Hiring a San Diego painting company for your next home project could save you time and money in the long run. Professional painters have the tools, skills, and safety equipment necessary to give you a beautiful end result in a safe manner. Despite the benefits of hiring a professional, quality work and good customer service aren’t a guarantee. Be sure to consider the following before hiring a painting contractor.
Before hiring a San Diego painting company…
Have clear expectations.
Before you call a San Diego painting company to get an estimate, think about your schedule and end goal. When putting together an estimate, painters will want to know what colors you have in mind, finishes you prefer, and if you want a specific brand of paint. If you aren’t sure, painters can make recommendations. In addition, make schedule coordination easier by knowing when you will be available to let painters into your home and when they need to end work each day. Consider moving out for a few days when painting the interior. The job will move along faster.
Narrow down your search.
Check BBB.org, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations, and identify at least three reputable contractors to bid on the job.
Get a comprehensive estimate.
Professional painters provide clients with detailed estimates that include a complete breakdown of their costs and schedule. The estimate should incorporate specific costs for labor, materials, paint, travel time (if charged for), and the timeframe in which the painter will complete the project. If you have any questions or see anything that is missing from the estimate, discuss it with the painter before the project begins. It’s much easier to fix an estimate than change your agreement halfway through the project.
Ask the right questions.
Ask the right questions to clarify painter’s experience and job cost. Some of the following questions might be helpful when you speak to a painting contractor for the first time:
- How long have you been painting houses and how experienced is your painting crew?
- How long will it take to complete the project?
- What kind of prep work is included in your service?
- What kind of prep work, if any, will I need to do?
- Does your estimate include pressure washing outer walls and caulking and filling cracks?
- What kind of paint and how many coats of it do you recommend?
- Who will handle the clean up after the project is complete?
- What happens if paint gets on my carpet, roof tiles or concrete?
Confirm your painter’s credentials.
Before you hire, make sure the painter has all the necessary, up-to-date permits and licenses required by your state. You’ll also want to find out what kind of insurance the painter carries, to ensure it covers workers injured on the job or any damage to your personal property.
Now that you’ve hired a San Diego painting company…
Be prepared to prep.
Understand that there are certain things a painter might ask you to do to prepare for the project. For example, you may need to move furniture to the center of the room or completely out of the area. You’ll also need to remove paintings and any other wall décor, as well as switch plates and outlet covers. Painters may ask you to clean the walls before they paint using a damp sponge. In addition, you’ll want to keep any pets out of the way when paint day comes. Talk to your contractor about the prep expectations.
Watch out for lead.
Check for lead paint in homes built before 1978. If lead paint is present, painters may need to take extra precautionary measures that could affect pricing and the length of the project. It’s important for the health and safety of your family that this be done properly, so do not hire anyone who suggests they can take a shortcut around required lead paint removal procedures.
Confirm clean up details.
Most professional painters keep a clean working environment and handle clean up at the end of each working day and at the end of the project. However, it’s always a good idea to discuss this part of the project with the painter before they begin working. Make sure you clearly understand who is responsible for clean up during each phase of the project.
Make a payment plan.
Never pay in full before the project begins. You may be asked to pay a portion of the fee to begin and installments at certain milestones in the project. Always withhold the final payment until you are completely satisfied with the end result of your painting project and have received written confirmation that all subcontractors have been paid (subcontractors can put a lien on your home if the primary contractor fails to pay them).
Conclusion
The above tips will help you find a San Diego painting company that is trustworthy and reliable. Want to learn more? Send us a message here to get additional information.
