Questions to Ask on a Painting Estimate

If you have a paint contractor who is coming to your house for a painting estimate, it is in your best interest to have questions prepared for them. One of the biggest reasons why a homeowner is unhappy with a painting project is because they aren’t on the same page with the painting company. Having questions ready for a painting estimate will ensure that you select the right painting company for you.

Are you licensed and insured?

You should opt to hire a painting contractor that is licensed and insured as it protects you from any problems that may arise. Licensed contractors guarantee they meet qualifications set by the state and legitimizes them as a painting company. Being insured means that if any damage occurs to your home or one of the painters, you are not liable.

What brands of paint do you use?

The last thing you want when you are hiring someone to paint your home is them using cheap paint. While the short-term savings will be nice to look at for your bank account, cheap paint doesn’t last very long. A super cheap estimate is usually a telltale sign they are using cheap paint.

What colors do you recommend?

If you are someone who is looking to be bold with their walls or are clueless about the color they want, ask the contractor what they think. They should be knowledgeable and have recommendations for you. Specific painting colors or combinations of colors may sound good in your head, but the contractor can tell you if the finished product may look different than what you want. At the end of the day, you can choose any color you desire, but the contractor can maybe steer you in a direction that avoids you regretting your decision.

How long will the paint last?

Many different factors determine how long the paint will last. Expert painters who use high-quality paint can have their projects last for years. The contractor should be able to give you an accurate timeframe on how long the project will hold up for your specific circumstances.

How do you prep a house for painting?

If the prep work for a painting project is subpar, the results will be no different. The contractor should give you a detailed explanation of their company’s preparation process. While you may not know the proper prep that is required, your contractor’s explanations should give you confidence that they will do a great job. Their process should also make your preparations minimal.

Do you use subcontractors?

Quality painting companies usually have workers that work directly for them. They will hire the best painters they can find to represent their company. While subcontractors may do quality work, there is a risk that you will have inexperienced workers who aren’t as in the loop to what the project entails as you would like them to be. This can help keep expenses low, but you might regret it when you see the finished product. Painting Masters only uses painters that work for us.

How clean will my house be during this process?

Other than making sure you are confident in the company’s painting abilities, you also want to know what their cleaning process is like. If you have a project that will take a few days to complete, you don’t want to have your home be miserable to live in during that time. With a quality painting crew, there shouldn’t be too much stuff that needs cleaning as their prep work should minimize the mess.

How are you different than your competitors?

While this is a super fundamental question, it is still one you should ask. The answer you get might be simplistic and that isn’t necessarily a negative. You may also get an answer that goes above and beyond a standard response. That can demonstrate that the contractor truly cares about delivering you the best service.

Asking these simple questions on a painting estimate will ensure that you hire the right painters for your home and that you are on the same page with them with your expectations. It’s in the best interest of both parties if you receive excellent service.

If you want to meet with someone who will be able to answer these questions, schedule a free appointment with one of our experts today!