Finding the right painting contractor is vital to the completion of a successful remodel or refurbishing of your home. A bad team of painters can cause damage to your home that is costly to fix and a hassle to be reimbursed for. An awareness of what to look for in a painting contractor can save you time, money, and heartache!
First, check out painting contractors online. They should have only glowing reviews of good jobs and a record of cleaning up after themselves. You can have a slightly more lenient view towards reviews that gripe mainly about cost, or the final color of the walls -- since homeowners have been known to select paint themselves and then blame the painter when the resulting color didn't turn out exactly the way they thought it would.
Second, get some quotes. Professional painting contractors will come out and give you a quote in person at your house -- they will note such items as crown molding and baseboard and give you a solid quote in writing. If furniture will need to be moved or draped, this should be covered in the estimate. A reasonable time frame for completion of the job should also be provided.
Third, set a date for your painting job and arrange it for a time when you will be available to supervise. Painters should be willing to accommodate your schedule and work on the weekend if that is what it takes. You should also ask to see a copy of their insurance policy -- the last thing you need is for someone to fall off a ladder and get injured on your property, then try to sue you. It is advisable to draw up a release for the painting contractor to sign indemnifying you from all wrongdoing if one of the crew hurts himself on your property.
Finally, watch the painting process. The painters should properly drape floors and furniture, and tape off doorways, crown molding, baseboard, and window frames to avoid getting splashes or spots of paint everywhere. Any holes in the wall should be filled and sanded prior to the start of the work. Don't be afraid to step up and comment if you see a painter doing something you feel will cause damage. In fact, take a video of your home's interior before they arrive so you have proof of your home's condition before they begin work.
These tips for finding the right painting contractors can increase your chances of getting a responsible crew to paint your home's interior, and can also be used to vet exterior home painting contractors.
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