Telling a good painting contractor from a bad one is not only hard, but also VERY important.
Choose the wrong one and you may see a drop in both the quality and the numbers in your bank account when you have to fix all their errors.
When searching for a painting contractor in the San Francisco Bay Area or New York
City, you must do your due diligence to ensure that you are hiring a professional. A
painting contractor who will provide high-quality work and meet your needs and
expectations.
Here are 7 ways to tell if you’re hiring a good painting contractor or a bad one:
1. Credentials:
A reputable, good painting contractor should be licensed, bonded, and
insured.
Confirm that the contractor you’re considering has met local, state,
and federal regulatory requirements and can provide proof of licensing and
2. Past Performance:
Research the contractor’s reputation by checking their
references and reviews from previous clients.
You will get a sense of their
experience level and quality of work by doing your research.
Customized Approach: Every project is unique and different. It is crucial to choose a
contractor who will take the time to understand your specific needs and tailor
their approach to meeting them.
3. Quality of Materials and Techniques:
A professional painter will use high-quality
paints and materials and understand various painting techniques and
how to prepare surfaces for painting properly.
4. Attention to Detail:
A good painting contractor will pay close attention to detail and
ensure the work is done to the highest standards.
Suppose the contractor you
are considering is giving you only a half-page handwritten quote. In that case,
some of the necessary information for such an important project is missing.
5. Communication:
A good contractor will keep you informed throughout the
process, from the initial estimate to the final walk-through. They will be
responsive to your questions and concerns and ensure you are satisfied with
the work (particularly if you’re doing some residential painting).
If communication is poor during the estimate process, it will likely
be lacking during the painting process.
6. Guarantee/Warranty:
A good contractor will stand behind their work and be
willing to provide a guarantee or warranty on their work. Ensure the
contractor gives you a written warranty, not just a handshake promise.
7. W-2 Employees vs. 1099 contractors:
There are two primary reasons why it is
essential to understand the difference between W-2 employees and 1099
independent contractors:
a) Limited Control.
Contractors have limited control
over how 1099 contractors work and when they work. How can the
contractor ensure that projects are completed on time and to the company’s
standards when they have no control over the 1099 contractor?
b) Liability:
1099 contractors are not covered under most labor laws, which means that
companies are not responsible for providing a safe working environment or
protecting the contractor from discrimination or harassment.
In the event of
an accident or significant labor issues, the liability of the problem could be
passed along to the property owner.
Does Anyone Really Meet All These Requirements?
It‘s hard to find a good painting contractor, one that has all the details mentioned above.
You should really check in-depth when looking for them. Google locally, and see what’s appearing first.
Few contractors in New York City or the San Francisco Bay Area can say they do all of these, so check for professionals that have the most experience in the industry.
If you‘re serious about quality and want someone with years of experience in the field, then you should schedule a consultation with us here.
We have a limited amount of projects we can take on at a time, so schedule it now before we run out of spots!