Painting your house’s exterior or interior is one of the quickest ways to boost your home’s value. But choosing the best professional painter for the job can feel intimidating. Knowing the right questions to ask before hiring a painting contractor will put your mind at ease when making this important decision.
Bella Vista Painting & Drywall serves homeowners and businesses in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR, and the surrounding areas. Our expert, friendly crew will complete your interior or exterior paint job with excellence so you can enjoy a fresh, new look. Our exterior paint season books quickly, so contact us today to get a free estimate for your project.
Why Hire a Professional Painter?
The DIY spirit is alive and well in home improvement, and we’re all for rolling up your sleeves to tackle projects independently. But it’s tough to get great results for the time and money invested in exterior painting without a professional contractor.
Hiring a professional painting contractor means you don’t have to think about the following parts of the process:
- Measurements and ordering sufficient product
- Picking up the paint
- Drop cloths, brushes, sprayers, and other equipment
- Prepping the home for paint
- Covering plants and landscaping
- Cleaning up after completion
- Disposing of empty buckets or unused paint
All of these pieces add up to significant time and expense when you need to handle them yourself. By hiring a professional for your exterior paint job, you can enjoy an excellent finished project without the hassle of doing it on your own.
Since pro painting contractors do this work day in and day out, they can typically complete the project in a fraction of the time it would take you. For something as significant as exterior paint, it’s worth the investment in a professional.
Crucial Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Painting Contractor
Many people recommend getting at least three bids for any major home improvement project, and it’s generally a good rule of thumb. But it’s also important to ask the following questions as you look at the estimates to ensure you have an apples-to-apples comparison.
1. Are you licensed and insured?
A lot of folks paint homes for money, but that doesn’t mean they’ve all taken the necessary steps. Companies should protect themselves, their workers, you, and your property through proper insurance and licensing.
When getting exterior paint estimates, ask for their CCB license number (Construction Contractors Board) and then be sure to verify it. Many contractors list a number, but that doesn’t mean it’s current. In Oregon, you can check a license here. In Washington State, use this link to verify a license. Any painting contractor you hire should also carry liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
2. Do you hire employees or subcontractors?
First of all, subcontractors are very common in construction. The fact that someone uses subs doesn’t inherently mean there is a problem. However, some companies use subcontractors to lower operating costs and avoid paying workers comp.
When looking for a professional painter, it’s ideal to choose someone who mostly hires employees rather than subcontractors. When a company has a set team of employees, the workers tend to function better on-site because they work together all the time. Hiring employees also gives the business more control over education, training, and expectations for their painters to ensure you get the best results possible.
During busy seasons, companies may need to rely on an occasional subcontractor. But they should be transparent about this when you ask.
3. Do you offer a warranty on your work?
An exterior home paint job should last up to ten years when done properly. Contractors are not required to offer a warranty, but many do. Ask your potential painting company if they provide a warranty and what you must do to keep it valid.
4. Who is doing the prep work and cleanup?
Be sure to pay close attention to this part of an estimate. Preparing a home for exterior painting requires a lot of elbow grease and attention to detail. But it’s also critical to getting the outcome you want. A poorly-prepped house will have poor results. When comparing bids, ask the contractors to clarify what prep work they will be doing.
Some homeowners want to do this part of the job themselves to save money. If that is your preference, talk with the estimator to see if they allow it and what timeline you need to meet. It’s important to note that doing the preparation yourself could impact the validity of any warranties the contractor offers.
Similarly, be sure to clarify the level of cleaning the crew will do when they finish your job. You should be able to expect a clean, tidy area free of debris and tools when all is said and done.
5. Who is my point of contact during the project?
Exterior painting crews often include four or more people working on your house. Knowing who oversees the whole project and who you should go to with questions or concerns is important. It’s also a good idea to make sure your contact person will do a walkthrough with you when the paint job is complete.
6. Will you help me choose the paint?
Most exterior painting contractors have specific brands they rely on for their jobs. When looking at estimates, be sure to look at the paint each company will use.
Are they investing in a premium brand with a good track record? Or do they use lower-quality paint? It’s your choice which route you want to take, but it’s important to know what you’re paying for when you choose a painter.
If you’re struggling to pick a house color, ask the contractor if they will help you choose. Expert painters have a good feel for the colors that go with your home style, landscaping, roof color, and more. They can guide you to an excellent choice for your house.
7. May I have a list of references to contact?
This is one of the most important questions to ask before hiring a painting contractor. An exterior paint job is crucial to protecting your home’s value and integrity, so be sure to reach out to each company’s references.
When you talk to them, ask the following questions:
- How was the company’s communication with you?
- Did the project finish on time and on budget?
- Was the crew respectful of your home?
- Did the company clean up properly when finished?
- Would you hire them again?
Presumably, if someone has agreed to be a reference, they had a good experience. But it’s still wise to talk with them and listen for any red flags that might cause a problem for your situation.
Expert Exterior Painters for Vancouver and Portland Homes
Bella Vista Painting and Drywall is a local family-owned and operated company. We serve homeowners and businesses throughout the Portland and Vancouver areas with integrity and excellence.
As homeowners, we understand the level of trust it takes to allow someone into your space to make big changes to your house. We don’t take that trust lightly. Our team works diligently and respectfully to ensure you get the results you deserve. Contact us for a free estimate if it’s time to refresh your home’s exterior or interior with a high-quality paint job.
