Hiring the right commercial painter is essential for displaying your company in the best light to both your clients and employees. Your potential business partners will be more impressed if you keep your premises well presented, and it will be a more pleasant environment for your staff to come to work.
But, how do you find professional painting companies that will do a good job? After all, you’ll be investing your money in the project, and you want the work completed quickly, correctly, and at a fair price. The crucial aspect is to ask the right questions before you hire a contractor.
Read on to find out the 9 key questions you should ask when hiring a painter.
1. Are You Insured?
Before a contractor performs any work on your premises, you need to know they are properly insured. Business liability insurance covers the painting company for any damage they cause while they are on your property. You should ask how much their insurance coverage is for to make sure it’s enough to cover the value of your premises.
Worker’s compensation insurance is there in case the contractor’s employees or others sustain injuries during the project. There are also many other insurance types, and you can ask which policies the contractor has before you decide to work with them.
2. How Do You Vet Staff?
Some painting companies may not have thorough recruitment procedures, and this can lead to employing poor quality staff. It’s a good idea to ask if the employees undergo a background check and if they have painting qualifications. You can also check if the contractor asks for references before they employ a new painter.
3. Do You Subcontract Your Work?
A painting contractor can get cheaper labor by using subcontractors rather than employing staff. But, if the subcontractor is not professional, you could end up with a low-quality paint job. There is not necessarily anything wrong with a painter outsourcing their work, but you need to decide if you are happy with the third party carrying out the job.
4. What Kind of Paint Do You Use?
Lower quality paints may not achieve your desired results and could fade quickly. You can check if the contractor uses high-quality paints and make sure they are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. You may also want to use environmentally-friendly paints, and the contractor may be willing to source these on your behalf.
5. Can I See Client References?
You can look up what previous clients thought of a company’s painting services on websites such as Google My Business. But, not all clients are fair when they comment on the standard of work. Some customers find fault no matter how professional a painter is and will be negative without good cause.
You can get a clearer picture by asking for client references that a painter collects after completing a job. These should confirm the client found the contractor timely and professional and would be willing to work with them again in the future.
6. Who Will Manage the Work?
Whether you need a large service such as factory painting, or smaller work such as office painting, you still need to ensure someone is maintaining standards. You should have easy access to a site manager who is responsive and available to answer queries.
A good manager will also quickly alert you to any potential delays and ensure you know when separate parts of the work are complete. This can give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on other tasks while they finish the painting work.
7. Do You Offer a Guarantee?
Before a contractor starts your commercial painting job, you should ask for a written guarantee that covers their work. Be sure to ask if there are any exclusions and what the contractor will do in the event of an issue arising.
If a painting company is unwilling to provide a guarantee or has an unreasonable list of items they do not cover, then you may want to work with a different contractor.
8. Are You a Member of a Trade Association?
Membership of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a local chamber of commerce, or relevant trade associations can display a contractor has a strong commitment to their craft. You can also contact these organizations for painter recommendations to make your search faster and to help you avoid hiring a contractor who has a poor reputation.
While it is not essential for a painting company to be a part of an outside trade body, you may have more confidence in their work if they do have a membership.
9. What Is Your Best Estimate?
You might not want to choose the cheapest quote if you want a good standard of work. But, you also shouldn’t overpay a company that is charging too much for their services. Ask for an itemized estimate, and go through the list with a potential painting partner. A trustworthy painter will explain why each task costs what they are charging and account for all materials required.
During this process, you may decide you don’t need certain services which you could remove to reduce your final bill.
Be Selective When Choosing a Commerical Painter
Choosing a commercial painter doesn’t have to be difficult, but it’s vital to take time to ask plenty of questions. If you discover problems when the job is already in progress, you may have to pay for the work to date and also find a new contractor.
A reputable company will always answer your queries and ensure you are happy for them to begin work, so don’t feel pressured to sign a contract.
If this article has helped you choose a painting contractor for your company, be sure to read more useful posts in our Business section before you go.