6 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Residential Painting Service
If parts of your home need a paint job, you should know your options for contractors. Ask these questions before choosing a residential painting service.
Tired of looking at the same color walls for years now? Maybe you just moved in and don’t agree with the previous owner’s taste. Either way, when you’re ready to paint your home, it should be taken seriously.
Your home is one of your biggest investments. It’s also a representation of you. If you’re going to paint your home, whether it be the interior or exterior of it, the last thing you want to do is leave it looking worst than when you started.
A reputable residential painting service will ensure your home’s paint looks professional and meets all of your standards. Finding the right painting service takes a bit of effort, however. You’ll want to know the right questions to ask to ensure you’re finding a reputable service.
Continue reading below for the top questions you should ask before hiring a painting service!
1. How Much Experience Do You Have?
Before you bring in a team of painters to repaint your home, you should first ask how much experience they have. How many years have they been in business, and do they have experience painting homes? Painting a home can be much different than painting a commercial business, so you want a team of painters who has experience in residential painting.
Be sure to head online and check out what reviews they have as well. See what other people are saying about the painting services they received from the same team. The reviews will give you an idea of what you can expect from your own experience.
2. Is There a Free Estimate?
You should then ask about a free estimate or quote. Your team of painters might not be able to give you an exact amount due for the services before completing the painting, but they should be able to give you an estimate of the costs. Having an estimate is a good way to start budgeting the cost.
You should then ask what’s included in the estimate. The prep work, the painting services, and all of the supplies and other fees should be included in the estimate. Also, be sure to have the estimate given in person, so the team can see what the job looks like.
3. Are There References and Credentials?
Looking up reviews is one way to see what past customers are saying, but you should also ask for references and what credentials they have. A reputable team will have a few references to give you. Once you’re given these references, be sure to contact them and speak with them about the service they received.
There are also a few credentials that the team should have as well. Does the team you want to hire have proper insurance? Insurance is essential so you’re not responsible for any accidents that might happen on your property.
Especially for exterior house painting, ask what their warranty is. You want to make sure they stand behind the quality of their work and the materials used. Does the team have their business license? Are they accredited with the Better Business Bureau? The team also needs to have the proper certifications and training to complete the job.
4. Are Prepping and Cleaning Done?
A team of painters is coming into your home to completely revamp a room or maybe the entire house. Either way, there’s a lot of work to be done. Ask the team if there’s any prepping and cleaning involved before and after the painting process. If your house is 20 years or older you might have some wood rot that you don’t see. This is why it is best to hire a painter that has a carpenter on staff that can repair anything they find. This is typically a water damage that really needs to get fits as part of the painting project.
Ask the painter about their preperation process. For an exterior project, do the remove the downspout, fixtures and shutters as part of prep? I have seen painters leave them up and painter around them – that is not a quality job. What is their process for scrapping and sanding the exterior? How do they protect your gardens or shrubs around the house? For an interior job, will the team come in and cover any furniture that needs protection and move certain pieces out of the way?
If not, you’ll need to know this information so you can tackle the job before having the team come in. The cleaning process is also important. Will the team clean up after finishing the project or will you be left to clean it up after they leave?
5. What Will the Process Look Like?
Don’t forget to ask what the process will look like. You want a quality job with the least disruption to your life. Ask about the materials they use. What brand of paint or stain do they like to work with? Make sure it is a quality brand like Benjamin Moore or Sherman Williams versus just the cheapest priced – this matters. Do they use a sprayer as well as brush and roller? Sprayers can be tricky, used wrong they will make a mess. How long will the project take to complete? What time in the morning will the team arrive, and when will they leave?
Do you need to stay clear of the area while the team is working or will you be able to access the room while they’re painting it? These are all questions you need to ask so you can plan accordingly.
6. Do You Have a Portfolio?
A good team that’s been in business for quite some time and who has experience under the belt should also have a portfolio to share with you. Ask the team about past projects they’ve done and if they have pictures to show you.
You can also check on their website to see if they have pictures or a portfolio listed in there. Looking at pictures of past projects will give you a good idea of what to expect from the team. If their past projects look like they’re up to your standards, then you can have some peace of mind when it comes time to hire them.
It’s Time to Hire Residential Painting Service Today
Your home is your pride and joy. You want it to look as breathtaking as possible. Freshening it up with a new paint job is a great way to make your home feel new, but you’ll need the right team to help you, of course.
Use this guide to ensure you ask all the right questions when searching for the best residential painting service for your home.
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