Home improvement projects are an exciting undertaking, but choosing the right contractor can be difficult. There are many questions to ask yourself when deciding which painting and roofing contractors you’d like to work with. You want to ensure that your home is in the hands of skilled professionals who will do quality work on time and within budget. To help you make the right decision, we have created this handy guide on how to choose the perfect painting contractors for your home.
1) How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of a painting job varies by size, material, complexity, location, and whether it’s interior or exterior work. If you aren’t sure how much something will cost, ask your painter to give you a quote. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2016 Cost vs. Value Report, painters charge an average of $2,700 to paint a home exterior (labor only; does not include materials). This estimate is based on region (urban vs. rural), type of home (single-family vs. multi-family), and the number of stories in your home. For interiors, painters will charge anywhere from $1,000-$3,000 per room depending on its size and level of detail.
2) What Type of Materials Should I Use?
Choosing your home’s exterior paint is a big decision. Not only do you want it to look great, but you want it to last as long as possible without cracks or peeling. That’s why selecting your exterior paint carefully is so important. For lasting results, select high-quality exterior paints from a trusted company that guarantees their products with professional results and an excellent warranty program.
3) Who Guarantees Workmanship?
If you’re hiring a painting or roofing contractor, always get it in writing that they guarantee their work. A good company will not only guarantee their work, but they’ll also stand behind it for years to come. So, if your roof starts leaking or your paint starts peeling on your newly remodeled kitchen or bathroom walls, you can count on them to fix it. If you’re going through an interior painting project, make sure they put down enough paint.
4) Does My New Roof Need a Maintenance Plan?
If you’re considering a new roof or need one replaced, it’s important to make sure your choice of contractor includes a maintenance plan. Otherwise, you may end up getting stuck with a leaky roof that costs you more in repairs than it did initially to install. If a maintenance plan is not included with your chosen contractor, ask what he recommends before signing any papers—and follow his advice. This will not only save you money in the long run but will also keep your home looking its best.
5) Will You Be Using Your Team?
Not every painting or roofing contractor is well-equipped to handle a project of your home’s magnitude. If you have extensive experience with remodeling projects, you should go with a company that can handle any issues that arise on-site. But if you don’t know what you’re doing, it might be better to hire contractors who will work for hand in hand with an architect or engineer. Either way, make sure your contractor is confident in his or her ability to complete your project properly!
6) Do You Clean Up After Yourself?
It’s easy to let your mess pile up when you have a million other things on your mind. But if you care about leaving a positive impression with potential contractors, it’s important to keep your house or apartment as neat as possible. The last thing a painter wants is to spend hours preparing their work area, only to find out you’ve left your dirty dishes piled in front of your sink. Clean up after yourself—and leave out an extra trash bag for them if you can!
7) When Do I Need an Inspection?
Always hire a painter or roofer who offers an inspection. It’s not just a good idea, it’s often required by law. If you skip it, you could be stuck with shoddy work that needs to be redone—and that can cost thousands of dollars. If you do opt for an inspection, make sure your contractor knows exactly what you want to be inspected (trim, siding, etc.). You may also want them to take photos of any areas that need extra attention so they can be addressed before painting begins.
8) Can I See Pictures of Other Jobs You Have Done Before?
It’s important that you feel comfortable with your contractor. If you need estimates from several different companies, it is fine to ask them to send over pictures of previous jobs they have done before. These images can help you visualize how your own home will look when it is finished. Be sure to look through several portfolios so that you get a good idea of what quality work is like.
9) What Kind of Reputation Do You Have in Your Industry?
A lot of things can affect how quickly clients hire your firm. High customer turnover, a history of poor workmanship, or high prices are all some of these things. If you want customers to come back again and again, then make sure you have a positive reputation in your area. Nothing matters more than word-of-mouth advertising; it costs nothing but gives you one of the most powerful business tools available. Potential clients will be knocking down on your door once they hear about your great services.
10) Are You Licensed and Insured?
Make sure your painter is licensed and insured, or better yet, bonded. If something goes wrong—and with any contractor you hire, something will eventually go wrong—you’ll have recourse through your insurance. Check to see if they are part of a trade organization such as ICRI or SSPC. This will at least give you some idea of how long they’ve been in business and how many jobs they’ve completed. It may also be a good idea to check with their Better Business Bureau rating, which should be readily available online. You can also call local contractors who have done work in your area; ask them about their experiences working with painters.
