of these small items add up in time. If you are looking to save on the bottom line, try to work with your painting company to do some of the prep yourself. 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 your search for a house painter, recommendations from friends or family should always carry the most heft. A contractor that your colleague has personal experience with will be the best referral you can get. Search engines will turn up a plethora of options. When choosing this route, it’s always good to do your search in conjunction with review sites. While a company won’t show the good and the bad of their work on their website, places like Home Advisor, Google Reviews, and Angie’s List give homeowners a place to show the work they had done. By comparing the website and the reviews, you should get a more unbiased opinion of the company and have the ability to make decisions on who you’d like estimates from.

What to Expect from a House Painter

With professional painters, there are a few industry standards you should expect going into the project. Most likely, you will receive an on-site estimate to assess extra work that may be necessary for your job. Reputable companies should willingly share their license and insurance information if you request it. This protects both you, and the crew. An estimate should be itemized, written down, and presented to you before you decide to move forward. This will keep from finding surprises on the bill at the end.

Watch out for companies that will just quote a per foot price over the phone. The crew should be timely and follow a schedule you agree to before the work begins. A final walkthrough should be done with you and the crew manager to address any concerns before the crew packs up to leave.

Questions to Ask Your Painter

Throughout the process, do not hesitate to ask questions of your painter or estimator. They are there to help ease your concerns. Here are a few you might want to start with.

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 primer included?

We would love to be considered as one of your choices for a painting job. If your ready to get your house looking great again schedule an in-home estimate today!