If you are looking to make a real change to your home but don’t want to shell out for a contractor, then painting can be a great way to go. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can do the job yourself the same as a pro.
When hiring a painting contractor, there are more than a few things to consider. Know what prep work should be done before you start hiring. From there, vet any of the companies that you are considering. Reviews tell the tale of what kind of painting company you may be hiring.
What to Look for
There are more than a few professional painting services out there to consider. So, how do you decide which one is the right one for your needs? Well, that can start by considering a few essential factors. Here are the things to look for when considering a professional painting company.
1. Online Reviews
You can’t hope to understand how a painting company operates without knowing what prior customers think. The best way to get an authentic, candid look into a painting company is through reviews on third-party websites.
On third-party websites, reviewers are far less likely to sugarcoat things. You can get a more direct indication of their service, how customers enjoyed the experience, what they wish would have been done differently, etc. In some cases, the companies can even respond to comments to provide clarification about a situation or even a follow-up where they offer to rectify mistakes.
If you can’t find much in reviews about a company, consider it a major red flag. You will also want more detailed studies. This is where former customers detail their experience, not just leave a single sentence about what happened.
2. The Company Website
There is nothing better to finding out about a painting company than checking out their website. After all, this is the first glance that most customers will have into their business. There are a few things to look at when viewing their website.
For starters, check out their portfolio. Any company worth its salt should have a list of past projects. These projects should feature a plethora of different photos showcasing the company’s abilities. Images should be closed up and highly detailed for clarification.
This should also show whether the company uses safe materials and follows proper safety protocols. Look for any pictures that show the experience of the company in question.
Finally, there should be a staff or crew page. This is important from a security standpoint. It is a great way to know which technicians are working for the company versus someone who may not be what they seem.
3. A Thorough Walkthrough
When you are getting a quote or talking to the company in question, they will undoubtedly take time to check out the property and see what the project looks like. If they don’t ask to see it or make the walkthrough a quick one, how can they thoroughly understand what the project entails?
The more time the contractor spends with you and asks questions about your home, the better prepared, they can be to tackle the project. It will also allow them to craft a more accurate estimate, helping you get as precise an idea about the entire project’s cost.
4. Look for Line Items
Any company out there can provide an estimate. And for the most part, that is all most people require. But do you know what is included in that estimate, or are you just making general assumptions?
Take the time to look for line-item details that correspond with the hours spent on them and the rates. There are some less than reputable painting contractors out there who may slip in some fees here and there without explaining what they may be.
There should be a thorough description of what materials will be used – tarps, covers, taping, etc. – and remove dust or fumes caused by the paint. When there are specific line items, you can get a better idea of where your money is within that estimate.
5. A Follow-Up
The best of the best will not only do the job but will follow up to ensure that you are satisfied with the work done. Most of the painting contractors you will come across do the job, which is the end of the road.
But there are times when something may not look right, or a follow-up is required to provide the utmost quality. Following up with the painting company can demonstrate their dedication to the job and ensure that you are happy with how the project looks.
6. What Painting Services Do They Offer?
While all of the other things are important to hiring a painting contractor, it all comes down to the type of services that they offer. A great painting company can provide everything listed above but might not have the services that you need to make your home look and feel as you imagined.
Check out what services they have. Most companies offer both interior and exterior painting services. This is ideal because you can have your entire home painted both inside and out. But if you are looking for a specific type of painting, it helps to know what kind of services the company in question can offer.
The Last Word on Painting
There are plenty of quality painters out there to choose from. With a little bit of effort and vetting, you can find a painting contractor that will get the job done right and do it safely and in a transparent manner.
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