There are home improvement projects that definitely need a professional to achieve the desired results. When hiring a painter, you have to make a few basic issues. After all, not all of them are the same.
Finding Prospects
In general, it’s best to hire a local painter because they are likely to be more conscious about their work outcomes compared to national franchises. With only unhappy customer, their reputation in the community can suffer! Though paint contractors usually focus on painting, some accept associated projects like wallpapering, plaster repairs, etc.
Note that there is one potentially challenging part of hiring a painting contractor: getting them to show up. In most cases, this is due to a high demand of work, but professional is professional. Very importantly, they have to provide a detailed written cost estimate and project timeline before getting started.
Definitely, you’ll want to learn as much as you can regarding local painters, and the Internet is often your largest resource for this. But when you’re not satisfied with the information you gleaned, approach your neighbors and ask for referrals. Also, contractors sometimes display signs on the lawns of homes where they’re currently working, or sometimes, you will just find a panel van outside. In any case, do talk to your neighbor and ask them how they find the contractor’s services.
Another source of leads could be local magazines where renovated homes are featured. You will probably find names and contact details of the people behind these projects, but be warned – they are often pricey to hire.
Talking to the House Painter
Unlike speaking to a an electrician or plumber, there is no need for you to know technical lingo. Be sure to ask for details, like how much the paint will cost, what particular type or types of paint they plan to use, how many coats should be applied, and how they will secure areas that must not be painted.
And don’t forget to ask if you have to move the family out temporarily while work is ongoing.
Calculating Your Total Costs
Some painting contractors use specific formulas for computing your overall cost. For example, they will determine total square footage by adding the square footage of the walls and ceilings, and the linear footage of the trim. They will look into preparation time as well, plus primer and paint “hard costs.”
They might also base their estimate on jobs they’ve done previously. Although this estimate is not very specific, it is usually a good figure to start with. To determine whether this is a good estimate, ask other contractors to provide quotes, and make comparisons.