Finding the right painting service for residential painting tasks can sometimes be a challenge. One of the main concerns is whether or not they are going to provide you with high quality workmanship that will stand the test of time. In most cases, quality means higher costs but paying more does not guarantee quality. This dilemma has resulted in tremendous growth in the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) market.
Many people, however, choose not to undertake such projects, either because of their distaste for such work, their lack of time, or because they feel unqualified to achieve satisfactory results. So they decide to find a painting service for their residential painting projects.
If you have decided to hire a painting service or individual professional house painters to take care of the painting you need done, you are in good company. It is worth the effort to learn how to choose the right painting contractor to ensure that you get the quality results you pay for. After all, you are paying for the service and you will have to live with the results for some time to come or pay to get it “undone.”
Here are some suggestions to make choosing the painting service go more smoothly.
Before painting, the surface needs to be properly prepared. Depending on the area to be painted, this may mean anything from cleaning the surface with a cleaning solution to doing drywall repair or simply sweeping the corners to remove cobwebs.
The painting service you hire should already be prepared to do this. Both the experience and skills of each painting service you are considering should be evident when they discuss this phase of your project. Listen intently as they discuss the steps necessary to complete the “prep” aspect. This will give you a quick measurement of their knowledge and professionalism. If they shortcut this step, your paint job will not be professional.
Some of the other things you must be willing to learn in order to properly evaluate painting service performance involves knowledge about the materials that they will be using and what’s involved in their use. Some painters purchase all supplies, including the paint. Others specify that the homeowner is responsible for making paint purchases. In the latter case, the painting service tells the homeowner how much paint to buy and when it will be needed.
In either case, it is in your interest to know about the paint: brand, type, and warranty. The advent of paints with “built-in” primer is a major step forward. They ensure better coverage and are generally more durable, but they also cost slightly more. If you are making the purchase, you can choose your preferred quality, but if the painting service is making the choice, you may need to specify brand.
Another thing that you should ask about is feedback from their previous clients. Are they happy with the work that was done for them? A good service will be happy to provide you with names of past clients who are happy with their work products.
One thing few homeowners inquire about but should is whether or not the painting contractor gives a warranty for their work. If yes, what are the terms and conditions? In case the client isn’t satisfied with the service due to certain defects, warranties provide some measure of assurance in getting the issue resolved. In most cases warranties cover a period of one year.
Once you find a painting service that offers the quality service you desire at a price that is acceptable and their references “check out,” you are ready to make the hiring decision.
Make sure you sign a contract that specifies what you have mutually agreed upon. This should include the work that will be performed by the painting service, the amount you will pay them along with the amounts and timetables of the payments. It should speak to the issue of their insurance and/or bonding. You must be certain they are fully insured so as to cover breakages to your property as well as injury to themselves.
If you have any reservations about the language of the contract, you should seek advice from a licensed attorney. You want to make sure you fully understand everything to avoid any future surprises. The contracts should always remain clear and understandable.
Want to simplify the process of engaging a professional painting service at very reasonable prices? Just contact us, Just Paint Painters, by using the Contact Form on this page or for quicker response, call us at the number on the right. Just Paint Painters… get expert results at rock bottom prices.
Tags: choosing a painter, residential painting service