Painting has the power to transform the interior spaces in your home. Doing it on your own might not achieve the desired results especially if you’re looking at putting the house in the market. Working with the wrong contractor could also prove costly as you may have to redo the job if it was done poorly. That is why it is crucial you get an experienced contractor who will ensure that final delivery is of exceptional quality. There are some key attributes that painting company should possess and we are going to highlight some of them. Here are the considerations that you should have in mind before you hire a painting contractor.
Insurance
It might feel a little bit weird asking the painting contractor if they have insurance but is an important requirement. Even though an accident is not likely to happen, you don’t want to be liable when it does. Ask if they have both worker’s compensation and liability insurance in case there is damage to property. Ask for proof for both insurance before you begin working with the contractor. A homeowner’s insurance will not be enough in such circumstances.
License
There are states that require that a painting contractor is licensed. The license could be for residential or commercial painting. The scope of the job will determine the type of license that is needed. You can cross check the validity of the license online. Make sure to also check if there are any complaints about the contractor when validating the license.
References
A contractor who has nothing to hide will be more than willing to provide the references. You should be worried when the contractor balks when asked about the references. This could be a signal that you need to move to another contractor as you may be dealing with someone who is no legitimate. You will know you’re working with a trustworthy company if they provide the references without you asking. Talk to a client who has recently worked with the contractor as they’re in the best position to assess the services. You can also talk to someone who worked with the contractor a while ago to determine the reliability of the service.
Materials
The materials that are going to be used is also a big consideration when choosing a painting contractor. Poor quality materials will not last long. The painting contractor should also be using environmentally friendly products that don’t have an adverse effect on the inhabitants of the home and the surrounding vegetation. Cheap painting products rarely last and an experienced contractor is well aware of this fact. In addition to the materials, you should ask the contractor how they do the prep work as it is important in getting high-quality finishing. Ideally, you should be asking how they intend to repair the current damages like mildew, flaking, rough edges, and holes on the wall.
Warranty and Guarantee
A good company should be able to stand behind their work as they are confident that they have done a great job. A reputable company is likely to offer between 1 to 3 years of warranty on their work. It is important to ensure that the warranty covers both the material and the labor as you don’t want to be paying extra should anything happen. The warranty should be in writing with all the exclusions clearly stated before you start working with a painting contractor.
Training and Safety
There will be a couple of people in your home when the work is ongoing. Since you’re inviting them into your living space, it is crucial that they can be trusted. Ask the contractor if they run a criminal background check on their workers. It might not be a good idea to work with someone who uses subcontractors for the work. This is because the contractor will not be in a position to vouch for their trustworthiness.
Are there any additional ongoing training for the employees? The contractor should keep the employees aware of new procedures and techniques in doing the work.
To sum it up, the contractor that you choose will be part of your life for a long time. You will need them from time to time as there is bound to be repairs to be done in the home. It is therefore important that you choose someone you get along with and can trust to do an excellent job. Take your time when doing the vetting as choosing the wrong contractor can be costly.