Finding a Painting Contractor

If you do not already have a painting contractor that you feel comfortable with or you do not know friends or family that can give you a referral, this is how I would go about finding a painter.

I would first stop by a local paint store and ask for the manager or outside sales representative, not the clerk behind the counter. I would then ask him or her to read the following five questions and provide me with three painters names and phone numbers that would apply.

1. The painting contractor must be consistently courteous to all staff members, not just the manager or outside sales representative.

2. The contractor must seem knowledgeable, organized and professional.

3. The contractor must purchase quality paint, primers and caulking regularly, not what you would call mid-line materials.

4. Only provide contractors that keep their accounts paid in full  each month consistently.

5. You would send this contractor or any of his crew to paint the interior of your parents or loved one's home?

The following questions are then asked to the referred painting contractors. You really just need the basics here.

1. What is your contractors license number?

2. How long have you made your living by painting?

3. How long have you painted in your current area?

4. How many employees do you have?

5. Could a list of customer referrals and addresses be obtained?

6. Do you provide a written warranty and for how long?

So now you have 3 referred painters and some basic information from each one. It's time to see what the contractor's referrals thought of his or her work, if that is possible.

If you are able to speak with any of the painters referrals, you might want to ask the following.

1. Did the contractor complete your job within the agreed upon amount of time?

2. Did the contractor keep the job orderly and was the job cleaned up at the end of each day.

3. Was the contractor consistently courteous and professional throughout the course of the job.

4. Did the contractor leave you with a written warranty and for how long?

5. Would you have this contractor do work for you again?

If you are not able to speak with any of the referred customers, then at least drive by and visually inspect the job sites. Don't just glance, really look the jobs over as much as possible. Does the painter seem to pay attention to detail?

Here are some questions to ask commercial painters referrals

1. Did the contractor complete your job within the agreed upon amount of time?

2. Did the contractor keep the job site clean and orderly each day?

3. Was the contractor consistently courteous throughout the course of the job?

4. Do you feel that the contractor followed the job specifications completely and accurately?

5. Was the contractors paperwork and billing statements orderly and correct?

6. Did it seem that all OSHA requirements were followed regularly?

7. Were any extras priced fairly or unusually high?

8. Would you have this contractor complete work for your company in any fashion in the future?

Now check your state's Construction Contractors Board online.

1. To make sure the painting contractor's license is up to date.

2. To make sure the painting contractor's bond is up to date.

3. If the painter has employees, make sure that a workman's comprehensive policy exists, is paid and up to date. NOTE: Some painters hire their employees through temporary agencies that provide the comprehensive policy, you will need to acquire that information.

4. To make sure that there are no complaints filed on the painting contractor.

Finally the Better Business Bureau should be contacted to make sure there are no complaints filed against the painting contractor.  http://www.bbb.org/

If the contractor checks out after this, then call him or her and get a bid. This will give you a chance to meet the painter and find out if his or her pricing is competitive.