Know what to look for before hiring a painting contractor
Hiring a professional painter for your next home project could save you time and money in the long run. Professional painters have the tools, skills, and safety equipment necessary to do beautiful work in a safe manner. Despite the benefits of hiring a professional, quality work and good customer service are not guaranteed. The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas offers the following tips before hiring a painting contractor:
Narrow down your search. Check BBBHouston.org, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations, and identify at least three reputable contractors to bid on the job.
Have clear expectations. Before you call a painter to get an estimate, think about your schedule and end goal. When putting together an estimate, painters will want to know what colors you have in mind, finishes you prefer, and if you want a specific brand of paint. If you aren’t sure, painters can make recommendations. In addition, make schedule coordination easier by knowing when you will be available to let painters into your home and when they need to finish work each day. If you are having the entire interior of the house painted, it may make sense to move out for a few days, as they will be able to get it done more quickly.
Get a comprehensive estimate. Professional painters provide clients with detailed estimates that include a complete breakdown of their costs and schedule. The estimate should incorporate specific costs for labor, materials, paint, travel time, and the timeframe in which the painter will complete the project. If you have questions or see anything that is missing from the estimate, discuss it with the painter before the project begins. It’s much easier to fix an estimate than change your agreement halfway through the project.
Ask questions. Asking questions will help you get clear on the painter’s experience and what is included in the cost. Some of the following questions might be helpful when you speak to a painting contractor for the first time: How long have you been painting houses and how experienced is your painting crew? Does your estimate include pressure washing outer walls and caulking and filling cracks? What kind of paint and how many coats do you recommend? What happens if paint gets on my carpet, roof tiles or concrete?
Be prepared to prep. Understand that there are certain things a painter might ask you to do to prepare for the project. For example, you may need to move furniture to the center of the room or completely out of the area. You’ll also need to remove paintings and any other wall décor, as well as switch plates and outlet covers. Painters may ask you to clean the walls before they paint using a damp sponge. In addition, you’ll want to keep any pets out of the way when paint day comes. Talk to your contractor about how much of this kind of prep work you’ll be expected to complete.
Watch out for lead. Homes that were built before 1978 may still be housing coats of lead paint. If this is the case, painters may need to take extra precautionary measures that could affect pricing and the length of the project. It’s important for the health and safety of your family that this be done properly, so do not hire anyone who suggests they can take a shortcut around required lead paint removal procedures.
Confirm clean up details. Most professional painters keep a clean working environment and handle clean up at the end of each working day and at the end of the project. However, it’s always a good idea to discuss this part of the project with the painter before they begin working. Make sure you clearly understand who is responsible for cleaning up during each phase of the project.
Make a payment plan. Never pay in full before the project begins. You may be asked to pay a portion of the fee to begin and installments at certain milestones in the project. Always withhold the final payment until you are completely satisfied with the result of your painting project and have received written confirmation that all subcontractors have been paid.
Visit www.bbbhouston.org or call 713868-9500. Leah Napoliello is BBB VP of operations. Send questions to Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail lnapoliello@bbbhou.org with address and phone number.