Ask The Painter: What Should I Do Before Choosing A Paint Contractor? (Part Three)

February 29, 2012

Painting Your House – A Three Part Series

Over the past few weeks, we have talked to you about what’s involved in painting a house. Many people watch those do-it-yourself shows and often think “I can do that”! But what you don’t know could cost you more than money – it could cause serious damage to your home or a personal injury. Sound dramatic? Probably, but the investment you have in your home is a serious subject. So, let’s get started, shall we?

What Should I Do Before Choosing A Paint Contractor? (Part Three)

We’ve considered the pitfalls of a D-I-Y project, and the research you should do before hiring a professional. Now it’s time to narrow your choices and set appointments at your home. Choose no more than 3 to 4 contractors. Be ready to describe your project in detail, with a clear vision of your desired result.

When the contractor arrives, ask how long the company has been in business, and what their own personal experience in the industry is, and compare it to information you gained from other sources. Also, make note of your interactions. Were they courteous and arrive on time? Did they rush the visit, or take only a quick glance at the project area(s)? Did they measure the square footage or note any potential problem areas and make suggestions as to the type of products that would work best?

A reputable professional will purchase products from a local supplier – not a big box discounter. They will also have built a reputation with the supplier, as well as a credit history. Ask if the product(s) will be brushed, rolled, or sprayed, where they get their paint products, what brands of paint or stain they use. Did you look at color charts under natural and electric light, sun and shade (lighting changes perception)? Did they offer you small samples you can paint on the wall and live with for a few days?

Professional painting costs vary with location, product, materials, and local labor rates. Current industry figures range from $3.00 to $10.00 per square foot, depending upon the difficulty of the project. Most contractors deduct the surface area of windows and doors, but if you are number crunching in advance, leaving that in will bring you to a more realistic figure. Ask for both a flat rate quote and an itemized quote that lists materials, man-hour labor costs, surface preparation, clean-up, and all products or equipment involved.

Before the contractor leaves, ask for a list of references with similar projects within the past year or two that you can contact (older references may not reflect current situations). Finally, don’t sign ANY contract without a specific performance window, a “not-to-exceed” dollar limit statement, and a guarantee that all work will be done (whether or not the contractor exceeds their own budget).

In the end, the best painting contractor is a true professional. They run their businesses with integrity and won’t hire “off-the-books” or unskilled labor. They offer written quotes, warranties, and proof they are fully licensed and insured. Although it might cost a little more than that D-I-Y project you were thinking about, you’ll be glad you hired the experts!

Copyright 2012 June Cron

What Homeowners Are Saying
5.0
Average Star Rating

I can't believe the professional care we experienced with Southern Painting! The crew was very knowledgeable, experienced and took care of our older home like it was their own.

Absolutely phenomenal company to work with. Did a fantastic job and was very reasonably priced. Would highly recommend them to others!

I would definitely hire Southern Painting again. Professional, trustworthy and conscientious.

We needed to have some exterior and interior painting done and were also on a tight schedule. Southern painting did a great job and worked with our schedule. The house looks amazing! The entire process was very easy and everyone was friendly and professional.

SPECIAL OFFERS
SPECIAL OFFERS
Save Big on Your Painting Project

Visit your local Southern Painting office to find special offers in your area.

WE WORK ONLY WITH THE BEST
Do You Like Show & Tell?

Choose a video to see what you can expect from Southern Painting.

