Framing The Proper Search For Your Painting Company
Framing The Proper Search For Your Painting Company
Blog Article
How to Locate the Best Painting Company in Your Area
A reputable painting company has the expertise and skill to perform a quality job. They provide professional surface preparation, use the right materials for lasting results and offer a warranty on their work.
Make sure the contractor has worker’s compensation and liability insurance. You don’t want to be responsible for medical bills or damages if a painter is injured on your property!
1. Ask for Recommendations
Asking for recommendations is a great way to find reputable painting contractors in your area. Friends, family, and neighbors are all wonderful sources of information about painting companies and can offer firsthand opinions on their work quality, professionalism, pricing, and customer service.
You can also search online for painting companies in your area. Many have websites that feature before-and-after photos of their past projects and client testimonials. Inquire about the types of paints they use and whether they are committed to using low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints that provide a healthy indoor air quality for homeowners.
Be sure to find out how you can get in touch with the contractor during your project and if there is a dedicated foreman that will be managing the job. Larger painting companies will have office staff to help you with scheduling, changes, and questions. Smaller painting companies may rely on subcontractors to perform the labor and you will need to confirm that they are insured and background checked.
2. Search Online
Many painting companies use social media, particularly Instagram and Facebook, to showcase their past work. This strategy helps them rank high in search engine results. They often include before-and-after photos, project videos and recorded testimonials. They also offer warranties to increase customer confidence. Other online search strategies include searching HomeAdvisor, Nextdoor and Linkedin.
Many real estate agents also refer painters to their clients. This is because they want their client to be satisfied with the quality of work. If a painter isn’t good at what they do, the realtor will recommend another commercial painters near me company.
When searching for a painting company, look for a website with lots of actual photos of local projects. Avoid a website that uses stock photos with staged settings and models. You also want a company that employs their own painters, rather than calling upon subcontractors. The best painters invest in training, equipment and safety, which translates into quality work for their customers.
3. Check the License
When selecting a painting contractor, you want to make sure that they are properly licensed and insured for your protection. This ensures that if something goes wrong on the job, you are not left holding the bag. It also protects the workers if they are injured on the job.
Checking a painter’s license is easy enough by visiting your state’s website and searching for licensing information. The process varies by state, but typically includes passing an exam, providing financial statements certified by a CPA, and showing proof of insurance.
In addition to state level licensing, painters should also obtain a business license in the city where they operate and a federal tax ID (EIN). This is important for keeping track of entity renewals and ensuring that you are always in compliance with local and state regulations. For busy contractors, Harbor Compliance can help manage this process by automating renewal reminders and facilitating on time filing.
4. Check the Reviews
Painting contractors should be able to provide a detailed estimate that clearly outlines all costs, job details, and timelines. They should also have insurance coverage and offer warranties on their work.
Look for reviews on social media, online review sites, and from local residents in your area. Read through the reviews and evaluate them carefully. Most painting companies will receive a few bad reviews from time to time, but it’s how they respond to these that matters.
Ask the company for photos of their past projects. Avoid a website that uses stock photos with staged settings and models. An established contractor will have plenty of real project photos to showcase their quality and style. Also, make sure they are using dedicated in-house employees rather than subcontractors. This will ensure that the painters are familiar with your type of home and any special requirements. Lastly, find out whether they are trained and certified to handle lead paint removal on older homes.