Hiring the right painting contractor can be difficult but the process can be made easier by knowing the right questions to ask. Seeing if a painting contractor is the right fit for your project should be a top priority.
So, to help you get started we’ve outlined what you should be asking potential contractors to see if they are right for you.
Tell me about your interior and exterior painting experience
When choosing the best painting contractor for your project, the more experienced they are the better. You can evaluate this based on the number of years they’ve been in the industry, or the volume of quality jobs they’ve done.
Either way, learning about their experience is an important step. You can learn more about them by:
- Asking to see a portfolio of their past work
- Asking for references
- Verifying ratings on their website
- Learning about projects they’ve done similar to yours
This will help you to see if their experience is the best fit for your project, and will verify their time in the interior and exterior painting industry.
Tell me about your team
If you were provided with an estimate for your project, you may have met one person from the team. The people painting will likely be different from the estimator, so it’s important to clarify who will be working on your home during your vetting process.
Some painting businesses subcontract work out to other painters to save on cost. While a common practice in the industry, there are some risks involved. A newer subcontracted painter team could be less experienced and could bring an inconsistent quality of work. Checking with your painting contractor beforehand will give you a better idea of who will be working on the project. Asking this type of question gives you the assurance that the team who will complete your project is vetted and trustworthy.
What materials do you use?
Quality materials are a key factor in getting quality results for your interior painting project. You want to ensure that your interior painter uses only the best for your home. Asking beforehand can help you determine if a painting contractor is right for you.
Professional painters usually have preferences and reasoning behind using the materials that they do. If you want to go deeper, you can ask:
- Why do you recommend the products that you use?
- How long have you used this brand?
- How do these compare to other brands in the industry?
A qualified painting contractor will have an answer as to what makes their chosen products and tools better than their competitors. This is what you should be looking for to ease your mind.
What is your painting process?
Being there for your project from start to finish should be a painting contractor’s top priority. While each company has its own process, it will likely include preparation, repair, painting, and some cleaning as the standard. Learning about what goes into each of these will help you to decide if the painting contractor you are considering is providing the right amount of value for you.
For example, some painting contractors may follow an extensive preparation process, but skip out on the cleaning afterward. If you don’t want to be left with a painting job that feels incomplete, this type of painting contractor would not be for you.
Are you licensed and insured?
Hiring licensed and insured painting contractors protects both you and the team. In the case of liability, insurance can protect you from having to cover costs out of pocket. It will also protect the team from potential lawsuits.
Licensed contractors have to go through training and meet rigorous standards for their certifications. This can both verify experience, and ensure you’re working with a professional painter who is willing to invest in their business and likely, invest more quality into yours.
Do you offer a warranty?
Painting contractors with warranties can back the quality of their work. If you’re concerned about the longevity of your project, asking about warranty details can provide some peace of mind. You can ask further questions like:
- What is covered by your warranty?
- What isn’t covered by your warranty?
- What is the process for evaluating a claim?
These will also give you insight into how sure the painting contractor is of their services. A confident painting contractor with a warranty clause is likely a better fit for your painting project than one without.
What is included in the estimate?
Many painting contractors provide a free quote or estimate to determine the scope of work. You want to look for a contractor who can provide accurate details on the base cost, potential additional costs, and the overall time the project will take. This will give you a better idea of how the project aligns with your budget and personal timeline, which will influence your decision.
Why Choose Us
The Ellison Painting team are experienced painting contractors who have been operating since 2016. Our expert team provides high-quality workmanship from preparation to the finish of your project. We are the best interior painting company dedicated to using only the best products to get the job done.
Whether you need interior painting, exterior painting, or cabinet painting, we are ready to partner with you for the best painting services.
We are based in Oakland, MI, and also serve County, Troy, Royal Oak, Farmington Hills, Bloomfield Township, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield Township, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Rochester.
So, if you need professional painting or refinishing services choose Ellison Painting.
Get a Free Quote
Are you looking for a painting contractor near you? Are you ready to work with a team that answers your questions the right way? Here at Ellison Painting, we’re very transparent about our processes to ensure our clients know they’re getting the best of the best. We provide support at every stage of the painting process so that you’re left with a home that looks incredible. Contact us today to get a free quote.
