Like all home improvement tasks, interior and exterior painting require a certain level of training and acquired skill. While any contractor can apply a coat of paint, not all of them provide the same level of service and deliver professional results. Homeowners who want to get the most for their money can read on to find some tips for choosing the right san diego painters.
Get Recommendations
Any painting company that has been in business for a few years should have an established reputation. Asking around for recommendations or turning to the internet for referrals can help homeowners find painters who have a reputation for excellence.
Do Some Research
Homeowners shouldn’t just choose the first painting company they find, even if it comes highly recommended. Getting a few recommendations is just a start. Now, it’s time for homeowners to do their due diligence. Check the company’s website, see if the contractors are licensed, make sure they carry comprehensive insurance policies, and find out what previous clients have to say on third-party review sites to verify claims.
Check the Portfolio
Good contractors are proud of their work. They usually have portfolios of before-and-after photos on their websites, but don’t despair if there aren’t any examples of the company’s work. Just ask the contractor to provide some photos and review them to see if they exhibit the levels of professionalism and attention to detail homeowners expect when hiring a painting company.
Verify Licenses and Insurance
Don’t take local painting contractors’ word for it that they are licensed and insured. Ask for proof and make sure everything is up-to-date. The company should have both comprehensive business liability insurance and workers compensation insurance to cover anything that could go wrong while its contractors are hard at work.
Ask the Right Questions
Once homeowners have narrowed down the list of potential candidates to two or three companies, they should plan to interview the painting contractors. Asking the right questions is important. Most clients remember to ask about pricing and contractors’ experience levels, but it’s also worth requesting references, making sure the work won’t be subcontracted to amateurs, asking about project timelines, and finding out if the company offers a warranty.
Compare Estimates
Homeowners should make sure they’re comparing apples to apples when they request estimates. Ask the same questions when interviewing contractors, and make sure to lay out the same set of expectations. Each estimate should include:
- labour costs
- material costs
- a time frame for project completion
- indirect costs
When the companies provide estimates, compare the proposals to make sure each of the contractors uses the same quality of materials and performs the same level of preparation and finish work. It will make choosing the right company much easier.
Review the Contract
Once homeowners have chosen who to trust with painting their houses, they should review the contract carefully before signing on the dotted line. It should include written estimates, warranty information, workday start and end times, preparation and cleanup details, and payment expectations. If anything is missing, let the contractor know and don’t sign the contract until the issue has been addressed.
Final Thoughts
Painting a house is hard, but finding a reputable contractor to get the work done shouldn’t be. As long as homeowners follow the tips above, they should wind up with a contractor who is perfectly capable of getting the job done right, on-time, and within the established budget.
