There is something about spring and summer that compels us to start our home projects. Better weather means we get to do the projects we’ve been putting off for months and house painting is definitely one of them.
Whether you are staging your house for it to be ready in the market, painting the baby nursery, repainting the walls to hide the nicks and dings that accumulated over the years, or simply wanting to get a house to revamp without hurting your pockets that much, a project should be done by a professional to make sure you get the result you are aiming for. They have the most trusted professionals, good review standing, and all the good aspects you’re looking for in a contractor.
However, you can always read some tips below that can ensure you in choosing the perfect contractor for your project. Keep reading and you will be well on your way to finishing that project to add value to your home or just to simply liven up your living space.
1. Plan Your Budget
Budget is one of the most predominant factors to consider before exploring your options of contractors in the area. What you decide on your budget will be determined by the quality of materials you want to use, the scale of the project as well as the amount of prep work that needs to be done.
It is also essential to look for contractors who have reasonable not “low” fees. Low fees may mean using the cheapest materials, inexperienced professionals, and lightning-fast techniques to be able to offer the most affordable fee. In other words, you get what you pay for. Save yourself as well from price gougers whose charges are exorbitant hiding behind so-called “luxury services” brand promises. The best option? Look for a company that uses quality paints, and standard techniques for a reasonable, mid-range price.
2. Look for Feasible Options
There is no shortage of available resources for prospecting contractors. Yelp, Google, and Angie’s List are just a few places to start looking for companies near your area. Prepare a list of companies you may potentially hire. No matter how cliche it is, it is still better to lay down the pros and cons of each company so you will know you are making the best choice.
Referrals are also a good way to gain insight and find great contractors. Has one of your friends or neighbors had a painting job done recently? You may ask them who they used and their overall experience with that company. Reading reviews from past clients is also a good way to gauge the company. Most of the time, highly-reviewed contractors are more quality conscious and stick to providing if not exceeding customer satisfaction.
3. Ask the right questions
You’ve got your list of potential contractors, it’s time for you to interview them for the job. In this day and age, you can easily get in touch with them, be it by email, phone, or chat. Now, one of the reasons why clients like you end up dissatisfied with their contractors is because the right questions weren’t asked before they hired a contractor.
4. Get at least 3 estimates
Ask the potential contractors the same questions and lay down the same expectations. Once you have the estimates, carefully compare proposals that have the same amount of prep, materials, and scope of work along with all the proper documentation.
Pricing is one of the major concerns in any painting project. Make sure that on the estimate, everything is crystal clear and see if the contractor can break the numbers out. The estimate should include the labor cost, time frame, materials, paint, travel. Ask about indirect and direct costs. Indirect costs are costs that are indirectly tied to your job. This includes overhead costs, utilities, rent, the salary of support staff, etc. Clients forget to ask about these costs and get surprised when the overall estimate turns out higher than anticipated.
5. Get a contract
Make sure that the contract has all the contractor’s key information: name, address, office and cell numbers, and license number, plus whatever details were in the estimate. The contract should clearly state what is and is not included in the job. Most reputable companies would also have a written guarantee to correct any chipping, peeling, blistering, flaking, or excessive fading or chalking that occurs within x number of weeks or months; besides the guarantee that painting manufacturers have on their products.