A Beginners Guide To
Certain home improvement jobs absolutely call for a professional, if only to guarantee satisfying results. When hiring a painter, you have to make a few basic issues. After all, not all of them are the same.
Finding Candidates
In general, it’s best to hire a local painter because they are likely to be more conscious about their work outcomes compared to national franchises. One dissatisfied customer can cause considerable damage to their reputation in the community! Although paint contractors focus on painting, some perform related tasks like plaster repairs, trim and molding, and so on.
One thing you should know about is the potentially difficult part of finding a painting contractor: having them show up. Sometimes, this is due to their very busy schedules, but a professional is a professional. Very importantly, they have to provide a detailed written cost estimate and project timeline before getting started.
Your biggest resource when looking for local painters is usually the World Wide Web. But when you’re not satisfied with the information you gleaned, approach your neighbors and ask for referrals. Additionally, contractors may display signs on the front yards of homes where they have ongoing projects, or might see a white panel an out front. In any case, do talk to your neighbor and ask them how they find the contractor’s services.
Another source of prospects could be local magazines that feature renovated properties. You will usually find names and phone numbers of the professionals working on these projects, but be warned – they are usually expensive.
Talking to the House Painter
Unlike speaking to a an electrician or plumber, there is no need for you to know technical lingo. Be sure to ask for details, like how much the paint will cost, what particular type or types of paint they plan to use, how many coats should be applied, and how they will secure areas that must not be painted.
And don’t forget to inquire whether or not you have to vacate the house while they work.
The Cost of the Entire Project
Some painting contractors make use of particular formulas when computing a project’s total cost. For example, they will determine total square footage by adding the square footage of the walls and ceilings, and the linear footage of the trim. They will look into preparation time as well, plus primer and paint “hard costs.”
They will also usually offer you an estimate based on their experience with comparable projects. This estimate will not be specific, but it will give you a reasonably good picture. As a homeowner, the only way to know if this is a good estimate is to compare it with quotes from other contractors.