10 Questions to ask before you trust your paint job to anyone

Painting is one of the most important things you can do to improve the appeal and value of your home. You can be proud of a job well done, but you should never forget that it’s all about quality. Do you want to trust your painting project to just anyone? A good contractor will take pride in his/her work, but you shouldn’t just take their word for it. Precast concrete fences have all the great qualities of traditional concrete fence block wall.

Here are 10 questions you should keep in your mind before you look for professional painters and decorators:

•   Are you licensed?

Many states require contractors to be licensed and insured. Make sure your painter carries liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. Ask for proof! Most importantly, make sure they’re reputable by checking customer reviews on third-party sites like Yelp and Google.

•   What about references?

Ask for a list of references from prior customers who have had similar jobs performed on their home or business. If a painter is unwilling to provide references, run! Call each reference and ask them about their experience working with the painting contractor and if they would hire them again.

•   Do they have insurance?

Don’t take anyone’s word for it — ask them for proof of insurance. This will protect you in case someone gets injured on your property or your property is damaged during the painting process.

•   Can you see examples of their past work?

Painting is about more than just applying coats of paint to a wall — and not all painters are created equal. Ask for references and look at recent work samples before making your decision. These will help ensure that the contractor has the skill level needed to complete your project with minimal mistakes, and that their style matches what you’re looking for.

•   How many coats do you use?

A good painting contractor should make sure that the surface is properly prepared and primed before applying any finish coats. They should apply enough coats to get the job done, but not so many that they waste paint or your money. Make sure to ask how many coats they intend to apply. Three coats should do it in most cases — if it takes more than three, the contractor may be skimping on paint quality or using too little paint or both.

•   Can you guarantee me a start date?

You want to hire a painter who will start on time and finish the job quickly without creating a mess. You also want someone with whom you can communicate well and who will respond to your needs promptly. But unless you’re exceptionally lucky, you’re probably not going to find a painter who can start the very next day — so be wary of any painter who promises an unrealistically fast turnaround time.

•   Who will be doing the work?

If the company that is bidding the work is not going to be the one doing the work, who will? Many times, when a painting contractor bids a job, their estimate goes to an insurance company for approval. The insurance company then hires someone else who may or may not have the same experience or values as the original contractor. Oftentimes, the contract with this new painter is based on cost rather than quality so they cut corners to make a profit. This can result in substandard workmanship, increased headaches and additional expenses for everyone involved.

•   How long have you been in business?

Just because a contractor has been in business for many years does not necessarily mean he’s any good at what he does, but it certainly makes it more likely. At Five Star Painting, all of our painters are full-time employees who receive extensive training and specialize in painting homes and businesses.

•   Do you carry liability insurance and workers’ compensation?

If the contractor doesn’t carry these coverages, any accident that happens on your property could result in a lawsuit against you personally. Five Star Painting carries both general liability insurance and workman’s compensation to protect our customers from such problems.

•   What is included in the contract?

Before hiring a painter, ask for a contract detailing the work they will perform and what material costs are included. Contracts should also include completion dates and details about getting the paint job done in the weather conditions expected at that time of year. If a contractor seems hesitant about providing this information, don’t hire them for the job.