1. CHOOSE A PAINTER WITH EXPERIENCE.
Whether you believe in Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 Hours philosophy or not, more time working on a craft usually leads to better technical skills, increased knowledge levels, and most importantly, a longer list of all the mistakes you shouldn’t make. While experience isn’t everything, it’s important to keep in mind when choosing a painter. You wouldn’t want a rookie tackling your $10,000 painting project, would you?
Years of experience, positive online reviews, and a photo galley of painting work are three things that should be at the top of your wishlist when choosing a painter. It means your painters are smart enough and talented enough to keep a client base and stand the test of time.
2. CHOOSE A PAINTER WITH PROPER LEGAL LICENSES AND INSURANCE.
You’re not hiring a true professional painter if they don’t have a state-issued license, workers’ compensation insurance, and general liability insurance. These credentials prove that your painter is qualified for the job, and that they can protect their employees and your home if something were to go wrong on the job.
Actions speak louder than words on this front. Your painter can tell you they carry insurance, but if they truly have insurance, they’ll have no problem showing the proper documentation to you. They won’t blow you off, and they certainly won’t tell you they “can’t seem to find” the documents at the moment. If a painter pulls any of these tricks on you, it’s time to find a new one.
3. Choose a painting company that does the prep work
Prep work is what separates a good paint job from a great one. By sanding, stripping, cleaning, priming, and taping, your painters are setting the stage for a coat of paint that has clean lines and stands up to the elements.
Unfortunately, not all painting contractors take the time and effort to prep for a great paint job. They’d rather cut corners so they can charge the same price and get the job done quicker. This can lead to a paint job that is uneven, rough around the edges, or susceptible to premature aging.
Not sure if a painting company does all the right prep work? Ask them. A good painting company will know their prep work processes inside and out, and they won’t hesitate to list of them off to you if you put them on the spot.
4. CHOOSE A PAINTER WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE.
If your dentist couldn’t answer basic questions about oral health or dental work, you’d sprint out of that office before they picked up a dental tool. So why would trust a painter if they didn’t have the knowledge to get the job done right?
There’s nothing wrong with vetting a painter before hiring them. Ask them plenty of specific and theoretical questions about painting techniques, the best paint for your home, and how they take care of blemishes in current paint jobs. Their answers will give you an idea of their level of expertise, which is much more valuable than claims and ad copy on their website.
5. CHOOSE A PAINTING CONTRACTOR WITH A REASONABLE (NOT LOW) PRICE.
There’s a sweet spot when it comes to the price of hiring a painter. Some painters will use the cheapest paints, inexperienced employees, and lightning-fast painting techniques so they can offer the most affordable service possible — and if this is the route you choose, you’ll definitely get what you pay for. Other painters will charge exorbitant prices under the mask of “luxury painting services” or “the best painting products in the industry.” While using high-quality paints is important, there’s nothing luxurious about professional painting. We all put our pants on one leg at a time, and we put our paints on one coat at a time. Ultimately, the final product you get from a luxury painter won’t justify the cost.
The best option for any homeowner lies somewhere in between: a painter that uses high-quality products and standard painting services for a reasonable, mid-range price. You’ll avoid the cost cutters and the price gougers, and you’ll end up with a great paint job when it’s all said and done.
6. CHOOSE A PAINTER WITH QUALITY GUARANTEES.
Does your painter offer some sort of quality guarantee or warranty that’s backed by the company itself or the paint manufacturer? If not, you’re setting yourself up for headaches in the future. The best painting companies have hassle-free warranties, meaning they’ll come out and take care of any problems you’re having without a fuss. It’s excellent customer service that transcends any sort of warranty.
7. CHOOSE LOCAL PAINTERS WITH A SOLID ONLINE REPUTATION.
It’s important to look at online reviews and overall business ratings with a careful, even skeptical, eye. Consumers are more likely to leave to leave negative reviews to relieve some frustrations than they would be to praise companies with positive reviews — it makes consumers sound ungrateful, but it’s true.
Don’t worry if a painting company is lacking the perfect, five-star rating you desire. There will always be people leaving negative reviews. However, if you notice a series of negative reviews that allude to a certain pattern of behavior, it might be best to move on to the next painter on your list.
8. CHOOSE A PAINTER WITH EXPERIENCE IN Rhode island.
Travelling painters will go to the ends of the earth for an expensive paint job — they’re more concerned with making money or boosting profits, and less with fixing mistakes or providing excellent customer service. For the best paint job possible, you need a painter who has serviced your area for years — someone who cares about making your community a better place to be.