How Do I Choose A Painting Contractor? 7 Best Tips

Painting is so much more than just slapping on a good color of paint to your walls. If done correctly, it can add a significant amount of value to your property. It’s also a time-consuming process that requires careful attention to detail. Taking the job into your hands may make matters worse, and even more expensive overall. That’s why it’s always a good idea to leave your painting projects to painting contractors — they have the necessary tools, expertise, and knowledge to get the job done.

But, finding a painting contractor for your office or home improvement project can be a daunting endeavor — especially if it’s your first time. The USA has well over 200,000 painting contractors to date! The last thing you want is to be scammed, and shell out on a horrible paint job. 

Whether you need a contractor for residential or industrial projects — here’s a comprehensive list of tips for choosing the best painting contractor. Read on.

A successful painting job always starts with a plan in place. 

You probably have an idea on what you want to achieve for your property design-wise — may it be a color, pattern, or texture. Write them down or search for inspiration online. They don’t have to be specific or meticulous, but knowing your design goals will help you communicate better to your prospective painting contractor on your consultation. 

There are also other factors to consider such as the scope of the painting project. Is it an interior or exterior painting job? What’s your timeline? Do you want high quality paints?

And of course — know your budget. What are you willing to invest in? Keep in mind that “low prices” doesn’t always mean quality outcomes. Some contractors out there are able to give low prices because they resort to using cheap paint, inexperienced painters, and shortcut methods. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. On the contrary, there are painting companies that charge exorbitant, unreasonable prices. It’s all up to you. 

Therefore, it’s best to have set goals and budget (a ballpark figure will do), and proceed to scouting for contractors.

2. Ask Around For Referrals

One of the easiest ways to find a reputable painting contractor is through referrals. Ask around. Consult with friends, family, neighbors, or anyone you know who has already hired paint contractors.

3. Explore Your Options

There is an abundance of information for painting contractors online — from Angie’s List to Yelp to Google Business and more. Go ahead and do your research. 

Look into the company's track record and their overall background. What’s their expertise? What kind of paint do they use? What’s their scope of service? What kind of prep work or surface preparation do they do — or if they even have any.

Some paint contractors have their own websites, which can be very helpful as you have all the information all in one place. Read about their services, paint resources, portfolio, and more information about their company. If you feel good about them, add them to your list of prospects.

4. Look For Testimonials and Online Reviews

Proof of work is essential when you’re looking for a paint contractor. How will you know if they’re truly capable or live up to their claims? 

With that, ask for a portfolio. As stated above, some websites already have their portfolio posted on their website. You can also search for more reviews online about them to be sure. 

Remember that customer service and responsiveness is equally important. What’s their reputation? Can they get the job done on time? Are they responsive to questions and inquiries? Do they have a good relationship with their customers? 

Sure, large painting companies get calls left and right. But a good company should get back to their clients or prospective customers within a fair amount of time. This will also help you get a feel on their internal processes and management. When a company's support team is well-organized, it's an indication that the business is functioning smoothly and you will likely have an easier time communicating with the team.

5. Training, Safety, and Insurance Procedures

Any painting contractor you choose should, at the very least, be properly insured and well-versed in all applicable safety protocols. Check the company's credentials to be sure they are authorized to do the service you need. This signifies that the job is done in accordance with criteria established by professionals in the field.

Inquire about the company's PCA Approved Safety Program and verify that they are in compliance with all OSHA standards pertaining to industrial painting tasks (including those involving confined spaces, lead remediation, and scaffold rigging).

On no construction site should you ever risk having an uninsured contractor that is careless about safety on the job.

6. Book A Consultation

Now that you have a list of prospective contractors, it is time to start conducting interviews. These days, getting in contact with contractors is fairly simple. You can do it through phone or email. Some companies even have dedicated paint consultation services where both parties can have a comprehensive conversation about the project. It’s an easier way to touch on all points and get a good estimate.

7. Compare

If you still have a number of prospects at your disposal, try to list down their pros and cons. It’s also best to get a quote from each of them too, so you can easily compare prices. Resist the desire to pick a contractor based only on the low bidder, remember, low costs don't always yield quality results. Compare their customer service, and how they handle your inquiry.

Transform Your Space With Green Valley Painters! 

Having the right crew on board makes all the difference when it comes to painting a property. If you’re looking for the best painters in California, Green Valley Painters can make all your ideas come to life. Get professional expertise — backed with an extensive list of references. Contact us for a consultation at 707 864 68 64!