10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Painting Contractor
There is so much more to hiring a painter than finding someone who simply has a brush. When you look for a contractor, you should be interested in a team that will take care of your home as if it were their own. Giving your home a paint refresh can take it to the whole next level, and you want results that are going to last. Often, homeowners – especially ones ready to sell – jump into hiring painters, only to end up with peeling paint, hidden fees, and extra frustration to follow. The market is full of varying painters from professionals with decades of experience, to unlicensed and unprofessional painters who end up cutting corners.
Deciding on the right painter starts by asking the right questions. Finding someone reliable will not only bring your mind to easy, but ensure you are protecting your home. Below are 10 essential questions every homeowner should ask before hiring a painting contractor in Ontario.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured?
Licensing is the most important question on the list. Every painting contractor must have the proper business license that carries both liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage to operate in Ontario.
This is so important because if your property gets damaged, or a painter gets injured while working on your property, you may be liable if the business does not have proper insurance in place. Ensuring your painter has proper business insurance protects you, your property, and your contractors.
Ask for proof of insurance, don’t just take their word for it! A professional painting team will be happy to provide you with documentation of their insurance.
2. How Long Have Your Been in Business?
Although every business must start somewhere, painters with experience have mastered their skills. Experience can bring knowledge of how to deal with unexpected situations arising and built a strong reputation around their community.
Painting requires so much more than just simply applying colour to a surface. Especially in the Canadian weather, knowledge of products and differing surfaces matter. Experience in painting includes knowing what steps need to be taken to ensure lasting results.
A business with 5-10 years’ experience will typically have the team, knowledge, training, and proper steps in place to complete your job with professionalism and productivity.
3. Can You Provide Recent References?
You know how important it is to provide references to a new employer – and you should treat contractors coming into your home just the same. A trustworthy painting contractor should be willing to connect you with previous clients who can talk about their experiences. This will allow you to ensure you are bringing a quality team into your home with professionalism, punctuality, and great communication.
Although online reviews give you a great understanding of the company and their work, being able to talk directly with another homeowner gives you the reassurance you have hired the best team around!
Don’t be afraid to ask for references of jobs reflecting your project so you can get information for what the process may look like for you.
4. What Prep Work is Included in Your Estimate?
This is where you will discover the difference between a professional and a “cheap” painter. Proper preparation depends on each job but results in the best finish. Typical prep work may include, but is not limited to:
Patching holes and cracks
Sanding rough areas
Caulking gaps around trim and windows
Cleaning surfaces before painting
Applying primer where necessary
Even if your painters are using the highest quality paint on the market, without proper preparation, you will see peeling, bubbling, or cracking within a few months.
The best way to ensure there is going to be proper prep work done is discussing the steps with your contractor, and getting a written estimate that outlines the prep work that will be done prior to beginning to paint.
5. What Brand and Grade of Paint Do You Use?
Premium brand such as Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore offer professional results with their higher durability, rich colours, and better coverage compared to other paints.
Although they may be slightly more expensive, you will be saved from having to repaint in a few years. Over time, you will see the high-quality paint last through the temperature changes and everyday wear.
Ask your contractor what their professional opinion is on paints, and make it known if you have a preference! Painters should have the knowledge to give you pros and cons of using certain paint brands.
6. Do You Offer a Warranty on Your Work?
When using professional painters, they should typically offer a 1-3 year warranty on their work. This shows that they stand behind their work and are promising you a flawless finish in your home.
Life happens, so if you are finding issues such as peeling, blistering, or flaking after your painting has been done, your contractor should be confident in their work and willing to offer their support to fix the issues.
Ensure your warranty is in writing, so you have a piece of mind that your project is covered in the future. Having this information in writing will clarify what exactly is covered and for how long after your project is completed.
7. How Do You Protect Furniture and Flooring?
When hiring a quality painter, you should look for someone that cares about more than your walls. They should be taking the steps to also protect your belongings, including your furniture, floors, and every other space in your home. This will include covering furniture with plastic, laying down drop cloths over your floors, and taping off edges to ensure clean lines.
Your fresh paint job will mean nothing if your floors, furniture, or other belongings are ruined in the process.
When your contractor is first entering your home, complete a walkthrough to confirm your needs and talk about the steps they will be taking to protect your space.
8. What’s Your Payment Schedule?
As a homeowner, you should be cautious of contractors that ask for their full payment upfront. A standard payment structure might include:
A deposit (10-30%) before work begins
Progress payments for large projects
Final payment upon completion and inspection
When a payment schedule is outlined during the initial agreement, both parties are protected. This will ensure the painter has cash flow to start the project, and the homeowner is at ease that the project will be done to their satisfaction.
Never pay the full amount before work begins – even to someone who you may have trusted in the past.
9. Who Will Be Doing the Work?
Each company works differently. While some employ their own team, others may hire subcontractors. While there are pros and cons to both options, you should have the knowledge of who will be brought into your home.
Employees will be trained directly by the company you are hiring, which holds the company’s standards and creates more consistency with your project.
Subcontractors can vary in skill, which may bring in knowledge and experience that someone on the company’s team does not hold. Unless directly managed, reliability can vary between subcontractors.
Having people in your home to do work can be overwhelming. As a homeowner, you want to ensure people working on-site are possess the right qualifications and are insured.
Always ask if your project will be managed and personally supervised by the company’s owner, team lead, or project manager.
10. How Long Will the Job Take?
Time and money matter to both you and the contractor. When hiring professional, they should be able to provide a clear outline of how long your job will take to complete based on the size and complexity of the project taking place.
Ensuring you have clear timelines help you determine how to live around the work. This matters especially if you have to move furniture, take time off work, or schedule other contractors.
Although there are varying factors that may change the timeline slightly, having this outline and communication ensures your life isn’t interrupted throughout the process. Ask your painter what policy they have for delays and what it may look like if the project runs behind schedule.
Why These Questions Matter
Each of these questions can help you understand the type of business you are hiring. Homeowners often get 2-3 quotes before hiring a team and go with the lowest price without knowing all the facts. This can lead to issues arising during or after the project that may not be properly taken care of. The last thing you want is to hire a team and later discover they did not complete prep work, are using low-quality paint, or are uninsured with no warranty. When you meet a contractor and ask these 10 questions, you will ensure your home (and wallet) are protected. Painting is so much more than a colour on the wall – it’s you investing in your home’s value, beauty, and comfort.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
When you decide to paint your home, make sure you hire a business that has all the right qualifications and processes. Whether you’re adding an accent wall, refreshing your whole interior, or creating an outdoor oasis every step matters.
At Painters Near Me, we encourage homeowners to ask us all of these questions so you can gain the piece of mind we are the right team for you. We are licensed, insured, and proud to provide a quality team that uses top-quality paints. Our team starts with detailed estimates, protection of your home, and guarantees you work that you can trust.
Ready to transform your home? Contact Painters Near Me today for a free, no-obligation quote. Let us show you what professional painting should look like.