You have so many rooms to paint that you can’t imagine doing it yourself. Or maybe you have a tricky job like painting kitchen cabinets that needs to be done. You realize that this is beyond your skills or you just don’t have the time to do it and want to leave it in the hands of a pro. But how to find the right person for the job?
Don’t worry! Here are five things to consider when looking to hire a professional painter to get the job done properly and within a reasonable budget, featuring advice from Dave Carlisle, the owner of 2 Guys Painting and dad of 2. He might be the pro you’re looking for!
If you’re still on the fence and considering a DIY paint project, check out these tips.
1. Go to the Paint Store
Even if you are hiring someone to paint for you, head to the paint store first. Go to your local independent paint retailer, not the paint department at a big box store. You’ll find experts there who can give you advice on your job that is both free and un-biased. Talk to them about what you are looking to have done and find out what they suggest with regards to products and paint finishes. This way when you talk to the painter you want to hire, you’ll have some knowledge and a point of reference to work from. Plus you can ask them for suggestions of professional painters in your area that are available for hire.
2. Find Some Real Pros
You want to make sure that you are hiring a painter who knows what he or she is doing. Whether you find them through your local paint store, from a friend or neighbour, online or in any other way, you need to ensure they are a legitimate painter. Find out how long they have been in business. Tell them about your job and ask what they suggest. See if it resembles what you learned at the paint store. Pro painters should know what they are talking about – which sheen to use on which surface, VOC levels of paints, etc. Ask about insurance coverage, legit businesses will have it. You don’t want to be at risk in the event of an accident. And always ask for references…then check them! Dave suggests using www.HomeStars.com when looking to hire out for any trade. You’ll get listings of local contractors and reviews all in one convenient place. (And check out, Dave’s reviews on HomeStars! They are fantastic!)
3. Get Proper Quotes
To get a proper quote, a painter will need to come to your home, see your space and review the details of what you want to hire them to do. This will give you a chance to meet, see if you feel comfortable with them and hear more about their expertise. Don’t be afraid to pepper them with questions about the work they would do. After this meeting, get a quote in writing. According to Dave, a good painter will always give you the scope of work and the price for that work in a quote. Look for all the details to be outlined in the quote. Dave says that even the brand of paint should be specified here.
4. Do Some Comparison Shopping
Get quotes from two or three painters. A lot of painters can paint but not all of them prep thoroughly, warns Dave. Make sure that all of your quotes include proper preparation and the painting so that you are comparing apples to apples. Of course you want to compare pricing but the key is not to just to look for the cheapest option. It is all about balancing quality with price. Dave gave me the example of going to a hair stylist. You could pay $300 for a cut and colour, but if you do, it better look that much better than getting it done for half the price. That being said, going to a proper stylist will give you a better style than heading to a barber for a $15 cut. Your painting company’s price and reputation should match your expectations.
5. Consider Your Timing
Another thing to consider is timing. Make sure the size of the project matches your time frame and the painting company. As Dave says, you may save a dollar by hiring “Fred’s Painting” but if he works by himself, the project might take 4 weeks for him to finish. This is especially important when kids are part of the equation... How will the timing of the work impact your family? Will your kids need to be out of the house while painting is being done? What about while the paint dries? All things to ask potential painters and sort out before you say “You’re Hired!”
Want one last tip from Dave from 2 Guys Painting? There are a million short cuts that can be taken during a painting project. So hire someone you trust and believe will take pride in doing a good job. You should get what you pay for!
Good luck and happy hiring!
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