TOOLS AND RESOURCES
Our Locations

Florida

Sarasota / Bradenton, FL
Sarasota / Bradenton, FL
Tampa / Hillsborough North, FL
Tampa / Hillsborough North, FL

Georgia

Gainesville, GA
Gainesville, GA

Texas

Amarillo, TX
Amarillo, TX
Arlington, TX
Arlington, TX
Austin North, TX
Austin North, TX
Austin South, TX
Austin South, TX
Austin, TX
Austin, TX
Carrollton, TX
Carrollton, TX
Coppell / Flower Mound, TX
Coppell / Flower Mound, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
Dallas, TX
Dallas, TX
Frisco, TX
Frisco, TX
Ft Worth, TX
Ft Worth, TX
Houston Southwest, TX
Houston Southwest, TX
Houston West / Memorial, TX
Houston West / Memorial, TX
Katy, TX
Katy, TX
Mid-Cities / Keller, TX
Mid-Cities / Keller, TX
North Dallas / Richardson, TX
North Dallas / Richardson, TX
Parker County, TX
Parker County, TX
Pearland/Friendswood, TX
Pearland/Friendswood, TX
Plano/Allen/McKinney, TX
Plano/Allen/McKinney, TX
Saginaw/Haslet, TX
Saginaw/Haslet, TX
San Antonio East, TX
San Antonio East, TX
San Antonio West, TX
San Antonio West, TX
Southlake, TX
Southlake, TX
Spring / Cypress, TX
Spring / Cypress, TX
The Woodlands, TX
The Woodlands, TX
Sarasota / Bradenton, FL
677 N Washington Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34236
Tampa / Hillsborough North, FL
2502 N Ridgewood Ave
Tampa, FL 33602
Gainesville, GA
439 Green St
Gainesville, GA 30501
Amarillo, TX
2316 Lakeview Dr
Amarillo, TX 79109
Arlington, TX
4275 Little Road, Ste. 103
Arlington, TX 76016
Austin North, TX
1601 Brushy Bend Drive
Round Rock, TX 78681
Austin South, TX
7500 Rialto Blvd, Bldg 1 Ste 250
Austin, TX 78735
Austin, TX
11602 Sweetwater Trail
Austin, TX 78750
Carrollton, TX
2400 E Hebron Pkwy, Ste A
Carrollton, TX 75010
Coppell / Flower Mound, TX
405 State Highway 121 Bypass, Ste 250
Lewisville, TX 75067
Corpus Christi, TX
4444 Corona Dr, Ste 238
Corpus Christi, TX 78411
Dallas, TX
11700 Preston Rd, Ste 660, PMB 308
Dallas, TX 75230
Frisco, TX
9081 2nd St, Ste 209
Frisco, TX 75033
Ft Worth, TX
113 Sproles Dr
Benbrook, TX 76126
Houston Southwest, TX
7302 Foyer Cir
Missouri City, TX 77459
Houston West / Memorial, TX
14525 Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77079
Katy, TX
5719 Highway Blvd
Katy, TX 77494
Mid-Cities / Keller, TX
1540 Keller Pkwy, Ste 108-128
Keller, TX 76248
North Dallas / Richardson, TX
18208 Preston, Ste D9, PMB 437
Dallas, TX 75252
Parker County, TX
4455 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 114-116
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Pearland/Friendswood, TX
2304 South Galveston Avenue, Suite 3
Pearland, TX 77581
Plano/Allen/McKinney, TX
3401 Custer Rd, Ste.137
Plano, TX 75023
Saginaw/Haslet, TX
4524 Boat Club Road, Suite 186
Fort Worth, TX 76135
San Antonio East, TX
24003 Canyon Row
San Antonio, TX 78232
San Antonio West, TX
8000 Fair Oaks Pkwy, Bldg 3, Ste 3200
San Antonio, TX 78015
Southlake, TX
1500 Corporate Cir, Ste 18
Southlake, TX 76092
Spring / Cypress, TX
13121 Louetta Rd, Ste 530
Cypress, TX 77429
The Woodlands, TX
1095 Evergreen Cir, Ste 443
The Woodlands, TX 77380
JOIN OUR TEAM
Franchise Opportunities

We welcome inquiries from conscientious painting professionals! Tell us about yourself.

Start Your Application
We Need Your Painting Skills

Are you an experienced and meticulous painter interested in joining our crew?

Start Your Application
Are You Interested in Being a Project Estimator?

If you’re great with and helping people, we’d like to hear from you.

Start Your Application