So you’ve decided that your home or commercial space needs a paint job. But what next?
Finding and selecting the right painting contractor for you can be a job in and of itself if you’ve never gone through the experience before (or even if you have). If you find yourself at a loss for how to find the right company to work with, keep reading to learn the best way to find and compare the best painting quotes in your city.
Let’s get started!
Reach out to friends or family to get recommendations
The first step in comparing painting quotes is to find some possible painting contractors that might be a good fit.
If possible, we recommend reaching out to other home or property owners to see if they know anybody that they’ve worked with in the past who might be a good fit to help you. Usually, if someone has had a good experience in the past, they will be excited to tell you about it and may even show you pictures of the work they got done.
If this is not possible, you can do some online research yourself, searching for painters in your area and learning more about the contractors on their websites.
Ensure they offer the right services for you and are licensed and bonded
Before you do anything else, we recommend taking a look at the painter’s website to make sure they specialize in the services you actually need. For instance, if you need someone to paint the interior of your house, make sure that they do interior, not just exterior jobs.
Another consideration is whether or not the painter works with your type of house, For instance, many painters don’t work with houses built before the 1970s.
Finally, make sure that any painter you explore working with is licensed, bonded, and insured. This protects you and your property in the event that something goes awry during the painting process.
Check online reviews
Once you have one possible contractor, we recommend that you do some online digging. We’ve found that the best way to do this is to read through some reviews from the different painters and see what past customers have to say.
Generally, you can get a good idea about how past customers feel about a painting contractor through what reviews say. Take note of not just how people talk about the painting itself, but also how they were treated, how easy the process was, and whether or not the contractors cleaned up after themselves.
Have contractors provide quotes — take note of customer service
Once you research different possible painting contractors, you should choose 2-3 painters to provide an estimate for your job. Many companies may charge for this, but only work with painting contractors who will provide you with a free estimate.
Feel free to ask these painters any questions you have about painting broadly, or even your job specifically. This is a good opportunity for you to learn more about the work you are getting done.
Compare the details of each quote
Once the painters have gotten your information, they will generally send out a written estimate within a couple of days detailing the costs of your project and what is included.
Once you have received them all, take a look at the quotes and what each contractor is offering. While the prices may vary from contractor to contractor, make sure to take a look at what is included in each quote. Do all include the same items? Do some require you to supply the paint?
Make sure that all items line up. If something looks off, make sure to reach out to the painter and ask questions. As a general rule, if something is not listed on the quote, assume that it is not included in the price they are giving you.
The last thing — make sure to get a sense of when they will get to your job and how long it will take. While one contractor might be able to get started right away, another may have a 3-month long waitlist. Make sure you know what you are getting into before agreeing to a quote.
Consider past work
Once you have a handle on what you will have to pay for with each contractor, see if they can provide you with examples of past work. It’s crucial that you make sure that anyone you select is a good painter who will provide you with excellent service.
Some painters might even provide you with references. If this is an option, don’t be afraid to call them. There is no better way to get a sense of someone’s past work than to talk with past customers.
Select the quote — and think more than about just price
Once you feel like you have all the information you need, it comes time to select the right contractor for you.
While obviously price is an important factor in your selection, we recommend that you go on more than just costs when comparing. If one painter costs less but they do a bad job and your home must be repainted again in just a couple of years, it will end up costing more in the end.
Also, make sure that they are using quality materials. Not all paint is created equal, and ensuring that your painters are using high-quality paint that will last is crucial.
Finally, make sure any painter you select was easy to work with throughout the bid process and was able to give you good answers to all of your questions. There is nothing worse than working with a contractor who did not answer your questions fully — this is often a sign that they won’t do a good job.
Work with a painting contractor who checks all the boxes
At Bluenote Painting, we work with home and business owners from across the Portland area to paint interiors, exteriors, and cabinets. We’ll work with you to make sure all of your questions are answered and that your painting job goes off without a hitch!
Contact us for a free estimate today.