As part of adequate care and upkeep of a household, the cosmetics are as crucial as the primary systems. Painting both the interior and exterior of the home can help prevent deterioration, plus it makes the house warm and inviting. Many people are somewhat intimidated by handling a paintbrush and roller. You can get the hang of it, or you can’t. In order to get the kind of coverage that will keep your home protected and in good condition, a qualified, reputable painter like those at Brothers Colors Painting in Tampa, FL, would be needed.
Quality services range from one painting service to the next in the industry, making it necessary for a homeowner to research, read reviews, and ask plenty of questions when consulting with prospective painting contractors.
Consider these questions when narrowing your search down to a select few professionals. With the best answers, you’ll be able to commit to the painting service that will provide for your needs satisfactorily.
Do You Have A List of Questions About Your Painting Project For Prospective Contractors
Before committing to a painting contractor in Tampa, it’s wise to do considerable research and carefully consider your specific needs to get a qualified contractor who can provide for your needs.
Painting is a cosmetic maintenance job for the home, but it is also responsible for protecting the surfaces, keeping them in good condition, and preventing deterioration. That means you want an excellent painter with significant experience and a strong skill set.
When the work is done well the first time, you should be able to expect not only a beautiful finish but durability and longevity.
Let’s look at a few questions to ask the contractors you narrow your list down to consult with. From these few, you should find the best person to handle the job based on their answers.
Are you insured
A qualified painter should have “Comprehensive Business Liability” and “Workers’ Comp” coverages. The liability will cover your property if the contractor causes damage, and the workers’ comp protects the contractors while they perform the services on your property.
If you are uneasy about the legitimacy of the insurance, perhaps the contractor doesn’t present evidence of the coverages; you can ask to see proof or if they have a phone number for the carriers that you can call to validate the policies directly.
Ideally, the painter will present their documentation with little trouble, and these should have valid expiration dates printed on them.
Is the accompanying staff helping with the project employees of the business or subcontractors
Many businesses use subcontractors instead of hiring staff to reduce costs. Subcontractors will usually receive a flat rate. No benefits are paid to these individuals, nor are social security taxes paid. One thing that’s a concern when a company uses subcontractors is the quality of the work you’ll receive.
If the subcontractor is paid a substantially low rate, they will have little interest in performing well, instead cutting corners to finish it quickly. There is also a possibility that background checks aren’t done. That can be a safety risk for everyone.
For these reasons, working with a contractor fully staffed with qualified employees accompanying them to do the project is better than considering a painter who works with subcontractors.
Ask about the materials used for projects and request to view samples
The material’s quality will impact the project’s durability and longevity and even its appearance. Certain paints and stains are used for specific conditions, and special coatings are sometimes applied depending on the application.
The contractor should be exceptionally knowledgeable in explaining to you which paints they’ll be using on your project, why these specific materials, and show you samples of the different options if there’s more than one choice. It would help if you came away informed and able to make an educated decision.
Do you have examples of previous projects, testimonials, references, or reviews
A company that’s done well for itself, you should have heard its name if it’s local to you because reputations will precede a business; word of mouth travels. Similarly, the local home goods stores will reference the services.
A good quality painter, one who is experienced with years in the industry, will have a solid following of clients who stand behind their work. They will have positive testimonials about their reputation and individuals who refer people to the service for other projects.
You will also find their name on authoritative sites with impeccable ratings, like the Better Business Bureau, or they’ll be members of various trade organizations.
These companies will usually bring photos of previous projects to show the quality of their work so you can see for yourself in order to make a decision. If someone doesn’t offer these, ask if it was an oversight.
If they don’t bring them or have any, move on to another painter.
Final Thought
When you get satisfactory answers to your questions, the last thing to consider is the budget. You will likely have already established where you want to keep the funding. You don’t want the cheapest painters in Tampa because that will, of course, lead to the least quality almost always.
The most professional way to handle budget and cost is to take each quote from the consults; usually, a customer does roughly five consults, tell each you’ll be in contact, and then you can take a couple of days to make your decision.
You can review the answers to the questions with the bids and select the qualified, credentialed individual with a fair price. Sometimes, the best contractors will negotiate if it slightly exceeds your budget. Still, it’s important to invest when it means quality.
Also read: What Are the Pros and Cons of Painting Yourself Vs Hiring a Painter?
