6 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring an Interior Painting Contractor
Hiring a professional painting contractor is the best way to achieve long-lasting, high-quality and appealing interior paint results. When hiring a painting contractor, you not only consider expertise, but also someone you can trust in your house. Keep in mind that the contractor is going to have full access to most, if not all rooms in your house.
While most homeowners understand they need to hire painting contractors who have experience, proven past successful project, and reasonable pricing, there’re a few things that might escape you. Here are the six most common mistakes you should avoid when hiring a painting contractor for your interior painting project.
Not Hiring A Local Contractor
This doesn’t necessarily mean you should only work with painters from within your neighborhood or across the street. However, working with a painter who is based in your region or township can be quite convenient. They can easily make their way to your residence to inspect the project and issue an estimate. Additionally, it increases the chances of the painting crew making it to your place on time every day. In case of any emergency during the project, you know they’re just a few miles away.
Forgetting To Ask If They Can Really Handle Your Particular Project
Regular painting projects that involve applying paint to primed drywall can be handled by pretty much any experienced painting contractor. However, if you have some unique needs such as stripping the wallpaper before painting, painting with sheen, faux finish, log wood siding, etc., you need a painting contractor that has experience with these situations. You need someone who can do it right the very first time without a need for retouch-ups a few months down the line. So, ask your contractor if they have all the skill and experience needed by your particular project.
Not Being Clear About The Project Scope
This is one of the reasons some homeowners end up being unsatisfied by the results produced by contractors. During the project description, you need to be very clear and detailed about what you need to be done. For instance, if the paint is bubbling and peeling or if it has mold and mildew growth, they need to know this so they can come properly prepared. If you need the ceiling painted, caulking replaced or an extra finish coat applied, mention it too.
Not Checking For Insurance
Most first time homeowners make this mistake. Working with a painting contractor that doesn’t have insurance can be quite risky. Find out if the contractor has general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. These two will save you from incurring additional expenses should anything happen to your property, or the painter gets hurt during the project period. If you have any doubt, be sure to ask for proof of insurance.
Hiring The Cheapest Option
While we’re all looking to save a coin here and there, when it comes to painting services, cheap can be quite expensive in the long run. It’s very unlikely that the best painting service will come from the cheapest option on your list. Many times, cheap quotes tend to cut corners by skipping some important surface preparation processes, using fewer paint coats, applying cheap, low-quality paint products, and so on. The trick here is not to pick the cheapest quote, rather, a comprehensive quote that offers the best value for your money.
Not Putting the Contract in Writing
Your painting contractor might be likable and look trustworthy by all common standards, but whenever money is involved, you should always put things in writing. Most painting contractors will already have a drafted contract that details their contact information and credentials, and your name and address. The contract should also detail important information about the project such as the scope of work, materials and quantities, colors, project timelines, and payment schedules. If you have any specific product brands you need to be used, have this written down too.
Bottom Line
Hiring an interior painting contractor is not as difficult as you might imagine. Doing some background research is extremely important –check online reviews, verify references, and ask around where applicable. In the end, you should find a painter that is fit for your particular painting project and falls within your budget.
If you need any professional assistance painting your home’s interior in Moorestown, Mt Laurel, Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Voorhees, Evesham, Medford, or Tabernacle, contact us today. Our trained and experienced painting crew will be more than happy to offer high-quality, durable and reliable interior painting services.
By DYB Virtual