Having the outside of your house painted can seem like a monumental task. There are so many decisions involved, and making such a permanent change can be a little unnerving.
Your home is your most valuable possession, and you need the peace of mind of knowing that the job is being done right. At the sane time, you may be on a budget and concerned about being overcharged. How do you ensure that your house is painted with the proper care and attention to detail from start to finish? The key to a getting a great detail from start to finish? The key to a getting a great deal on a beautiful, long-lasting paint job is to hire the right painting contractor.
Get multiple quotes
When looking for prospective painting contractors, it is best to start by consulting a proven source of professional reviews such as angle’s list. Recommendations from reviews such as angle’s list. Recommendations from trusted friends in your area can also be an excellent source of information.
Obtaining a quote from one painter is not enough, even if the contractor has stellar reviews. The standard practice for hiring any home improvement contractor is to get three quotes, but you should interview contractors until you feel comfortable that you have adequate information. You should collect enough information to make informed comparisons between contractors in terms of price, service, and quality.
Your quotes will naturally vary, but they should be in the sane ballpark be wary of any contractor whose price differs dramatically from the others. If the quote is much higher, the painter is probably overcharging, if the quote seems too low, it may be a sign that the painter uses low quality materials. Your goal should not be to take the cheapest bid but to find the painter who offers the best quality for the fairest price.
Ask for visual referrals
Painting contractors should not just be able to tell you about past experience but should show you plenty of visual examples of their work. Contractors should have portfolios containing a collection of photographs of completed paint jobs. The photos might even inspire ideas for your own paint job.
Even if the contractor has a portfolio, it is best to ask for some referencesfrom previous clients. Contact those references, and ask for their honest opinions about the quality of service. If possible, visit some of the homes the painter has worked on. It is best to choose homes with paint jobs that are a few years old, so you can evaluate how well the work has held up overtime.
Paint quality
Pay dose attention to the materials the contractor is planning to use to paint your home. Not all paints are created equal.
Check the contractor’s credentials
Even the best referrals are not enough if the contractor does not have proper credentials. Make certain that the painter has full insurance coverage. An accident is unlikely, but they do happen. Liability insurance protects you from damage to your home. Workman’s compensation insurance protects workers from injuries sustained while painting on your property.
The contractor or painting company should also be bonded. Bonding means that the contractor’s performance will be guaranteed by a surety company. This is a standard requirement for contractors and ensures that you will not be left without recourse if the contract is not fulfilled.
The painter should have a license and be able to produce a copy upon request. Follow up with your slate’s license board to make sure that the license is up-to-date. Some painters may try to avoid the licensing requirement by offering lower rates, but this is not worth the risk of hiring an unlicensed contractor.