Professional painting companies, despite their incredible benefits, can be hard to find. While there are numerous painting companies available, not all of them are created equal. Some are fast but lack professional experience, while others have extensive painting knowledge but lack the necessary customer service.
Because painters excel in some areas more than others, it’s somewhat of a balancing act to find a company that offers the right qualities. That being said, there are multiple steps you can take to ensure that you’re getting the best painting service possible. Let’s go through them:
Research the company’s background
You’d assume this is a no brainer, but most people neglect to properly research the company they’re hiring.
Hiring a professional painter can rack up quite an expense, typically costing $30-$60 per hour. Before investing your hard-earned money, do some digging and make sure that the company you’re considering is reliable and has a good reputation.
Ensure you do the following:
Check Online Reviews and Consider their Sources
Websites like Yelp, Angie’s List, Google Reviews, and Facebook are excellent sources for gathering information about painting companies. Just remember that reviews can be fabricated, so consider the source before you take any of them as gospel.
Ideally, you’ll want to look at the overall rating and read a handful of the reviews. This will give you an idea of how the company operates, so you can make an informed decision.
View Portfolios & Ask for References
Think about it : if your body of work is outstanding, you’re going to want people to see it. This not only boasts your ego but displays your marvelous handiwork to potential customers. The result being more leads and more work.
Ask the company for a portfolio of their previous painting jobs. This will give you an idea of their skill level and the type of painting projects they routinely accept. If their work consists of high-quality finishes and attention to detail, chances are they’re worth hiring.
Just ensure they’re the right fit for the job. If you notice your contract only accepts smaller, residential projects but you need a team that can handle commercial-level painting, you’re barking up the wrong tree!
Check their Website and Social Media Presence
We know anyone can have a beautiful website these days. The web is full of site templates you can purchase and alter to your liking, making it easy to maintain a presentable online presence. But don’t let that fool you — the website should still be presentable, easy to navigate and informative.
If your painter’s site lacks a great deal of information and is looking very dated, it could be a sign of their overall professionalism. While it’s not necessarily a reflection of their work, you should still be wary and consider it in the grand scheme of things.
2. Conduct Interviews and Ask the Right Questions
We know it’s tempting to just listen to your painter’s sales pitch and hire them right away, but resist the urge. Painting is a skill that takes years to master, so it’s in your best interests to just take 10-15 minutes to quickly interview the contractor and ask them some important questions.
Questions could include :
- How long have you been in business?
- What type of painting projects do you typically accept?
- Are your crew licensed and bonded?
- Do you contain the necessary insurance should things go south?
- What painting products do you use? I.e cheap paint vs high-end paint?
- What is your payment policy and do you offer any discounts?
- Are you familiar with decorative painting techniques such as marbling, dragging and sponging? This may be necessary if you have a feature wall that needs an extra special touch.
Being equipped with this info puts you a step ahead and ensures you’re making the right decision. And similarly with a painter’s portfolio, they should be happy to answer any questions to put your mind at ease.
3. Shop Around – It’s a Big MarketPlace After All
As mentioned in our intro, painting companies are a dime a dozen these days. This is especially true in major cities. With that in mind, don’t feel obligated to sign with the first contractor you speak to; shop around!
Take time to compare the various packages and prices offered by different companies. Some contractors may offer discounts for larger jobs, while others may offer a reduced price if their supplies are provided. It may require some negotiation on your part, but it’s worth it if you save a few hundred dollars in the end.
Additionally, you’ll want to know what their pricing method is and what it includes. Are they charging by the hour, square foot or per job? Will that include repairs, prep work and clean up? Larger jobs typically charge a fixed rate while smaller jobs may be charged by the hour.
4. Explore Google Thoroughly with Different Search Terms
Most people just type ‘painter near me’ on Google or other search engines. And while it’s a start, it’s not the best way to go about finding the right contractor.
For starters, you can type multiple keywords related to painting into Google such as ‘interior painter in (your area)’, ‘residential painter near me’ or even ‘exterior painter (your city)’ to get more specific results. If your job is even more specialized, i.e. you require a contractor who specializes in wooden furniture painting, then include that too!
This will help narrow down your search and bring to the surface companies that have more experience with the type of job you need done. The longer you spend searching, the better your chances of finding the right contractor.
Once you’ve narrowed down your search and have a list of potential candidates, it’s just a case of doing the steps above i.e checking reviews and conducting interviews.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand the best way to find a professional painting company. Remember to take your time in the searching process – it’s always better to spend a few hours now than have to repaint your home again in a few years time.
Good luck in finding the right contractor!
