The U.S house painting and decorating contractors industry is worth $20.6 billion as of 2021.
Residential painting is the simplest way to breathe new life into your home. Every time paint wears off from your walls; it’s best to carry out re-painting with the help of a licensed residential painter. But, choosing the best residential painter is not as simple as it sounds.
You require to dedicate time and put more effort to ensure you pick the best contractor. Below are the top seven factors you should consider when hiring residential painting contractors.
Table of Contents
1. Residential Painting Experience
As you begin your quest for the best residential painting contractor, prioritize house painters with the experience you need. The number of years a painting contractor has been in business is important.
Trust me; you don’t want to hire a beginner for your house painting. Most of them end up making costly, and time-consuming mistakes that can only be rectified by experienced contractors.
Finding someone with residential painting experience is important. Remember, experience is the best teacher. Painting contractors that have been in operation for a long time understand what to do to attain the best results.
Residential painting experience is also proof the contractor has been through a lot and can handle challenges as they arise.
2. Be Clear With Your Needs
When reviewing your project with a painting contractor, be clear on your needs before they provide an estimate. Sharing relevant details can make a lot of difference.
For example, if this is a long-term project and you are not planning to move out soon, the contractor will help you achieve this goal.
Once you communicate your goals, it’s the responsibility of the painting contractor to suggest the best alternatives to accomplish them.
3. Turn-around Time
Speed is of great importance when painting your home. A slow painting contractor will cost a lot if you are paying at an hourly rate.
Imagine if it takes weeks to complete the painting job. This would be very costly.
Ensure you obtain quotations from multiple painters. Comparing painting costs from these contractors should help you determine who is affordable and who isn’t.
Be keen on the turn-around time as this is what determines the difference in cost. Where possible, opt for a painting company with a team of professional painters. This way, you are certain the project will only take a few days.
4. Type Of Materials Used
When hiring a painter, it’s important to consider the quality of materials they use. The best painters should have high-end paint brushes and equipment to finish the job efficiently. Lack of high-quality materials should be treated as a red flag.
Check on the type of caulk that will be used for preparation. Choose a contractor with better caulking as this could lead to an additional 2-5 years to your paint.
Also, reliable contractors suggest the right coating and painting for different surfaces. For example, mildew-resistant paints are best for bathrooms, while low VOC paints are ideal for living rooms.
5. Quality of Work
The next important aspect you should look into when hiring a painting contractor is the quality of work. Restoring the warmth of your walls is tedious and probably not something you wish to repeat after a few months.
With this in mind, take time to carry out quality checks. Assess your options for painters and settle for one with good customer service and one that upholds integrity.
To get proof of the company’s ability, take a look at their past projects. Are you satisfied with what you see? If yes, you can go ahead to hire the contractor.
However, if the contractor cannot provide proof of their abilities, look for alternatives.
6. Licensing and Insurance
There are high degrees of risks like falling from ladders and scaffolding during residential painting. For this reason, painting contractors ought to have compensation insurance cover.
The compensation insurance policy covers injuries if accidents occur on site. This cover protects clients from being prosecuted for compensation and liabilities.
However, liability insurance and workman’s compensation are expensive, and a few contractors choose not to pay for it.
Be safe; always seek proof of insurance and licensing before hiring a painting contractor to avoid trouble with the law and keep your home safe.
Again, ask for a copy of the comprehensive business liability before signing any agreements. This should protect your home if the painter damages it when painting.
7. The Written Contract
When picking a painting contractor, ensure you read through the contract before signing. It’s essential to understand what the company claim they will do as part of their job to avoid surprises.
Ensure the residential painting contractor has outlined their surface preparation plan and the type of services they will offer. Confirm whether the painter has indicated both interior and exterior painting procedures.
The contract should also include the painter’s information, such as their address, license number, telephone number, and details regarding their estimate. This includes a breakdown of labor and material costs.
Before signing, you must ask the painting contractor what is and what isn’t included in the job. This is also the perfect chance to discuss any additional works like repairing drywall holes or consultation on exterior paint ideas.
Ensure you direct these questions to the person working on your project to avoid misunderstandings in the future.
Get Value by Hiring Residential Painting Contractors
The only way to have the assurance your home will look spectacular is by selecting a professional painting contractor. Hiring residential painting contractors shouldn’t be difficult if you consider these factors.
Go for the experience and consider the contractor’s turn-around time, which affects the service cost. The shorter time the painter spends at your house, the less money you will pay in total.
Again, reading online reviews and seeking recommendations from friends will also steer you in the right direction.
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