How to Work with a Painter

By Kathy Woodard

One of the first home improvement projects many new homeowners tackle is painting. It doesn’t matter if you need to find a painter for your interior projects or your exterior projects, you should follow the same protocol in making your decision. Choosing a painter wisely will contribute to a quality job done on time and budget that will increase the value and livability of your home. Learn how to work with a painter to get the job done right.

Choosing a Painting Company

When choosing a painting company or contractors, remember the rules are the same as hiring any contractor. These people will be working on your most valuable investment, so don’t choose carelessly.

1. Ask Friends and Family:
One of the most common and best ways to find a painter you want to work with is to ask referrals from your friends and family. People are not likely to recommend a company that did not do a good job for them, so getting a referral by word of mouth is gold in the contracting industry. Ask your friends if you can inspect the job that was done, and ask them lots of questions.

• Did the complete the job as you agreed?
• Were they helpful in choosing colors and finishes?
• Did they use a quality product?
• Did they finish on time?
• Were they clean, courteous and honest?
• Most important… Would you hire them again?

2. Ask Their Supplier
Most people don’t think to talk to the people who the painting contractor works with on an ongoing basis. Find out the paint supply company the prospective painting contractor works with, and talk to the person behind the counter or the individual who deals with the orders. Ask them their opinion on the contractor’s professionalism and integrity. Ask them to tell you what they know about them. Often times these casual conversations can be the most revealing.

3. Research Reviews Online
Once you find a couple of painting companies you are interested in, go online and see if you can find some reviews by real customers. Keep in mind that few companies can please all the people all of the time, but these reviews should be mostly positive. Make sure you watch for danger signs like “took my money and didn’t finish the job” or “shoddy work”… or worse.

When you finally do choose your painting contractor, remember to get it all in writing. As with any job that you commission such as with a home decorator or a kitchen remodel. Ask for a guarantee, and make sure all the products and deadlines are specified in the contract as well.

Pay in installments, and do not make the final payment until after the job is finished to your approval. Ask about saving money by booking in their off season, or by moving furniture and prepping yourself. A good contractor will work with you within your budget and time constraints.

How to Choose Paint Colors with your Painting Contractor:

It’s always ideal to go into your planning meeting with your painter with some ideas of what kind of color scheme you want. Peruse the internet and look through books and magazines for ideas to bring with you. An experienced painter will take the time to help guide you into making good color choices, so listen to their opinion with an open mind. Often they know something you might not have considered, such as lighting and surface conditions that might affect the final look. In the end however, they are working for you, so make sure you are happy with the final decision before they start to paint. Ask them to show you sample boards if possible, or provide you with a sample pint of paint you can try out at home in different lighting conditions. One tip: Do not change your mind after the painting has already begun, unless you want to pay a lot more and upset your contractor. When you hire a contractor, they plan their time well in advance, and a last minute change can affect his other clients as well. A good respect for your painter will go a long way towards getting the job done right.

If you learn the ins and outs of how to work with a painter, getting a quality job done will enhance your home faster and more affordably than most home improvement projects. Follow these guidelines to get your painting job done well, on time and on budget.

Kathy Wilson Woodard is an author, columnist and home decorating expert. Visit her on her websites: http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com and http://www.DecoratingYourSmallSpace.com