Paint is one of the easiest ways for homeowners to spruce up their home. A splash of color can make a huge difference in any room. Painting is one of the most time-consuming projects as well. Many homeowners decide against the hassle of doing it themselves and hire a painting company to paint for them. Here are some important questions to ask before deciding on one.

What References Do You Have?

All businesses are successful because of their customers. And, all of the fancy advertising in the world will not bring in more customers if the company doesn’t do good work. Word of mouth is the oldest form of advertising for any business. Many times, Americans will talk to their friends and family when they start looking for a painting company. In the new technology era, there are great websites for homeowners to read reviews about many different companies. Depending on the sites, these reviews will be honest, unbiased accounts of the work performed. Some painting companies may even have a website with reviews, but often times these are handpicked to reflect a more positive view of the company.

How Long Have You Been in Business?

Bad businesses do not tend to stay around for very long. If the company is not professional and customer friendly, previous clients will stop referring them to their friends and family. Worse, if the painting company is less than honest, the police may decide how long they stay in business. Most often, the companies that have been around awhile are a safe bet. They treat their clients right and do not use shady tactics to get more money.

Are You Licensed and Insured?

Depending on the locality, painters need to be licensed by the government to perform work. While some areas do not require licensing, some require the business to register in order to collect business fees and taxes. Others require the license to ensure good business practices are being followed and to track performance. All painting companies, though, should have insurance. They should have workers compensation insurance to cover any accidents to their workers and liability insurance to cover any damages or even theft that may be caused by their crew.

How Is the Contract Structured?

The contract is the most important part of the deal. It should list in detailed fashion all the work to be performed. This should include a detailed list of what work is to be performed by the painting company and at what points in the project payment is due. Due dates should not be specific dates, but a list of milestones. It should also include a detailed list of materials and who will be performing the work. Some painting companies will use their own employees while others may contract out to a third party. The most important thing for homeowners to consider when hiring a professional painter is how they treat people. Early in the process of interviewing different companies, the ones that take the time to explain things are usually the best.

Article submission by St. John’s Painters