Looking for a painting contractor for your home can be overwhelming, especially if you tend to be picky with the people you hire. And of course, you should be! You pay them money, and you need to pay the right person right off the bat. Otherwise, you will end up spending more to redo a bad job. Not to mention dealing with the inconvenience of disrupting your daily routine for longer.
Your Needs
Before you can find the right house painting contractor, you have to know what exactly you want them to do. Do you want them to repaint your home interior or exterior? Are there existing issues (for example, worn siding) that must be addressed before the paint job? Again, unless you know how this project should go, you can’t be sure about hiring the right guy.
Credentials
Once you have a few contractors listed down, find out their credentials. Start by checking if they are licensed to do business in your state. Know whether they have liability as well as worker’s compensation insurance. Remember, unless the painter is insured, you will probably end up footing medical or repair costs in case of injury or property damage. If they tell you they’re licensed and insured, don’t stop there. Ask for proof. Anyone can say anything these days.
Research
Once you’re happy with their credentials, get to know them more by exploring their website. Read about their history and experience, and check for photos of their latest work. Take time to scan through their social media pages and get a feel for how they deal with their customers or potential customers. What matters here is consistency. You want to be sure they treat their customers right as a habit and not just on occasion. Of course, family members, friends, colleagues and neighbors can also be good sources of house painter leads. In fact, this is probably the best route – people you know won’t likely mislead you.
Online Reviews
If you’re interested in a painter you met without a recommendation, or you just want to be extra sure anyway, read online reviews about them. Be careful though as many websites offer biased, if not totally manufactured testimonials. Stick to reputable consumer websites instead like the Yellow Pages, Yelp, Angie’s List, and of course, your local Better Business Bureau. While reading through reviews, keep in mind that even the most legit companies get some bad feedback from time to time. Again, consistency is key. If you see a common theme in the negative comments, such as poor work quality or undelivered promises, take heed.
Estimates
If someone offers you a quote over the phone without having seen your home, be wary. Make sure they make time to come down and see the site. This should be a perfect opportunity for you to know them on a more personal level, which is very important. Ask them as many useful questions as you can! How long have they been in business? How many homes did they paint within the year? Will they give you a written warranty? Can they provide references? If the answer to those last two questions is no, find another contractor. Your gut will more or less tell you what questions to ask, depending on your needs. Listen to it.
Making a Choice
At the end of the day, you want to choose someone who is a true professional – experienced, competent, honest, and easy to deal with. Of course, the cost of hiring them should also fit your budget. Compare those estimates you received from different contractors, but don’t make it all about the price. If you have to pay a little more for superb quality, go for it.