You’ve decided to hire a professional painter for your home or business project. The question now is which one. To make that determination, begin by asking for referrals from friends, family, neighbors and others you know and trust. Other good referrals can come from professionals who interact with painters and painting contractors on a regular basis, such as real estate agents, decorators, designers, paint store managers and home stagers. Now that you know who to ask, here are some tips about what to ask and why: What type of work was done for you? You want to know that the project completed for the reference is similar to your project, so that timelines and budgets make sense to you. Did the painting contractor communicate well? You want your needs and priorities to be clearly understood, so your expectations can be met from start to finish. Were proposals and contracts presented in writing? For clarity, what work is to be done starting when and at what price should be listed on all appropriate documents. What about a written warranty?
A painting contractor should stand behind the work provided and be responsive if you discover it was done incorrectly or just didn’t hold up. Is the painting contractor fully insured and bonded? You want to protect yourself from lawsuits with regard to damage, injury and theft at the work site. Check expiration dates. Did the contractor subcontract any work? If so, you want those subcontractors to be paid. Otherwise, you could face a lien on your property even if you paid the contractor in full. What about materials? Did the painters use high quality, brand name paint? After you’ve chosen your colors, the contractor must select the correct products for your specific project. Were personnel professional in appearance, behavior and language? People in your home or office abide by certain standards, so you can expect visiting workers to follow your rules.
Continue reading ‘Questions to Ask References Before You Hire a Painter’ »