5 Questions to Ask Your Painter

Going into a home painting with no knowledge of the process or what to expect can set you up for anxiety. To get a great outcome, the first step is knowing what to ask and how to get the answers you need. Here are 5 questions to ask your painter.

Research

As with any home improvement task, you need to do your research leading up to it. Plan your project out and thoroughly vet each of your potential contractors. You need to know what you’d like to have attended to before the estimator arrives. Consider the following:

What parts of the house do you want painted?
Are you looking for the trim to be refreshed too?
Will there be ceilings or textures involved (removed or applied)?
Is there damage that needs repaired before painting can start?

Do some research online through review sites and websites to find several painters you would like to meet with. Most will offer free estimate appointments to discuss your project and get a feeling of what you need done. Aim to meet with at least 3 but usually no more than 5 – these appointments take time!

On initial calls you should have ready for the first encounter with the company include the following:

1. Do you provide a free estimate?

Free estimates are a standard in the painting industry. Ask what is included with the estimate. Will it include itemized listings of labor and materials, as well as a segmented out list of preparations and repairs that will be done? You’ll want to see this so you can fairly judge your estimates next to each other.

2. What are your credentials?

Painting companies worth their salt are used to this question. A contractor should readily provide general liability insurance as well as workman’s compensation policy information. For their licensing, you will need to check with your local governing bodies to find out what is required of painters. Some municipalities require specific painting licensing, others fall under general contracting.

3. Can I see a list of references?

Portfolios and references are a regular part of the painting appointment for estimating. Typically, you’ll be presented with contact information on happy clients. There are usually before and after images attached to this document too. Remember, no painting company will provide you information to their challenging customers. So in addition to the provided references which you should contact, also search online review boards to get a more realistic picture of the company’s work and practices.

4. What kind of painting prep do you do?

If your project requires repairs, inquire if the crew can provide them. If they cannot, you might need to have them addressed before you move on to the painting phase of your work. Besides repairs, there are preparations that should be done before painting. This can include anything from removing faceplates to moving furniture. Some homeowners contribute to the job by taking on some or all of the preparation beforehand. It can be because they are trimming their bottom line, or the painters only provide painting services. Know which you are dealing with before you are surprised on the first day of work.

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.

Any successful home painting job starts with finding the right contractor to provide the work. Ask questions beyond these if it makes you more comfortable choosing a provider. Doing your homework on a provider can set your project up for success.

We’d love to be considered for your painting project and our painters are happy to address your questions. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our estimators today.