When it comes to painting a house, the cost can seem daunting.
Generally, a good paint job should last anywhere from 15-20 years, so you’ll want to make sure you are paying for a quality job without getting over-charged. Here are some key questions to ask your painter.
1. How long has your painting company been in business?
As you start to interview candidates, a good first question is to find out how long their business has been in operation.
Naturally, those with more experience are also more likely to have strong local connections and references.
2. Do you have general liability insurance?
Find out if the painter is insured. At the very least, a good rule of thumb is that they should carry General Liability insurance with a policy totalling at least $1 million.
This protects you as a homeowner in case anything goes wrong during the job.
3. Does the company hire employees or contractors?
If a painter outsources their labour to contractors, this could be a potential red flag for a few reasons.
To begin with, contractors won’t be covered by the employer’s general liability insurance, so they will need to each be individually insured.
This can be difficult for you to verify. In addition, contractors may not be as highly skilled as full-time employees.
4. What type of paint do you recommend for this job?
One factor that will make a world of difference both in the budget and quality of the completed work is the type of paint that’s used.
Ask what brand and grade level the painter uses.
Cheaper painters tend to use lower grade paints and painting products, so consider asking for a recommendation before purchasing the paint yourself.
This way, you’ll know exactly what grade is being used.
5. Do you have experience with older homes?
Painters that only have experience with new build homes may not be equipped to deal with the health and safety issues that may arise in older homes.
Homes that are older than 30 years could have lead paint to remove, as well as asbestos and other hazardous materials.
Painters that have experience working with homes of this age will be more likely to have the proper breathing equipment and tools for this type of work.
6. Do you work to a set daily schedule?
Ask if the paint crew will be arriving and departing the premises at the same time each day, or you may end up with people coming and going at all times of the day which can be disruptive to your daily life.
7. Do you have a portfolio or references of past work?
Ask to see photographs of the painter’s past work as well as references that you can call for verification. For example, painting a brick house before and after images can always help you with your colour choices.
While you review the references, look for clean, crisp work and even finishes.
8. Will the house be cleaned and/or primed before you begin?
Find out more about the painter’s work process by asking how they prep the walls before painting. Do they do painting cladding?
If walls aren’t properly cleaned, prepped, and primed, this could lead to cracks and peeling in no time.
9. Is payment required up front?
Be sure that you understand the fee structure and when payment is due.
There is no right answer to this question, but don’t agree to a large upfront payment if you don’t feel comfortable with it!
