As 2023 comes to an end and a new year approaches, many homeowners are looking for ways to upgrade their homes. If you’re looking to replenish your paintwork, now may be the perfect time to do so. In 2022, there were 233,082 house painting and decorating contractor businesses in the U.S., so you have to figure out the best way to sort through them. Before you seek a painting contractor for hire, here are some questions you should prepare to ask.
1. What Type of Painting Do You Specialize In?
There are local painting companies that specialize in exterior painting, interior painting, cabinet painting, or all the above. However, some may only focus on residential or commercial care. The more services your painting contractor offers, the easier it’ll be for you in the future if you like working with them.
2. Can You Help Remove Existing Wall Coverings?
Are you tired of that old wallpaper that you’ve had for several decades? Was it a mistake to have a decorative painting that no longer suits you? How about your ceiling? Do you have an outdated popcorn ceiling? With the right painting contractor, you can get rid of these outdated wall or ceiling coverings. If you live in an older home, some features may have come with it that you didn’t have a chance to upgrade. So if you’re looking for painting services, now may be the time when you can finally make your home look as modern as it should be.
3. Can You Repair My Drywall?
No reputable painting contractor will work on a surface that isn’t ready to take on professional paint. You may have drywall that’s been damaged by cracks or dents, or you may have more extensive damage due to a poor underlining foundation and mold. When it comes to minor dents, cracks, or nail holes, your painting contractor will remove and repair those elements before any paint hits the surface. They’ll ensure those walls are smoothed, sanded down, and washed before they add primer and several clips of professional paint.
4. What Is the Projected Timeline?
There’s no set time to complete a painting project. How long it will take a painting company to finish the job depends on the size of your home, how much of it you want painted, and the size of their crew. If you’re concerned about the deadline because you’re putting off plans until your home is painted, make sure you express your concerns to your potential contractor.
5. Can You Help Me Choose a Paint Color?
A paint color can make or break a room, so why not get a professional to help you choose? Painting contractors have thousands of hours of experience. Odds are they have seen colors that can complement a house and colors that turn a room into an eyesore. Giving your contractor an idea of the colors you love, and the environment of the room and getting their recommendation can leave you satisfied with your decision. Choosing a color to bring your house to life can be difficult. Make the process easier on yourself by asking a professional.
6. Is There a Warranty?
Most reputable contractors will offer clients a warranty. A warranty is good insurance that you’re not wasting your money. The reason for this is a warranty means the contractor agrees to return to make any updates to a paint job showing signs of problems. For example, if the new paint job begins peeling, cracking, or bubbling up, clearly something has gone wrong. Under the warranty, the painting company will return and work without any additional cost to you. In some cases, they may also offer a guarantee, where they give you your money back.
7. Do You Have References?
Before you hire a contractor to come into your home, you should rest assured that other clients had a professional time dealing with them, so ask for references that you can directly contact. Someone’s online review can only go so far, and you need more direct access to any questions you have about their service. An honest and hardworking contractor will stand behind their work and not have any problem with you contacting other clients. However, if they hesitate to provide references, it may be a sign that they either don’t have the experience they claim, or their other clients wouldn’t have anything good to say about them.
8. What Is on Trend?
When it comes to trends, it isn’t just clothes and cars that are affected. American home colors also go to trends, and some are more popular than others. According to The Spruce, many homeowners have loved using colors such as black, gray, or green in 2023. Don’t worry, your painting crew will know what colors are popular in 2024 and beyond. After all, they don’t just put paint on the surface and walk away. These are industry professionals who must keep up with up-to-date trends, materials, and laws that can affect them.
9. Is Cabinet Painting Worth Doing?
Cabinets are the key to having essential storage in your kitchens and bathrooms. When it comes to your kitchen, the cabinets are one of the main focal pieces. Your existing cabinets may be beginning to show some signs of wear and tear, but are otherwise functional. In other words, you may not want to get rid of perfectly well-structured cabinets just because they don’t look new anymore. Luckily, your local painting contractor is likely to be able to help you. Many home painters understand the value that homeowners see in cabinets, so many also offer services specializing in such cabinet painting. They can work with you based on your preferences in terms of aesthetics and design. So if you merely want a transparent coating on your cabinets or a more opaque paint job, these professionals can assist you.
10. Can I See Examples of Your Work?
When you hire a contractor, it’s important to make sure they are fully capable of doing their job. You wouldn’t hire a plumber who has never installed a plumbing fixture before, so why hire a painter with no painting experience? Getting examples of your contractor’s work gives you peace of mind knowing they are a professional. In addition to ensuring they’re capable of doing the job, you can also get ideas from other homeowners in your exact position. Maybe you’ll find an elusive color you have been looking for or see how a freshly painted cabinet can complement a room, all while making sure your contractor is a master of his craft.
As you can see, there are many questions you can ask a local painting company. These questions serve as a way to help filter through so many available painting contractors. Most importantly, the goal is to see if the painting professionals understand their job and have expertise in a range of services. When you come to VS Pro Painting for your painting needs, you’ll have a company that can offer a range of services ranging from brick painting to cabinet painting to drywall repair. Finding the right painting contractor can breathe so much life into your home, and our team looks forward to doing so for you. For a range of painting services that may be long overdue in your home, contact our team today for a friendly and professional consultation.