If you’re a new homeowner, then you may never have hired contractors before. For example, if you want some
rooms painted in your house, you may not be sure how to find the right painting company for the job. You know enough to research local companies and to look at their website work galleries. You may have talked to a few different companies about the job and checked their references. However, you may struggle to pick the right one. Everyone on your shortlist seems capable and professional, but nobody stands out.
Look beyond the basics. If you can find a painting company that goes the extra mile before, during and after the job, then you may have found the right hire.
The following tips may help.
1. What Do You Get Before the Job?
When painting companies visit your home to quote, some simply check the scope of the work before putting a price together. Others give a more comprehensive service.
For example, an experienced painter might tell you which paints they use and why they recommend them. They give you advice on colour schemes if you want it.
A good company will also assess the rooms and tell you if you need to do any preparation work before the job starts. For example, they’ll point out fragile objects that you should remove, such as ornaments. If you need to move furniture, the painters will tell you what should ideally leave the room or, if this isn’t possible, where you could move pieces in the room to make the job easier. If you’re on your own and can’t move furniture yourself, they’ll typically agree to do this for you.
The quotes you get can also help you shortlist. While some companies might just list the job and its final cost, some painting companies go into more detail. Their quotes break down the job into stages; they list all elements of the work and the materials that they will use.
They’ll also give you a specific schedule for the job as a whole and. sometimes, for each stage. They may ask you to sign off each stage to make sure that you’re happy with the work as it progresses.
2. What Do You Get During the Job?
Professional painting companies know that decorating jobs are sometimes disruptive for homeowners. They take steps to keep any disruption to a minimum. So, for example, if the job will take a few days, the company may commit to moving furniture out of a room in the morning before they start work. The painters will then put essential items back when they’re finished working for the day so you don’t have to manage in key rooms without furniture in the evening.
Good painters will clean up after themselves every day. If they leave tools and paint behind at night,
they’ll tidily store them away so that they aren’t in your way. If you have children or pets, they’ll remove or make safe any items that might be dangerous or that might make a mess if small hands or paws get at them.
3. What Do You Get After the Job?
At the end of the job, the company should do a final and thorough clean-up before putting all your
furniture back in place. Apart from your new paint, there shouldn’t be any signs that the painters were there. Bear in mind that professional painters often offer warranties on their work and the material they use. So any company that gives this guarantee is worth serious consideration.
It’s also a nice – and useful – touch if your painter leaves behind a small, unopened tin of paint for
each colour they’ve used on the job. If you accidentally scratch or knock paintwork in the future, you can use this paint to touch things up. Luxury Design Painting is a second-generation family-owned company with over 30 years of experience. We go
the extra mile to offer a friendly and professional service. To find out more about how our team can
transform your home, contact us.
Here are a few key things to look for when hiring a painting company:
What You Get Before the Job:
- The painting company should provide comprehensive service, not just a basic quote. Look for companies that:
- Advise on paint types and color schemes
- Assess the rooms and provide preparation recommendations (e.g. moving furniture, removing fragile items)
- Provide detailed quotes that break down the job into stages and materials used
What You Get During the Job:
- Professional painting companies should aim to minimize disruption, such as:
- Moving furniture in and out of rooms each day
- Cleaning up after themselves daily and safely storing any tools/paint
- Taking precautions if you have children or pets
What You Get After the Job:
- The company should do a thorough final clean-up and put all furniture back in place
- Look for companies that offer warranties on their work and materials
- A nice touch is if they leave behind a small amount of each paint color used, for future touch-ups
Overall, the key is to find a painting company that goes above and beyond the basics – one that provides comprehensive service, minimizes disruption, and stands by their work even after the job is complete. Taking the time to research and find the right company can make a big difference in the overall experience and quality of the final results.
