How To Hire A Commercial Painter in Rhode Island

Hiring a commercial painter doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—especially when you’re armed with the right insights to make smart choices. At CertaPro Painters of Rhode Island, we’ve helped countless businesses transform their spaces with confidence, and we’re here to guide you through the process. Before diving into your search, check out our tips on hiring a commercial painter, including key questions to ask before committing.

Does Your Preferred Commercial Painter have a Portfolio?

It’s always a great idea to request examples of previous work from any painter you’re considering. A true pro, like our team at CertaPro Painters of Rhode Island, should happily share photos and even client references for projects similar to yours. When reviewing those images, keep an eye out for:

• Crisp, even edges and lines where colors meet, showing real attention to detail.
• Shots of the crew in action on-site—this helps confirm it’s authentic work, not just generic stock photos.
• Before-and-after views to highlight the transformation and the quality of the results.

What quality of products do they use?

Most experienced painters have go-to brands they’re passionate about, ones they’ve trusted for consistent, standout finishes. At CertaPro Painters of Rhode Island, we stand by top-tier products that deliver lasting beauty and durability. Asking about the brands lets you dig into their reputation for performance, so you can spot any potential strengths or drawbacks upfront.

Is the Scope of Work Well-Defined?

When you receive your bid, you’ll want to make sure the exact details are all listed. If the repairs, preparation and painting are not all laid out, there could be misunderstandings between what you expect and what the crew provides. Look for items like the following on your estimate:

• Information about the building like the type of exterior and surfaces to be included/excluded from the scope of work
• Priming, caulking and sanding
• Repairs to wood and metal railings
• Number of coats of paint
• What products to use
• Crew size start and time needed to finish the job

Having this all placed on a document will allow you to account for all costs and make sure you have no surprises down the road.

Will Your Preferred Painting Contractor Provide References?

In the age of online reviews, many people skip the step of seeking out references. While online reviews are a good place to start, you should also request references from your painter that you can ask questions of. Some items you might want to ask them include:

1. What kind of work did the painting contractor do for you?
2. When was it done?
3. Was the project completed on time and on budget?
4. What did you like best about working with the company?
5. Would you hire this contractor again?

Are you comfortable with the provider?

More than likely, this is a large project to take on, and it’s really important for you to be comfortable with the provider you choose. Painting commercial spaces sometimes can take several days to weeks. Your contractor will be part of your day to day during this time so make sure it’s someone you can see yourself working with. You should consider your comfort level with each provider, including the following:

1. Do you feel comfortable with the scope of project and the process they propose?
2. Do you feel as though you are getting good value for the budget?
3. Can you easily communicate with the contractor?
4. How easily can you reach the contractor when you call/text/email?
5. When you assess each contractor against this checklist, you should be able to determine the one that stands out from the others.