You Have Decided to Hire a Painting Contractor. What Now?
Certain home improvement projects require a professional. Not many homeowners are ready to install their HVAC, pour a foundation, or build an addition. However, other projects, such as painting, seem to beg for the do-it-yourselfer. After all, who is not able to dab a brush in paint?
But painting is harder than it looks. It is therefore with great pleasure that many DIY painters decide that now is the time to hire a painting contractor to get the job done. Let’s take a look at what painters do, how to hire them, and how to negotiate the best price for your painting job.
You'll Learn About
What is a painter contractor?
A painting contractor may work as a subcontractor or subcontractor under a general contractor or may rent themselves out directly to the homeowner. Usually, the painting business is a relatively small business, ranging from the sole proprietorship to 20 to 30 painters who work for a small company.
How to find one
Painting contractors are mostly local (until now, there are no nationwide franchised paint contractors). While paint contractors focus on painting, some perform associated tasks such as plaster repairs, minor drywall work, trimming and molding, and wallpapering.
The other difficult part is getting a painting contractor. While this generalization doesn’t apply to every painter, it’s rarely possible for a paint contractor to show up to look at the house and make a written estimate later. It is hardly the fault of the painters; it is a combination of the contractors who are smaller companies and high demand for their work.
Since it is virtually impossible to find information about local painting companies on the Internet, the adage “talk to neighbors” applies here. Some painting contractors have signs on the lawns of homes they work on, but you’ll find this more at general contractors and siding and window replacement companies. So apart from the painter’s white van in the front, you often don’t know what’s going on in your neighbors’ houses.
Urban areas often have local magazines (in Seattle, for example, there’s Seattle Magazine ), many of which have renovated homes. These documents contain the names and telephone numbers of the contractor and subcontractors but are warned, that these subcontractors are usually very expensive and expensive.
What would a painter contractor do?
Most painters can handle any job, from just painting your window treatments to a full paint job. But let’s assume they paint your interior. You can usually expect:
- Cover all areas that will not be painted, such as floors, windows, counter tops, and cabinets.
- Minor surface preparation before painting, which means: lightly sanding and scraping off loose paint, driving in a few protruding nails, cleaning the woodwork, use tack cloth in places. The key here is “small” as the contractor will assume the house is mostly in paint condition.
- Removing electrical plates, lights, doors, and other obstructions.
- Move furniture for better access to the areas to be painted. This is not a painting job, so you need to confirm it in advance.
- Prime new drywall or current paint with an indoor latex primer.
- Two coats of the color of latex interior paint on the walls.
- Two coats of ceiling paint.
- Painting the trim and molding (plinths, window trims, window grilles, etc.).
- Retouches of missed spots.
- Accident cleanups (however good the coverage is with drop cloths, some drops will happen).
- A final evaluation between painter foreman and homeowner.
How to talk to him
Unlike when you talk to an electrician, you don’t need to know any specialized jargon. Most home painting contractors are good at making the homeowner clear.
Some topics to discuss:
- Is the cost of the paint included in the estimate?
- What type of paint does the contractor plan to use?
- How many coats are laid?
- How are the non-paintable areas covered for protection?
- How long can you take the job?
- Would it be preferable that the residents leave the house during the job?
- Is masking tape used around the trim or the cut-in method?
How much is it?
More than you expect. Some painters will have formulas they use, totaling the square footage of walls and ceilings, along with the number of trims. They calculate the prep time, as well as the “hard cost” for primer and paint.
Most paint contractors will give you an estimate based on their experience with similar jobs. While this estimate can’t be tied to specifics, it’s usually a pretty good figure. For you, the homeowner, the only way to know if this is a good estimate is to compare quotes you get from other contractors.
A whole house interior paint as described in this article can easily cost around 7460$ or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to find a paint contractor?
Start by talking to friends and neighbors for a recommendation. Read the fine print on the contract and know what you are getting into. If you want a painter to do the job right, call a painter and ask for references.
Painters must be licensed. This is required in most states, and the license is usually valid for 2-3 years. In some states, it is required to renew the license yearly.
What to ask when hiring painters?
A good painter will have a portfolio of work and will provide references. Ask to see the portfolio. Ask to see recent work. Ask to see an estimate. Ask for an insurance policy. Ask for a written warranty. Ask if the painter has a license. Ask for a referral from a neighbor or friend. Ask if the painter has previous experience painting your home. Ask if the painter is an expert in painting dry walls.
What is the most important thing to look for in a painting contractor?
Look for a painter who has the experience and is a professional. Ask about references. Ask for a written estimate. Ask about their insurance. Ask if they are licensed. Ask if they have previous experience. Ask if they are an expert in painting dry walls. Ask if they have the tools and equipment to do the job right. Ask if they can provide a warranty. Ask if they can meet your needs. Ask if they will be on time. Ask if they are willing to negotiate. Ask if you will get what you pay for.
How do I know if a painting contractor is a professional?
A professional will have a portfolio of work to show you. A professional will give you a written estimate.
