Below are the Top 15 Questions you should ask a painting company that you’re considering hiring. By
interviewing the contractor using this “checklist” of questions, you
will find an experienced, quality contractor who will provide excellent painting services
on your home or commercial property…
…and at best, it will help you avoid getting Ripped-Off.
1. What type of paint do you use?
Paint quality can vary, so it’s important to know the brand and type of paint that will be used on your home or property.
A
good painter will usually recommend high quality paint, but it’s always
a good idea to ask for other options and make sure your potential paint
contractor can explain the added benefits a more expensive paint has to
offer over a less expensive one. Also, asking for information on the
paint manufacturer’s warranty regarding reliability may help you decide
what kind of paint is better for your home or property.
If
you are sensitive to “new paint smell” you may also wish to inquire
about the option of using paint that contains low VOC (Volatile Organic
Compounds).
2. Is your estimate a flat rate?
When asking a painting company for a quote on the cost of your job, make sure you get it in writing.
Make
sure it’s stated what exactly is included in the quote and how firm
that costs will be. There’s nothing worse than have your painter give you a good price and then coming back to you later with
additional fees charges.
Make
sure your quote specifies the areas to be painted, the number of coats,
the materials to be used, labor and how long the job will take. Be sure
to ask if there are any additional fees or expenses that might be
involved. The more specifics that are included in your quote, the easier
it will be to compare costs between bids.
3. Do you offer a written guarantee for your painting services?
When discussing the guarantee, get your painter to put it in writing.
Otherwise,
you may find that your original verbal guarantee will provide no more
than what the paint manufacturer offered. You need to know what your
paint contractor will do in the event of problems with your painting
job.
A quality conscious Dallas/Fort Worth Painter will stand behind their work and they will say so in writing.
4. How long will the job take to complete?
After
your painting job has started, you want to be sure that your contractor
will stay on the job continuously until your job is completely done.
Living
in the middle of a half finished job while your painter is off on other
paint projects makes your experience much harder than it has to be.
Make sure that the company you hire is clear to you that he/she will
show up every day until your job is completed as promised.
5. How will non-painted surfaces be protected?
Make
sure your painting company has a definite plan for protecting
non painting areas and surfaces from paint splatters and spills.
Areas
such as your floors, furniture, planters, driveway and even your roof
will need to be covered and protected from spills and splatter etc.
6. How will you prepare surfaces for painting?
Well-executed preparation before the job begins makes a huge difference in the quality of the your completed paint job. Ask your contractor what they will do regarding sanding, cleaning and scraping the surfaces that need painting.
7. Will you be using a paint primer before painting?
Bare surfaces that are to be painted will require a primer to be used. A surface that is being repainted will not require primer(In some instances)
8. What areas will be caulked before painting begins?
Caulking is an absolute key to a well done paint job.
If
your painter does not caulk the seams, joints, gaps or cracks in
surfaces, moisture can get between the paint the surface and cause it to
fail or peel away later.
9. What can I expect in regards to the clean up after the job is completed?
No
one wants to spend a lot of money on a paint job and end up having to
spend a lot of time cleaning up after a bunch of clumsy nonchalant
painters.
Find out ahead of time how they plan clean-up and leave your property once the job is completed.
10. Who will supervise the project?
If the person giving you the painting estimate will not be supervising the paint project, ask to meet that person who will be supervising beforehand and find out about their experience to ensure they are qualified for that job and most of all that you feel comfortable with them.
— LAST MINUTE BONUS QUESTIONS FOR CERTAINTY —
11. Will there be subcontractors used for planning the job?
You should know if the painter you hire does not plan on doing the work themselves.
If
this be the case, you definitely need to contact and be certain that
you can trust subcontractors that will be working on your home or
property by asking them these same questions.
12. How long have you been in business? Experience is all important when choosing a painter.
Contact
your local Better Business Bureau for any previous issues or complaints
can give you a sense of a contractor’s stability and reliability.
13. What are your reference?
Get a minimum of three names and phone numbers recent customers of your paint contractor.
You’ll
want to know if these customers were happy with the quality of the
work, how well their non-painted surfaces were protected, if they stayed
on the job until it was complete, did they clean up after themselves
and whether they were courteous and pleasant to work with.
14. Are you currently insured?
Any good, reputable Painting Company will carry insurance for liability, property damage. Ask if they have it.
15. Can I see the work contract?
Any
contract you sign for a painting job should include the full cost, the
time when full payment is required, details of the work you are having
done, a start and painting estimate completion date, the brand of paint
and colors that will be used in each place and how many coats will be
done.
The
contract should also state that the painter is responsible for cleaning
up and removing paint from surfaces such as windows and floors. Asking
these questions of every painting service company you interview will
ensure you get the best quality work at the most reasonable price.
Remember that the best company for the job isn't always the cheapest.
You get what you pay for when it comes to contractors.