Tips About Finding and Hiring the Right Painting Contractors

Almost anyone can paint a room, but who has the time? Those who don't have time or the umpphh are at the mercy of the local painting contractor. It can be difficult to choose a contractor without a word of mouth reference. The phone book is full of "A-1" and "Best" painting companies singing the praises of having the finest company in town. Below is a list of suggestions to consider when trying to get the most for your money.

Free Estimates: Any contractor should offer free estimates. Make sure you have a bottom line. Don't let the contractor "estimate" a price of three hundred dollars and then hit you with a five hundred dollar bill for unexpected work. Get the estimate in writing and find out what the very most is that you will be charged.

The Price: If the contractor quotes a price that you feel is high, ask what the work includes. The price may be reduced if there is less preparation. For example, maybe the contractor is including painting the ceiling, sanding the woodwork, filling all holes and imperfections, sanding the walls smooth, taping the windows, moving furniture, etc. All of these preparations do make the job look better, but sometimes it's okay to tell the contractor, "Skip the woodwork and just paint the walls."

The Crew: Find out how many people will be on the crew- even if it's one person. Request that the same people who start the job, finish the job. It's the same concept as eating a meal that was prepared by three different chefs. Everyone has their own style. Keeping the same crew will ensure a uniform job.

The Paint: Paint can be expensive. Even if you get the "20 year warranty" paint, who really wants the same color in their kitchen for 20 years? Dirt cheap paint is not recommended as it tends to be watery and the contractor spends more time putting extra coats on the walls which in the long run, costs you more money. However, there are "middle-of-the-road" paints at Home Depot and Sears that go on the walls just fine. Sometimes contractors "up" the price of the paint for going to the store to get it - fairly enough. You can go to the store though, and choose the paint and the color and maybe save yourself a few bucks in the process.

Clean-Up: Most professionals leave the room clean, but no painting job is "spotless". Inevitably, you will find a spot here and there after the painter leaves. Every local hardware store carries a non-toxic solvent in a one-quart can called Denatured Alcohol. This is a painter's miracle in a can. It safely takes paint from floors, carpets, woodwork, even clothing without burning or damaging the surface. Excessive and/or forceful rubbing may cause a bit of dullness to a shiny area, but this is not usually the case. Sprinkle a little of the clear, water-like liquid over the paint spot or dab on heavily with a rag. Let it sit for about three minutes. Wipe off with the alcohol-soaked rag. Use a second application for tough spots.

Time: Seriously, any professional should be able to paint a 10x12 room in a day. If there is extensive preparation, or water damage to the area, naturally, this affects the time spent. Larger rooms are easier to paint because there is more room to move around and the painter can get a rhythm going. Don't let a painter tell you that because a room is larger it will cost "much" more. A small bathroom with a toilet, tub, sink, and medicine chest is a lot more time consuming and aggravating to paint than a wide open living room.

Good Business Etiquette: A professional painter should always leave his (or her) card or phone number and guarantee their work. The painter should be willing to return up to a week from finishing to touch up any necessary areas that may not have been noticed. All switch plates and outlet covers should be cleaned and replaced. All furniture should be replaced as necessary. Wall hangings should be the responsibility of the homeowner as it is considered personal property. Although it's not the painter's responsibilty, it's okay to ask the painter to help you hang a heavy mirror, or to get a portrait hung evenly. Latex paint only takes 20 minutes to dry.

All in all, there are good painters out there if the homeowner knows the questions to ask. It's okay to pay top dollar for a great paint job; but, it's not okay to pay top dollar for mediocre work. Deciding the kind of paint job required for the project is half the battle. With this in mind, anyone can confidently hire a professional and know that they got their money's worth.