In the right hand,a can of paintcan enliven dull facades and transform a home’s outlook; in the wrong hand, same can of paint, might leave your walls looking sloppy. When seeking for a painter, there are important criteria that you should look out for. Open-ended questions and pointed inquiries will help reveal whether a potential painter has the much-needed skills to avoid the common painting pitfalls and execute a qualitative job. Thorough research and rigorous vetting are needed in order to be able to hire the best and most qualified painter. Such will be dependent on whether you are able to ask the right questions. Below are 5 key questions you need to ask your painter.
- Are you licensed and Insured?
There are a lot of reasons you should hire a state licensed painter.Licensing certificates are typically issued to painters who have proven to possess the basic painting knowledge and techniques. In addition, your hired licensed painter has something to lose if the performance is below standard.
Insurance is equally essential. Some jurisdictions require every painter to have insurance(s) that covers both business liability and worker’s compensation. Consequently, such insurance will cover for, when, by accident, your property is damaged in the cause of painting, and when someone is injured while on your job. Absence such insurance(s) cover, you, as the employer, may be liable for any potential accident.
- What paint brand will be used?
Usually, professional painters have a go-to supplier and preferred brand. This is often because of their trust for such brand’s quality, business loyalty or because of pricing discounts. However, read between lines and ensure that the answer to this question does not point to a compromise on quality. Also, if you do have you preferred brand, you can relate same to your painter. The right painter will be open to new ideas.
- What’s your prep plan?
Prepping is the most significant part of painting. Therefore, a good painting job is highly dependent on good prepping. It is very important to ask your painter about his prep plan. Will he be employing sanding, scrapping or full grind prepping? Ensure your painter attends to all areas and angles of your home and not some random selected assumed pressure points. There are other cosmetic preps that he might want to charge you extra for. Your budget and need should help you determine whether to go along. Just ensure you both discuss the details of prep plans.
- How long does your warranty cover?
Well prepped painting job that are subsequently painted with premium brands has the potentials to last for many years – even up to a decade. Professional painters therefore, to guarantee their clients, are in the habit of giving definite warranty timing. Surely, no painter is expected to guarantee you a decade.Nonetheless, a painter who can’t issue you a reasonable warranty cover should not be considered for the job.
- What are your Quotes?
It is good to ask your painter for a three-option plan, and the quotes for each package. Ensure you are well fortified with the individual package’s pros and cons.Like in many services, the time of the yearmay influence potential quote, hence, enquire about timeframe and how long it will take to complete the job. Be keen on each material distinctions and size. You can get two or three more painters quote for reasonable comparison.