Hiring the right contractor is important if you would like to have your home or place of business painted. To help you find the correct one, here are several questions to ask.
Questions you should ask contractors
How many years have you been in business? - The longer the painting company has been in business, the better. They survived that long for some reason, and that is by offering great services.
Do you have the necessary licenses? - Licensing standards can be different among jurisdictions, and some cities or states don't require them. In areas that do, ascertain if the painting company you hire has the needed license to operate.
Are you insured and bonded? - Insurance is crucial because you don’t want to be liable for a worker’s injury or damage to your neighbor’s property while the contractor is working in your property. Bonds give you financial protection in case the painting company walks off the job or fails to finish it.
Are you a part of any nationwide or local painting contractors’ associations? - Although not an assurance of quality, it is an excellent sign that they are trustworthy.
Do you subcontract your work or perform it yourself? - The contractor and the subcontractor may have completely different ideas of what quality is, and so, there’s a likelihood that you won't get what was promised.
Will you provide written guarantees for the project? - Reliable painting contractors offer guarantees for their work for a fair duration. If they don’t, search for another contractor. Select a contractor that provides a warranty on both materials and labor.
Can you provide me with references? - A trusted painting company wouldn’t think twice to offer you references. Be sure to obtain no less than three references from past customers and communicate with them directly. Ask to inspect houses or buildings the panting contractor recently painted and those that they have painted several years ago to see how their work is holding up.
Things to ask references
Was the work started and completed on time and on budget? - Miscalculations by the contractor in both the length and the cost of the job can be inconvenient. It can also bring about unnecessary expenses.
What difficulties happened during the work and were these sorted out promptly? - Despite proper planning, problems may appear. Ask the past client how the issue was resolved and whether it was done correctly and quickly. Go here to find St. Petersburg commercial painting contractors.
Are you willing to hire the contractor again? - Any reluctance on the part of the former client could indicate a problem. Make sure to give the reference an chance to express their thoughts or feelings about the contractor.