9 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Residential Painter

A fresh coat of paint can change the look of a room or revitalize your home's exterior. You don't want to leave such an important job to amateurs. You need the best painters possible. But finding the perfect residential painter isn't always easy.

We are here to help. Read on for the 9 questions to ask a painter before hiring them.

1. Do You Have References?

Speaking to previous customers is a great way to learn about a painter's work and professionalism. When asked, any good painter should be able to provide you a list of references.

References are the best way to find out how friendly, hardworking, and punctual they are. It also helps you understand how well their work holds up over time.

One thing you need to watch out for though is fake referees. It may sound silly, but make sure you aren't just talking to their friends and family members.

2. Do You Have Insurance?

No matter how careful a painter is, accidents can happen. But if a residential painter doesn't have the right insurance, the cost could fall on the homeowner. That is why every painter must be properly insured.

Be sure to ask what insurance coverage residential painting companies and their workers have. The last thing you want is to be footing the bill for an accident that wasn't your fault.

3. How Long Will You Take?

One thing you need to consider when painting is how long the process will take. Between clearing the area, preparing the walls, painting, drying, and clearing up, there is a lot to do. This isn't so much of an issue for exterior painting, but with interiors it can be quite disruptive.

Ask your painter how long they expect the job to take. A good painter will be able to give you a solid estimate, with a justification for how long it will take. If you have a deadline, make sure to discuss this. There may be things the painter can do to speed up the job, like bringing in a larger team.

4. What Grade of Paint Do You Use?

Not all paint is the same quality, which is why you must always ask what your painter will use.

Different paints have different coverage and durability. Cheaper paints will not cover background marks and colors as well and will likely take more labor to apply correctly. This means you will see bleed-through or see the color fade over time if the job isnt done right.  Sometimes clients will ask for a cheaper paint and the result can be mor elabor but cheaper paint.

5. How Will You Prepare for Painting?

To get great results, a wall needs to be prepared before it is painted. That means filling the holes, sanding any blemishes and potentailly using primer where needed.

Always ask your painter if and how they will be preparing your walls before they get started. If it looks like they are skipping any prep-work, keep looking. An uneven surface can ruin even the best painting and may also require some drywall work by a professional. A professional paint job needs professional preparation.

6. How Much Will It Cost?

A residential painter should always be able to provide a cost estimate for a job. It isn't uncommon for a painter to avoid giving you a fixed cost (material and labor costs do change), but they should be able to give you an idea. If they won't give you an estimate you can expect a very high bill at the end.

But remember, the lowest offer isn't always the best. Cheap paints, untrained painters, and low attention to detail will bring down your price, but also the quality of your paint job. Make sure you consider the value of the offer, not just the price.

7. Can You Help With Color Selection?

Repainting isn't just about tidying up the look of your walls. A new color can totally change the look and feel of your home. But choosing the perfect colors for your home isn't always easy.

Ask your residential painter if they provide a consultation service for color selection. No one has more experience with color palettes than painters, so they can provide valuable advice. If they offer this service, they will be able to help you pick a color that suits your room, or help you build a whole color scheme around your chosen color.

8. Do You Offer Warranty?

Warranty is becoming more common with painting services and is a great indicator that a painter stands by their work.

Warranty will protect you if the work turns out worse than you expect, or there is a problem with the paint. If they do offer a warranty, be sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what is covered.

9. Will You Clean up After the Job?

You would expect that your painter will clear up after themselves and leave your home as they found it, but this isn't always the case. Make sure you know exactly what they are going to do before hiring a painter. Failing to clean up could be a sign that they don't give much care and attention to their work.

It's useful to get this in writing. The last thing you want is for your painter to rush the cleanup to get to another job. Having something in writing will make sure that your contractor sticks to what you have agreed.

Hiring a Residential Painter