Painting your home is one of the easiest ways to improve the look and boost the value of your property. While this is a common DIY home improvement project that many homeowners engage in, if you’ve never done it before and you’re considering taking on the challenge, you should know that it can be a tedious and time-consuming task.
If you don’t think you have the time, patience, and skills to paint your home on your own, the fastest and most hassle-free way of accomplishing this is to hire a painting company. These professional painters can get the job done right the first time– that is, if you choose the right contractor to trust.
So in this article, we will share some of the most important factors to consider before hiring a painter.
Recommendations from family and friends, as well as positive online reviews
Probably the best way to determine if your shortlisted painting contractors indeed have excellent skills is to hear from those who have had previous experience in working with them.
Ask for recommendations from people you trust and find out about their experience and what they like most about working with a particular company. If you didn’t get any recommendations by asking around, do your research and check for online reviews. You would generally want to hire a painting company that has a good reputation and a proven track record of satisfied clients.
However, keep in mind that there are always two sides to every story, and not everything you read online is true. So take these online reviews with a grain of salt and perform due diligence to find out if the painting contractor is indeed as good as its online reputation.
A trustworthy company would be willing to provide references from satisfied clients. So take the time to contact these references to get a sense of what it’s like to work with the professional painter in question.
Strong qualifications and expertise in the area
Before hiring a painting company, you should interview multiple candidates to learn about their qualifications and experience. Obviously, you’re hiring a pro because you want the painting job to be done perfectly, and the painter’s experience will surely reflect in the quality of their work.
Other questions that you should ask the painter during the interview include:
- Do you have the proper licenses and permits?
- Are you insured and bonded?
- Do you offer any warranties?
- Do you subcontract work or everything is done by your team?
- What products do you use?
If possible, request for their portfolio and see if they have done a similar project before. This will make you more confident that they know how to handle the specific job that you require.
Detailed estimates in writing
As mentioned earlier, you should consider multiple painting companies for the job. It is recommended to narrow down your choices to around three contractors.
Once you have a list, contact them to request for estimates. Make sure that you’ve discussed your requirements and the scope of the project clearly– which rooms and outdoor space need to be painted.
Read Also: How to Market Your Painting Business
Choose a painting company that can provide you with a detailed estimate that includes important information such as their company’s contact information, total cost of the project including taxes, the scope, paint specifications, project timeline, and terms and conditions.
When choosing which one to work with, make sure that your decision is not solely based on the price. While we understand that you want to save, go for the one that provides the greatest value and consider factors such as the company’s track record for completing jobs on time.
Warranty the painting contractor offers
Another important factor to look for when hiring a painting company is the warranty they offer. It is advisable to choose a painter that offers at least a one-year warranty, as issues usually arise within the first year.
If you notice that they are somewhat avoiding warranties and are not providing you with a copy of the terms and conditions, take this as a red flag and be careful in dealing with this type of company.
Also, before signing any contract or legally binding agreement, make sure that you read carefully and important things such as warranties are detailed in writing.
Final Thoughts
Not all painters are created equal. However, with the hundreds of painting contractors in the city, we know how difficult it is to find one that suits your needs and budget best.
If you want to save time in looking for the best painting company in New York, you might want to check out Soho Painters. We offer both residential and commercial painting, as well as other services such as drywall installation, custom murals, wallpapering, venetian plaster, and power washing.
Get in touch with us to find out more about our services or to request for a free quote.
