Many factors go into finding professional exterior painters. Painters and other construction contractors do not have the best reputation for being reliable but if you do your homework you can increase your chances of getting a good one.
The Importance of Finding a Reliable Painter
We often hear stories from customers about the bad experiences they have had with other painting contractors they have hired. In many cases, it could have been avoided by finding the red flags before agreeing to work with them. Make sure to take your time and do your research so you don’t get burned.
5 Signs of Reliable Painters
- A reliable painter should always have a valid contractor’s license, insurance, and bonding. Of course, many bad painters have these items but make sure they have these items at the very least. The contractors board website can tell you how long they have been in business and if they carry worker’s compensation insurance which is required if they have employees.
- A reliable painter should have a lot of good reviews online. Online reviews may not be 100% accurate all the time but you can usually find out if someone has had a bad experience and decide for yourself if it is a valid complaint. You can ask them for references but they are not likely to give you the names of customers that did not like them so that usually does not help much.
- Check the contractors board website to see if they have any past complaints or if they have ever had their license suspended. Again these items don’t always mean they are bad painters but if you see many complaints that is a bad sign.
- I am a firm believer that it should not be hard to get in touch with a reliable painter. If you can call or email them and get a response that is a good sign. Did they get you an estimate in a timely fashion or did it take them forever? Painting estimates are usually not that complicated and most companies should get them to you within a couple of days.
- I am a big fan of gut feelings and believe if I am comfortable when I meet them that I will feel good about letting them work on my home. If they show up when they say they will for an estimate that shows a sign of reliability. If they show up in a vehicle that has the company name on the side is also a great sign.
5 Signs of Skilled Painters
- You don’t get to be a skilled painter overnight so I recommend finding someone that has many years of experience. It is one thing to know how to paint and another to know how to run a business.
- A skilled painter should have a vast knowledge of paint products and be able to explain to you why one product works better than another. We always want our customers to have the knowledge to help them make the right choices. Some painters will recommend lower-end products so they can get you a low price to win the job but in the end, it will cost you more money.
- A quality painter should be able to ask you all the right questions about your project so they fully understand what you are looking for. You may want a super low-priced job versus a high-quality job but if they don’t ask the right questions they will never know.
- A skilled painter should be able to explain the process they use in person and in writing. It is important to put all the details in writing as they can say anything at a bid but if it is not in writing you have nothing to stand on if they do a bad job.
- The best painters will keep the job site clean and protect all of your belongings. A bad painter can cause a lot of damage in very little time so please beware of this.
Beware of the Use of Painting Sub-Contractors
I always recommend asking your painting contractor if they are doing the work themselves or if they are subcontracting the work out. I am not a fan of hiring any painter that is not doing the work with their own employees as they are less likely to be involved once they sell you the job and you have no idea who will show up at your home.
Beware of the low-priced painter as they should be a red flag. If the price is low they are likely cutting corners on your job or not using the right products. They may say you are getting two coats of paint and only apply one coat. I have seen low-priced painters water down the paint to save money or not finish the job once they realize they are losing money.
Reliable Painters in the Portland Metro Area
You can find reliable painters in the Portland area with the right research. Ask your friends, family, and neighbors about the experiences they have had with painters. One painter may be the perfect fit for some people but not others so find the painter that you feel comfortable with. If you would like to learn more about our processes please don’t hesitate to contact our team. We look forward to hearing from you!
