A Guide on Finding a Credible Interior Painter for your Home
Like most renovation projects gone wrong, a bad paint job can leave your home looking shabby and in need of repairs. Your interior’s color should reflect your personal taste, so if the result is not personalized to your liking, it can be a huge letdown.
This could potentially set you back thousands of dollars, as you’ll need someone new to repaint your home. If you want to get the job done right, the first time, then you need to find a credible company that can deliver the goods.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
Ask your friends and family for recommendations
Who better to ask for a referral than the people you know and trust? If you have friends or family who have recently used an interior painter, then they could provide you with a few leads. This saves you the hassle of doing the majority of your own research, getting the job done sooner than later.
In addition to seeing their painter’s work firsthand, they’ll also provide more insight into the person’s work ethic and character. This will give you a better idea of what to expect if you decide to hire them.
Check online review sites
Online review websites are a great resource for finding information about businesses, including house painters. By reading reviews from past clients, you’ll get a good idea of the quality of work to expect as well as their customer service skills.
Keep in mind that not all reviews are created equal, so take them with a grain of salt. To kick start your efforts, check out these review sites:
- Google Reviews
- Foursquare
Make sure the painter is licensed and insured
Ok, I can’t stress this point enough! While it can be tempting to save money by hiring an unlicensed painter, it’s simply not worth the risk. If something goes wrong during the job, you could be held liable and forced to pay for their medical bills. For example, if they fall off a ladder and get injured, you could be sued.
In addition, a licensed and insured painter will have the proper insurance to cover any damages that may occur on your property. Ask if your painter has worker’s compensation insurance and general liability insurance before any agreement is made for your paint job.
Compare work service estimates
When you’ve narrowed down your options to a few painters, it’s time for the next step: getting estimates. The estimate should include the cost of labor and materials, as well as a timeline for when the job will be completed.
Furthermore, you don’t want to automatically go with the cheapest option, as this could mean that they cut corners. A painting service may opt to use poor quality paint, or rush their work by not allowing paint to dry before adding the next coat. This will result in wall paint to peel or crack in the near future.
Interview your candidates
You’ll be surprised at how a little one to one chat can weed out the good painters from the not so good. This is your chance to ask them questions about their experience, as well as get an idea of their painting style and previous work.
Perhaps, most importantly, you’ll get to know what they’re like as contractors. Are they responsive to your questions? Do they seem like they’re trying to upsell you on services you don’t need? It’s the small details like these that can save you a fortune in service costs.
Check to see if they have a Service Guarantee
Whether you’re a painter, or a removals company, a service guarantee is always a good idea. This is a document that states the specific services that the painter will provide, and what they’ll do if something goes wrong. For example, if the job isn’t completed on time, or the final product doesn’t meet your expectations, the painter will be responsible for fixing the issue.
Not only does a service guarantee ensure you get what you pay for, but it provides an air of confidence and professionalism. If they’re willing to put a guarantee in writing, it means they’re confident in the quality of their work.
Get a Professional Quote in Writing
This is the final step in the process, and it’s perhaps the most important. By getting a professional quote in writing, you’re ensuring that both you and the painter are on the same page. This will prevent any misunderstandings or miscommunication down the road.
An official quote also prevents any unexpected costs from popping up. Make sure that the quote includes a price breakdown, as well as any materials that will be used. You’ll also want to know what charges to expect if a project encounters any unforeseen issues, ie. if the job takes longer than expected or if additional paint is required.
Conclusion
Finding the right painter for your home can be overwhelming, especially since there are so many unlicensed and uncredible painters out there. However, by following these simple tips, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance of finding a trustworthy painter. A great paint job not only looks great, but also adds curb appeal and boosts property value.
Ask the right questions, get quotes in writing, and check for insurance and guarantees. With these steps, you’re sure to find the perfect painter for your home.