10 Questions To Ask When Hiring A Painter

1. Does the painter have Insurance? THIS IS A MUST.

Does the painting company have insurance (both general liability + workman’s comp)? Liability is a must. Say they come in with a ladder and accidentally break your window, while no one wants that, accidents do happen and insurance will have you covered.

2. Is the painting company licensed?

While not every state requires that painting contractors acquire licenses, it’s still a good idea to only hire licensed painting contractors. Licensed painting companies will always have insurance and have proven they are as invested in their company as you are in your home. You can check your state’s license requirements here.

3. Where can I find reviews of your company online?

Yelp, Houzz, Angi, and Google are great places to start if you want to check on your painter’s reputation. Every painter who is in business long enough is going to have a bad review or two; it’s inevitable. But it’s still super useful to look at those reviews to get an idea as to what types of disagreements can arise. More importantly, those reviews can serve as a window into how the painter responds to negative reviews. Some negative reviews may be fake (created by their competition) and others may be legitimate client complaints that need addressing. Did the painter respond respectfully and attempt to solve the problem? 

4. Will there be a work order or contract? 

Sometimes this can be as informal as a written agreement over email, but no one wants surprises and stress added to a big home improvement project. Having a signed contract before work starts is a good way to protect both parties from feeling like they are being taken advantage of. Think about all the work that you want done and ask that it all be written down in the contract or work order. This ensures that you are getting everything you are paying for, and it’s a great way to keep track of cost. Your contract should show the total cost of the project as well as an itemization of individual charges.

5. How many days will the project take to complete, and what hours and days of the week does the crew work?

Every house is different and unexpected delays can happen when the unforeseen arises, but getting an estimate as to how long the project will take is always a good idea. This way you can plan when you need to be at home and when you need to vacate certain areas. It’s also good to know when you can invite your friends over to see your new backdrop!

6. Who will actually be performing the work?

Oftentimes the person who provides the quote is not the person who will be performing the work. Knowing who your direct point of contact is throughout the project is crucial for quickly communicating changes in your plans or requesting changes to the work order. It’s also good to check in on the first day of work to let the painters know how to reach you if questions arise.

7. Will furniture need to be moved? If not, how will it be covered/protected?

Everyone has items in their home they value, and it never hurts to let the painter know about those items. You can ask that certain items be moved or move them yourself prior to work starting just to make sure you protect your most treasured furniture. But some things simply can’t be moved. In those cases, ask how the painter plans to protect your items. Drop cloths and/or plastic are commonly used to protect flooring and furniture, and it never hurts to highlight what is important to you.

8. Does the painter need storage space on-site? 

Will your painter need storage space on the premises for ladders and/or other painting materials? This question is often overlooked by both the client and the painter, but asking this question early on will help everyone involved. If you have high ceilings that need to be painted, consider asking the painter where they intend to store the ladders. If you have the perfect spot, let them know!

9. Will the painter be doing a walk-thru? 

We highly recommend that painters do a walk-thru and see the space in person before giving a quote, etc. (Sometimes this isn’t possible but it’s a best practice).  It’s a good idea to ask your painter if they foresee any potential problems that could lengthen the time necessary to complete or increase the total cost of the project. Most painting projects are fairly straightforward and these sorts of problems shouldn’t arise, but asking this question might encourage the painter to let you know about anything they are worried about from the beginning. Do your walls require more coats than a standard wall? Are there any repairs that might need to be made before painting can commence?

10. Does the painter provide a warranty for the painting services?

Mistakes happen! Most licensed and insured painters will offer a warranty associated with their work. Meaning, that they will come back to the project if there are issues with the paint job. You’ll want to be sure that any paint-related issues that come up over time will be covered by the warranty. Make sure to ask before work starts!

Need a Painter? We got you! Let Us Connect You With A Backdrop Pro. 

If you’re using Backdrop paint for your larger projects, there are a range of benefits to going with a Backdrop Pro Painter. We’ve done all the vetting so you don’t have to. We have vetted our painter partners for quality and integrity and want you to be connected with the very best in your market. You’ll get exclusive trade pricing and be paired with a vetted, fully insured, and professionally experienced painter. 

Ready to get started? Just tell us a little about your project here.