Are you eager to give your office a new coat of paint? A fresh coat can help you make a strong first impression with potential customers. A lackluster, faded coat, on the other hand, might fail to wow them.
Instead of doing it yourself, consider hiring a pro. By calling a painting contractor in the area, you can ensure your business will look its best.
There are about 375,600 painters in the US. Do you know who to call?
Don’t rush to hire the first exterior painting contractors you call! Instead, use these 10 tips to find professionals in the area. With these tips, you can make sure to find someone who has the tools and experience you need.
Start your search with these tips today!
1. Ask Around
First, ask coworkers, neighboring businesses, and your professional circle if they can recommend a painting contractor in the area. Do you know someone who worked with a painting company recently? Would they recommend that painter’s services?
Speaking with your inner circle first will help you find unique insights about a painter’s services.
If you don’t know anyone who hired local painting contractors recently, that’s okay. You can also start searching through online directories.
Once you have a list of potential painters to work with, you can use the rest of these tips before making your choice.
2. Look for Experience
During your search for commercial painting contractors, visit the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. Make sure the painters on your list of potentials are listed as members. You can also use the BBB website to see if a contractor is a member of a trade association.
Most painters that are members of associations are stable and committed to their trade.
While you’re online, try to determine how long the company has run. A brand new business likely still working out the kinks. New businesses don’t always have the resources necessary to take on big projects, either.
A lasting business, on the other hand, has survived the local competition.
They’ve also learned from their mistakes over the years. In other words, they won’t make costly mistakes while working on your painting project.
Before hiring a painting contractor, determine who will work on your project. How much experience does each contractor have?
It helps to confirm that the painters are safe and trusted, too. Does the contractor run background checks? Do they hire employees or use subcontractors instead?
In most cases, it helps to hire a company that hires employees. Otherwise, make sure the company can vouch for their subcontractors. Do the subcontractors receive any training?
Is their workmanship high-quality?
You can also ask if the company provides employees with regular training. A company that prioritizes training will make sure their team stays up-to-date with the best techniques and practices.
3. Verify They’re Licensed and Insured
As you continue researching local painting contractors, make sure the companies on your list are licensed and insured.
A company that covers commercial properties will need a specific license. Some licenses are specific for the type of project, too. Before hiring someone, make sure the contractor has the right license for your job.
Verify that the company has the right insurance, too.
What if someone gets injured while working on your project? Will you have to cover the costs? If the company has insurance, you won’t have to worry.
Take the time to ask if the company has a comprehensive business liability. Otherwise, you might have to take responsibility for any accidents. You can learn more about coverage for painters here.
4. Read Online Reviews
About 84% of people trust online reviews as much as friends. If you want to learn more about the exterior painting contractors on your list, look for reviews.
You can find reviews for each painting contractor in your area on their Google My Business and BBB listing. Some companies post reviews on their websites, too. Looking for reviews on a third-party website will help you develop a full picture of the business.
Otherwise, there’s a chance they only post positive reviews on their website.
If a company has one or two bad reviews, don’t discount them right away. If they have more negative reviews than positive ones, you might want to cross them off your list.
Ask if you can speak with some of the company’s recent clients. Speaking with one of their clients will give you the chance to ask questions about their experience.
5. Explore Their Projects
Before hiring a painting contractor, you’ll want to make sure they can handle the scope of your project.
Ask if they have any photos from their previous projects. You can also check for a portfolio on their website.
Does the painter’s work meet your standards and expectations?
If not, cross them off your list.
6. Inquire About Warranties
It can also give you peace of mind to ask about the company’s warranty. Do they provide a one- or three-year warranty? Does the warranty cover labor and materials?
The company might have specific exclusions. Make sure to review the warranty in depth. You should also ask for a copy of the warranty in writing.
If there are any disputes about what’s included in the warranty, later on, you can refer to your copy.
7. Review Their Materials
Ask the painter what materials they plan on using for your office. If they choose cheap, sub-par materials, the color might fade after a few years. Weather and sun exposure can cause exterior paint to fade much faster.
Look for a contractor that uses high-quality materials.
It’s important to note that the materials they use will factor into your estimate. You’ll pay what you get. If you want the paint job to last, look for a company that prioritizes quality.
Otherwise, you might have to call them again in a few years.
8. Interview Potentials
Once you have a list of potential commercial painting contractors, take the time to speak with each one. You can call most contractors over the phone. Contacting them through email, on the other hand, can help you keep a written record of what you discuss.
First, make sure to outline the scope of your project. Can the painting contractor meet your expectations? Do they have enough people on staff to handle a bigger project?
If you decide to handle the meeting in person, walk them through your offices. Make sure you’re clear about your expectations.
During the interview, you can also ask:
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How long has your company operated?
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What products do you use?
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How many coats of paint do you use?
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Will your team uses protective equipment?
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How do you handle spills?
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How long will the project take?
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Do you hire subcontractors?
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Is a deposit required?
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How many people will work on my project?
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What do we do if I have a problem?
A company that values transparency will give you in-depth, honest answers. If their answers are simple or they beat around the bush, keep looking. You want to work with a company that’s professional and honest.
Also, ask about their preparations. What kind of preparation time will the contractor need? A professional contractor won’t cut corners. Instead, they’ll complete the necessary prep work to do the best possible job.
9. Read the Contract
Before hiring local painting contractors, take the time to review the contract in depth. The contract should include any details you discussed with the painter. Make sure the price of materials, labor, and other estimates are in writing, too.
Does the contractor’s estimate include interior and exterior work? Is there anything missing from the contract that you discussed during the interview?
As with the warranty, make sure to get the details you discussed in writing. Understanding the specifics outlined in the contract will help you dispute any issues later on.
Make sure your contract includes the anticipated start and end dates for the project. It should also outline:
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Workday start and end times
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Clean up details
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Preparation details
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The warranty
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Payment expectations
If something is missing from the contract, let the painting contractor know. Don’t sign a contract if you’re not comfortable with the agreement.
10. Request Three Bids
As you speak with commercial painting contractors in the area, as each one for a quote. Gathering quotes from different contractors will help you determine the average in the area.
When paying for local painting contractors, you’ll need to consider the cost of materials and the cost of labor. Painters that use a premium-quality exterior paint could charge you $25 to $40 per gallon used.
Don’t rush to choose the cheapest contractor, though. Instead, review the tips mentioned above. Does the contractor meet the qualifications on your list?
Consider each contractor’s experience, cost, and workmanship. Make sure they’re capable of completing your project.
Hire Right: 10 Tips for Finding a Professional Painting Contractor
Don’t hire the first painting contractor you speak with. Instead, use these 10 tips to find the best commercial painting contractors around. With this guide, you can verify the company’s workmanship and professionalism.
Otherwise, you could end up working with a company that only disappoints.
Looking for more business development advice? Explore our latest Tips today for more help!
