How to Choose House Painters: 9 Questions to Ask Before You Hire
· By Sergio Pereira
Most homeowners hire a painter only a few times in their lives, so it is hard to know what separates a good one from a risky one. Price is the easiest thing to compare and the least useful on its own. These nine questions will tell you much more.
1. What prep is included?
Ask exactly how the surfaces will be cleaned, scraped, sanded, repaired and primed. Prep decides how long the paint lasts. If the answer is vague, the prep probably will be too.
2. Which paint and how many coats?
A good quote names the product line and the number of coats. That makes quotes comparable and protects you from a surprise downgrade.
3. Are you insured?
Ask for proof of liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers compensation. In Massachusetts, contractors doing certain residential work also register as Home Improvement Contractors. It is reasonable to ask for these documents and check them.
4. How do you handle lead paint on older homes?
If your house was built before 1978, federal rules require lead-safe work practices when painted surfaces are disturbed. Ask how they contain and clean up.
5. Who will actually be at my house?
Some companies sell the job and send a different crew. Others are owner-led, with the owner on site. Neither is wrong, but you should know who to call if something is not right.
6. What happens if you find rot?
Hidden damage is common on older homes. A good painter explains how repairs are priced and approved before work continues.
7. How is the property protected?
Ask about drop cloths, covering plants and floors, and how the site is left each day. Careful crews leave the house tidy.
8. Can I see recent work nearby?
Photos of real jobs, ideally in your own town, tell you a lot. Reviews from local homeowners help too.
9. What if something is not right after the job?
Ask how they handle problems with their workmanship after the job is done. Get the answer in writing.
How we answer these
At SDP Painting, Sergio runs every job himself and writes the prep into every estimate. If something in our workmanship is not right, we come back and redo it at no cost. Ask us any of these questions during your free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
- How many quotes should I get?
- Two or three written quotes with the scope spelled out is usually enough to see a fair range and compare prep and materials.
- Should I pay a deposit?
- Deposits are common for scheduling and materials. Make sure the payment terms are written in the agreement before work starts.
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