Whether it comes courtesy of a bold blue, crisp coral, wintery white, or a moody mauve, there’s no doubting the impact that paint can have on a home’s interior and exterior. In many cases, paint will even serve as a home decorator’s starting point, using wall color as the backdrop with which they work around. And while many of us have tackled the task of painting our homes ourselves in the past, there comes a point when you’re just ready to put down the rollers and brushes and pick up the phone to call professional local house painters.
If that time is now for you, chances are that you have a lot of questions—and we’re happy to say that we have a lot of the answers. In an effort to make finding the right painters for you as easy as possible, we’ve combed through frequently asked questions to develop this list of what to know when booking local house painters.
What do you need done?
Before you get too deep into booking local house painters, you’ll need to decide exactly what you want to be done. Are you looking for interior or exterior painting? Will there need to be drywall (interior) or stucco/siding (exterior) repaired prior to painting? How many different colors will you be using? The answers to these questions are important to know upfront so that you can be better prepared during the vetting process in which you’re gathering quotes from various local house painters. Those details will also help to dictate how much you’ll be spending on the job.
How much are you willing to spend?
You’ll quickly learn that hiring professional painters isn’t exactly cheap, but you tend to get what you pay for. Try to come up with at least a baseline budget for what you want to spend, and keep that in mind when you’re getting quotes. If multiple quotes are significantly higher than what you’re willing to spend, you may need to consider taking on the job yourself.
What are your responsibilities as the homeowner?
Even though you’ve decided to hire local house painters, that doesn’t mean you’re entirely off the hook. As the homeowner, you may be tasked with certain responsibilities that must be completed prior to the start of the job. The time to ask for clarity on that front is during those first meetings with the various local house painters. Most professional painters take the time to cover furniture and floors with drop cloths or plastic sheets, but you’ll probably still have to slide furniture out of the way the night before and remove any wall hangings like framed pictures or clocks.
What are the local house painters’ responsibilities?
Unlike most amateurs, professional house painters are usually adept at working quickly and efficiently. The job should include proper taping to avoid getting paint on trim like crown moulding or baseboards, followed by several coats of paint, touch-ups, and a thorough cleaning up of the area. Still, you should always confirm exactly what the painters will be doing—and when. Are they expecting to complete the job in one day or one week? How many painters will be part of the crew? What hours will they be at/in your home? All reputable local house painters should include these specifics in the official quote for the job.
Are the painters you’re considering licensed and insured?
When you’re jotting down questions to ask the local house painters you’re considering, this one should probably be at the top of the list. You should only ever hire a painter with the proper insurance and licenses, and you should never feel shy about asking for these credentials. As an extra layer of peace of mind, the painter should be able to provide you with copies of both for your records. Without licenses or insurance, you may be on the hook if something goes wrong with the painter’s work.
Are the painters employees of the company or contractors?
This is a big one because it speaks to both the stability of the company and the painters themselves. It’s easier to trust a company that keeps employees on the payroll because it shows that they’re skilled at the job and capable of earning continued business. On the other hand, there’s no way to know if a company that hires contractors has properly vetted who they’re bringing into your home.
Are you able to pick the type of paint yourself?
Established local house painters are likely to have connections with paint stores in the area willing to provide volume discounts. While that’s a nice perk for the painter, the quality of the paint should still be up to your standards. Be sure to ask each painter you speak with about the type of paint they use and if you can pick an alternative if you prefer. You may end up paying more than the original quote, but it’s worth it to get what you want.
What is the payment arrangement?
Always inquire with the local house painters you talk to about their payment structure. Most likely, you’ll need to pay a deposit to secure the booking, with the balance due at completion. Avoid painters who require the entire payment before the work is even started. Most reputable painters will have a policy that states the balance is not paid until the customer is satisfied with the finished product.
Can anyone vouch for the painters’ work?
References and reviews can help fill in the gaps for areas where you don’t necessarily know the answer if you’ve never hired local house painters before. Be sure to scan the popular online review sites and ask the painters you’re considering for a list of references that can speak on behalf of the quality of their work.
Hiring local house painters can save you time—and maybe even money
As mentioned, hiring painters is certainly more expensive than doing it yourself. However, professional painters are more likely to do the type of job that lasts, which means you won’t repeatedly be painting the same rooms or attempting to cover up mistakes. As you’re thinking about next steps, make sure you’re getting answers to the questions above so that you feel confident in your decision to hire local house painters for your next home project.
