Tips to Consider when Hiring a Painting Contractor

Table of Contents

1. Get at least 3 Quotations
2. Recommendations
3. Choosing your Paint[+]
   1. White may not be a good idea if you have young children
   2. Test the Colour First
   3. Don’t highlight ugly areas
4. What to expect from a Painter

Your home’s value can be increased substantially through painting. Brightening up a room with new paint and updating the exterior is one way to make it look newer. For most homeowners, painting is an easy DIY project, but it may be more work than you want.

Unless you have the time and skills to paint yourself, you may want to hire a professional. Painting companies have the staff needed to complete a project correctly, on time, and on budget.

To find a reputable painting company in Sydney, you could search for something like Painters Sydney, which would give you a list of painting companies like Dupont and others.

Below we have listed some pointers to consider when hiring a painting company to do the painting for you.

Get at least 3 Quotations

Get at least three quotes from different contractors. Referrals from friends and family are good sources. Be home to meet them at the outset. This way, you’ll know how long it took the contractors to assess the condition of your home.

His estimate will be more realistic the longer he takes. It takes more than just a quick walk around your home for an experienced painter. Inquire also about each contractor’s crew’s size and level of experience.

Paint contractors should, at the very least, be licensed and insured. A good contractor should have extensive experience with painting projects and a long list of satisfied clients. You can also research companies online and read reviews from their clients.

Finding a good painting contractor is best done through referrals. Painters tend to be small, local businesses. Depending on the service, some may only offer painting, while others can provide additional services like trim and molding, plaster repairs, and wallpapering.

Recommendations

Ask your contractor to provide you with a list of previous customers as references, and ask them for their recommendations.

Some of the questions you can ask the references are the following:

• How long did it take for the project to be completed?
• How did their work meet your expectations?
• Did your project exceed its budget?
• Did the contractor or any subcontractor treat you professionally and courteously?
• Would you work with them again?

Referrals from satisfied clients are a good sign. Examine the workmanship of painters from several years ago as well. This is so that you can see if the paint still looks good or if chips and cracks are starting to appear. You can also check the skills of the current crew by looking at recent projects.

Get a Written Quotation

The painter should include the following in his estimate:

• Address, phone, e-mail, and website information: Name, address, e-mail, and website.
• Taxes are included in the total cost.
• Detailing the prep work that will be done, the application procedures, and the areas to be painted should be included in the scope of the project.
• You should ensure the quotation clearly describes what is included and what isn’t.
• Painting specifications: What paint will be used as well as other materials?
• The dates on which the work will begin and be completed.
• Clearly spelled-out and easy-to-understand payment terms are essential.
• A copy of the painter’s liability insurance policy and workers’ compensation policy should be obtained. It could mean that you are liable if, for instance, a ladder is dropped on the neighbor’s car or a crew member is hurt on the job.

Choosing a painting contractor shouldn’t be based solely on the project’s price. The company’s experience, track record of completing jobs on time and within budget, and the testimonials of previous customers may also be factors to consider.

Choosing your Paint

There are various products available to painters, each with a different quality level. Make sure you choose a product of the highest quality. Initially, top quality 100% acrylic paint will cost a little more, but it lasts longer and costs less in the long run than ordinary paint.

It is unnecessary to apply whatever neutral paint color you choose to every surface imaginable, including the walls, trims, and ceiling. It will result in a bland outcome, and if you have chosen cool white, you will feel like you are living in a freezing bin.

White may not be a good idea if you have young children

It’s not a good idea to paint the walls white while the kids are still young or while you are planning a renovation. Be sure to have fabulous furniture if you choose white walls because white will silhouette your furniture in a way no other color will. A cream or taupe wall is much more forgiving.

Test the Colour First

Look at the color painted in the largest size and with all the furnishings in the room. On a piece of card, paint the color and hold it up behind the sofa, next to the curtains, and next to the carpet. Try this in both natural and artificial lighting.

An exterior house wall blasted by the sun can wash out an otherwise intense neutral to nothing. Greens and yellows can be overpowering in a bright room when they bounce off walls.

Don’t highlight ugly areas

You shouldn’t highlight unsightly doors or skimpy skirting by painting them a different color from the walls in a neutral or tonal scheme. Try changing the gloss instead. The gloss will make it appear paler because it reflects more light, but it will not attract attention.

A different color of skirting and scotia will make the ceiling look even lower if your ceiling height is low.

What to expect from a Painter

You can expect more from painters than simply painting your walls. It is beneficial to hire a professional who can do the job quickly and clean up afterward. When hiring a contractor, you can expect the following:

• To paint an area, furniture must be moved. The homeowner typically moves smaller objects.
• All areas not to be painted must be covered.
• In preparation for painting, holes can be filled; surfaces can be evened out, future covers removed, and light sanding and loose paint scraped away.
• The price does not always include priming the surface.
• Painting the walls and ceiling with two coats of paint.
• Trimming and molding are painted.
• Missed spots are touched up.
• Tarps and drop cloths are cleaned and removed
• The homeowner and foreman conduct the final inspection.

Thank you for reading!