Take a few minutes to read this article, and you could save both time and money by avoiding a bad contracting experience. In reality, the quality of painting services offered by contractors can vary widely, and many untrained, unlicensed, and unqualified individuals and firms are passing themselves off as professionals. In many cases, homeowners and contractors are so focused on “how much” that they fail to take into account other factors. As a result, they may end up working with the wrong contractor.
In this article, we’ve put together 10 questions that can help you rapidly distinguish between legitimate contractors and those that should be avoided.
1. Do you have insurance?
Painting contractors should have two these insurance:
- Comprehensive Business Liability, which protects your property from damage by the contractor. The bare minimum in terms of liability insurance for a painting contractor is probably $1 million in coverage.
- Workmen’s Compensation, which protects the workers and you (from liability), while they are working on your property. Many contractors may try to work without workers’ compensation since it is so expensive.
It’s in your best interest as a customer to engage with a contractor that has these insurances in place. The insurance company can be called to verify that a contractor’s coverage is current and active.
2. What brands and grades of paint will you use?
The quality of paint is critical since it determines how long it will last and how it will appear. There are a variety of coatings available for use on different projects and areas within your house. A reputable painting contractor should be able to describe the types of paint they intend to use. They should also utilize high-quality painting materials, so don’t forget to inquire about caulk and other items.
3. What kind of training do your employees receive?
Inquire about the team’s training prior to selecting a painting service. Proper training helps avoid costly errors, expedites the completion of your project, and ensures quality outcomes. Ascertain that your contractor employs just the most qualified personnel with the appropriate training and expertise for the task.
4. Do you have any safety protocol or training?
Along with training on painting techniques and supplies, it is critical that the firm you select offers its worker’s safety training. This is critical even if the contractor carries the required insurance, as follows:
- Accidents in the workplace are extremely disruptive, causing work to be delayed or even halted entirely.
- Whether or not an accident occurs, risky work practices can result in property damage.
The ideal case is to prevent accidents altogether, which is most likely to occur if the contractor takes safety seriously. This may involve the development of a written safety policy handbook, frequent safety training, and an overall culture of safe work practices.
5. Do you have a list of references I can contact?
Regardless of how assured you are that a contractor is capable of painting your home, you should always request a list of references prior to hiring. Reputable painting businesses will always be able to provide you with a list of references to demonstrate their competence. When you contact the references, inquire about their satisfaction with the painting services and the team’s behavior on the project.
6. Can you provide me with a free quote prior to beginning the project?
Before your painting contractor begins work, verify that they provide you with a reasonable quote for the job. You want to ensure that their services are within your budget so that you are not surprised when the task is completed. The most reputable painting businesses will always provide a complimentary estimate.
7. How will you prepare my house for painting?
The quality of a paint job is determined by the extent to which your property has been prepared for painting. Priority should be given to repairing damaged siding, holes in wood, and peeling paint. Scraping, sanding, and/or priming surfaces ensures that the surface is prepared to retain the paint and contributes to the long-lasting durability of a good paint job.
Inquire of prospective painting contractors what work they are willing to perform to prepare the exterior of your property prior to painting. Additionally, ensure that their estimate includes preliminary work.
8. What does your cleaning process entail?
Once you’ve determined that a painting contractor is qualified for the task, you’ll want to ensure that they’re also a pleasant person to deal with. The question whether the workers will clean up after themselves once they have completed their task on your property. Although this should be self-evident, it never hurts to inquire. You’d be astonished at what some individuals attempt to conceal.
9. Do you offer any type of warranty or guarantee?
If you engage a painting contractor, you’ll want reassurance in the form of guarantees or warranties. What is a reasonable warranty in which you may place your trust? What to look for in an excellent warranty:
- One-year guarantees are popular and acceptable, assuming the job is performed properly. The majority of paint failures will manifest themselves during the first year. Warranty periods of between two and three years are also typical. Above that, you should carefully read the tiny print.
- A reputable contractor’s warranty will cover both labor and material for a covered problem.
- While paint manufacturers may give longer guarantees on their products, these warranties only cover material replacement.
- Because most warranties have exclusions, it is critical to ascertain precisely what the contractor’s guarantee covers and does not cover.
- Warranties should always be written and easily accessible to you.
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We take pride in being one of the best painters in Florida. Our team of professionals pays exceptional attention to every project detail and gets the job done fast and competently.
Discover and learn more about painting services, contact Smith Plastering at 239-594-7537, or message us online today!
