Having your home painted is exciting, but it’s also a complex process and an investment in your house. A good paint job can make all the difference in your home’s appearance and its value. There’s no shortage of exterior paint contractors on the market but the hard part is choosing the right one.
Any contractor can claim to be the best at what they do. If you want to hire the contractor, look at these important things:
Their Process
An experienced exterior paint contractor should have no issue explaining their process to you. Ask about what their first steps are, how long the process takes, and what kind of equipment they use.
If they skimp including prep work and go straight to painting, consider it a red flag. For paint to go on smoothly, and stay on, it needs to go on a clean surface free of old, chipping paint. In most cases, the prep work involves power washing your home’s exterior.
Here at Sunray Painters, we are open and upfront about our processes and are more than happy to answer your questions.
Reputation
If a contractor is established, you should be able to get a good idea of their reputation. Look around at some of their reviews from previous clients. Don’t be afraid to ask for references from the contractor, either.
Insurance and Licensing
While laws do vary from state to state, most require contractors to carry certain insurance, and have the necessary license. Ask about what kind of insurance and license they have, and make sure it lines up with your local laws. A trustworthy, professional contractor should already know the state’s laws, and have the necessary requirements taken care of.
At Sunray Painters, we are familiar with the local laws here in Orlando and we have all the right insurance and licensing needed.
Expertise and Experience
These are some of the key things you want to look for. Ask your prospective painting contractor how long they’ve been in the business, how many clients they’ve worked with, and so on. While years of experience doesn’t always guarantee a great contractor, it typically does. If they’ve been contracting for over a decade and do a poor job, it’ll show in their reviews.
Experience is one thing, and expertise is another. They should have a full understanding of the painting process, and the materials they use.
When consulting with them, ask questions about what types of paint they use, why they choose those, and the paint’s durability. You want a contractor with expertise so they can help you make the best choices for your home.
Your Budget
As important as your budget might be, avoid choosing the contractor based on price alone. There’s always someone cheaper, but there isn’t always someone better. Of course, you don’t want to go with the most expensive service assuming it’s the best either.
Find a balance between quality service and your budget. On the topic of price, you should also ask the contractor how they deal with issues of higher cost, and estimates. Are you guaranteed the estimated price? How much over or under the estimate might the cost end up being? Ask these questions first to avoid surprises on your bill later.
How They Deal With Problems
Nobody wants a service to go poorly, although sometimes, there can still be issues. How the contractor deals with it makes the difference.
Sometimes, you can glean this information based on what their past clients say about them. However, it’s best to be upfront and ask for yourself. Will they guarantee a fix if the painting isn’t successful? Do they guarantee it to last for a certain time?
Also consider whether they offer a refund or repainting if the paint doesn’t turn out well. If they do, make sure you get any guarantees in writing to ensure you’re covered.
Written Plans
A professional contractor won’t just show up with a bucket of paint and get to work. They make plans for the entire project, including equipment, supplies, time needed, and more. Don’t let them start without seeing one for yourself.
Conclusion
With these tips in mind, you can find the best home exterior paint contractor for your house. It’s important to take the time to do your research, and interview the contractor before you sign a contract. Call us at Sunray Painters – we’ll be more than happy to serve you and we’ll be honored to be your chosen paint contractor!
