Choosing which painting company you will partner with on your painting project is a big decision. It’s important to get to know the company before making a decision. A great way to learn about a company quickly is to talk to one of the employees and ask some questions. You may consider contacting the company with your questions as you research different painting companies. Another option is to ask questions during a scheduled estimate with the company for your painting project. We recommend asking the following questions.
- Does the company offer a warranty?
Sometimes a lower price now can mean a much higher cost later. Carrying a warranty may raise a company’s prices, but it means their work is promised to last and they will address any issues that might arise in the warranty timeframe. It’s always a good idea to see the actual warranty documents so you can be sure the contractor’s work has a guarantee beyond his word. - Do they have general liability insurance?
Despite a company’s best efforts, accidents do happen. You want to make sure the painting company can guarantee replacement or repair of any damages. - Does the company have project managers to oversee the project to ensure it’s on schedule and the work is quality?
Although a company’s painters may be professionals, you want to make sure they have oversight from a company representative. This way you ensure the work is done according to the company’s standards that you agreed to in your contract. Having fresh eyes on a project also helps spot imperfections and mistakes so these can be corrected before they become more difficult to fix. - Do they have in-house painters or subcontractors? How do they recruit their subcontractors and train their painting crews?
There are pros and cons to using in-house painters versus subcontractors. What makes the biggest difference is how the painters are trained and their experience. In-house painters don’t necessarily have more training. Some in-house painters may be college students without formal training or experience while many subcontractors have PCA training and decades of experience. Asking detailed questions about painting crews is critical to understanding the kind of work and attention your project will receive. - Does the company always use written contracts and allow customers to review the contract before signing?
Verbal promises are nice, but they aren’t legally binding. You’ll want to make sure the company always provides a written contract you can review. - How available are their painters? Do they finish a project in one period of time or do they stop and start the project?
Some companies, especially small painting companies, prefer to start and stop projects so they can have multiple projects happening simultaneously. They may work on the project for a lower price and might even do a great job, but having plastic on your windows and a hammer hanging from your gutters for four weeks is not ideal. Be sure to set priorities and expectations with the company regarding the work to be done before signing a contract. - How do the painters prepare the space for painting?
Be wary of any company that says they don’t prep a space before painting. Spills can happen during any painting project. Preparing the space by taping and using plastic tarps protects the sections of the space that won’t be painted, such as the carpet or window trim. - Does the company check for lead paint? What is the process for dealing with lead paint?
If you have a home built before 1979 the chances are high that lead paint was used for a previous paint job. This is highly toxic and especially dangerous for pets and young children. Properly cleaning and removing lead paint is critical for the company and for preventing a real liability for you as the homeowner. - What kind of paint does the company use? How many coats of paint will be needed?
Some painting companies use ambiguous industry terms to make a lower-quality paint sound like it is high quality. You should know for sure what kind of paint the company plans to use for your project and how it will be applied. - What safety procedures and rules are in place for painting projects? Does the company have workers’ compensation insurance?
No one wants a painter to get injured during a project. It’s important the company you hire has measures in place to prevent injuries and to care for any injuries that may happen during the project.
Asking these questions will quickly help you determine which painting company is the best fit for your painting project. If you’re interested in learning more about JMJ Painters as a partner for your next painting project, please give us a call at (612) 255-3351 or schedule a free estimate online.