Finding a Good Painting Contractor
Few home improvements can be as zestful as a fresh layer of paint. A paint job can actually transform your home in an instant! Certainly, if you want the best results, you should hire a professional to do it. Painting may look like a simple job, but it’s not. If you live in a home built before 1978, it may still be covered in lead-based paint, and that is something that must be taken care of by an expert.
If you’re ready to hire a professional house painter, let the following tips help you:
Written Estimate
Ask your prospective painter to provide an estimate on your project. Obviously, he has to visit your home while you walk him through your expectations. Be very particular when it comes to colors and if possible, show paint samples. If you’re uncertain, ask the painter to help you.
License and Insurance
As soon as you’ve found a few prospects, ask each if they are licensed (if required by the state where you live in) and insured. A license is no assurance that your project will be successful, but it does increase the odds. Of course, insurance frees you from liability, in case somebody hurts themselves on the job.
Previous Projects Client References
Researching painters online will likely lead you to lots of pictures of their past projects. Don’t trust these images completely however. Ask the painter instead to bring you to at least two projects (must be similar to yours) they’ve done no later than three years ago. It’s important to see how the materials and colors used held over time.
Checking references is important if you’re looking for a good house painter. You’ll want to know the quality of work your prospect is capable of, straight from the mouths of those who have hired him before. If a painter refuses to give references, that’s a sign that you need to find another prospect. Don’t forget to check out online reviews too, especially if the painter was not personally recommended to you.
Contract
The contract you have with a house painter should to be very detailed. All the pertinent information should be included, including the project’s start and end dates, materials to be used and a cost breakdown, and the schedule of payments. Even the paint manufacturer’s name, color, grade, etc. should be mentioned, along with where the paints will be applied and how many coats should be applied. The contract will have to specify the application of a primer too. Lastly, it should be stated in the document that the painter is responsible for cleaning up.