Painting a home is neither easy nor simple. And it’s no joke when you want the result to be a masterpiece!
But how do you figure out if a painter is indeed a pro in his trade? Key factors like whether or not he is insured, experience, hourly rate and other parts of his service can be very helpful when selecting the right provider.
If you’re not keen on choosing the first painter that tells you that he can deliver quality work for your home, then read on! Here are some things that you should consider when hiring a painter:
References are key!
Make sure to hire someone who has an established clientele in the area. This will help to ensure that they’re not “fly-by-night” painters out to make a quick buck.
One of the best ways to find if a painter is credible is by checking his previous works. Ask him for references where possible, so that you can determine whether or not he’s really qualified or just saying things he thinks will sell his services to you.
If you know family members or people in your community who have used their services, its also worth asking to see first-hand what their experiences were like. Especially for local painters, maintaining a good reputation in their local area is a must, as their business relies on word-of-mouth advertising to prosper.
Affordable Rates but Decent Work Quality
It’s quite obvious that different painters charge differently depending on their level of expertise and experience in painting homes . However, you should take note that cheaper does not necessarily mean better.
Cheaper painters may cut corners in order to save on expenses, like not doing adequate prep work on walls or using the cheap quality paper. This will more often than not yield sub-standard results.
Are they Licensed?
There are usually laws in place that require painters to have a license. You can check on your government agency or painting industry standards that oversee these matters in your area for more information.
After all, you don’t want someone working by himself without any sort of protection should he be injured on the job! Insurance ensures that your painter damages your property or injures themselves on site, they’ll be provided coverage for it.
Always ask for a certificate of insurance to verify they have coverage in place.
Careful Planning is a Must!
Before starting the actual work on your home, make sure to discuss all aspects of the job with your service provider. Discuss how long it will take for them to finish up, or if there are specific things they need from you before they can begin working on your home.
Having a plan of action beforehand can save both parties time and deliver the best possible results.
Clear Communication Throughout The Process
Make sure to clarify everything with your painter throughout the process, so that you have a clear understanding of what is expected from both sides.
If there are any doubts or questions, make sure to ask about them before moving forward! No matter how great the vibe you get from your painter may be, it can’t hurt to double check things with them to make sure that you don’t encounter problems down the road with your chosen painter.
When interviewing your candidate, get a feel for how your painter communicates! If they are able to provide clear answers regarding their work, pricing and timelines, then they will make a great fit for your job.
It’s also a good sign if they’re enthusiastic about your project and can provide you with references they’ve done in the past.
Good Reviews on Review Sites and Their Social Media
It’s also good to check their online reviews, which can give you a pretty good idea of how people are generally reacting towards their service. You can get an idea of what sort of work they do based on the reviews that other people have left behind.
Check out their social media pages as well, if possible! Not only will this help you get to know more about their business, it can also give you an idea of the kind of work they specialize in.
Prioritise Experience Over Price
While cheaper painters may at first glance appear cheaper than their expensive counterparts (in terms of cost-efficiency factors), you should consider hiring an experienced painter instead, if possible.
More often than not, price is connected to experience. An inexperienced painter may provide unsatisfactory results, costing you more money to fix their mess after the job is done. A more experienced painter, meanwhile, may charge higher for his services but you’ll have a paint job that will boost property value and improve your quality of living.
If you’re putting your property on the market, a good painter could make the difference between a sold or unsold home!
Make Price Comparisons
While price can be indicative of experience and skill, not all painters charge the same amount for their services. Two services with similar expertise and experience won’t necessarily charge the same prices, as it is up to the person providing the service to set their own prices.
You should still take the time to conduct proper price comparisons between various painters in your area before hiring one specific painter. Not only will you know that you’re getting a good deal, but it’s also an easy way of establishing which painter provides better value relative to cost!
