Before beginning a painting project, it’s important to ask the potential company you are hiring questions about their business. Here are some critical questions to ask your painting company to help you decide the correct company for you.
- Do you require payment upfront?
While there isn’t a right answer to this question, it can give you a look into how stable of a company you are hiring. An upfront payment could mean that the painter needs the money to pay last month’s bills and may be in a hurry to finish the job so that he will have the funds to pay his workers. A good approach to paying is to make a partial payment after a couple days of work and the rest of the payment after the job is done.
- Are you licensed and insured?
Professional painters are required to have a state-issued license. Licensed painters can be fined or sued if they do a poor job. You want to hire a painter who has a comprehensive liability insurance policy, that includes workers comp. This will provide you with protection in case someone gets injured on site.
- What protection equipment do you use?
Professional painters are required to wear safety equipment while on the job. This includes goggles, gloves, coveralls, and other garments or pieces of equipment that will protect the worker from injury or infection.
- Do you use subcontractors?
Sometimes, a company will hire subcontractors instead of having their own staff. This can create a number of risks for you. Often, background checks are not performed on subcontractors. In addition, if they go unpaid, a subcontractor can file a mechanic’s lien against your property, which potentially can cause you to pay extra for the service.
- How will my stuff be protected?
You want to ensure that your stuff, including furniture, floors, and other fixtures, are protected throughout the whole project. The furniture should be moved away from the walls before painting begins and covered. Dropcloths should be used to protect your possessions. A dropcloth will absorb any paint spills.
- What kind of prep work will you be doing?
There is a lot of prep that needs to be done before your walls can get painted. This can include removing stains, caulking cracks, repairing drywall, and more, which can take up to one-third of the time spent for your paint job. Some companies will offer intensive prep-work, while others will offer none at all.
- Do you provide all supplies?
Typically, you’re responsible for purchasing your own paint and the company will take care of everything else. Some painters, however, will offer lower prices but will not provide basic supplies such as dropcloths and paintbrushes and paint rollers. Purchasing these items on your own can make the job more expensive than other higher quotes from companies that have their own supplies.
Comments are closed.