How to find a good painter and decorator
Finding a good painter and decorator can be challenging. How do you tell the good from the ones who could potentially rip you off? That is a tricky question as people have biased and differing opinions when it comes to hiring trades. Painting your house can be a costly expense, so you need to ensure you’ve picked the right people. We have compiled a list of our tips and tricks to guarantee you get the best value for your money.
How do I find reliable, professional painters in my area?
When looking to hire a painter for your project, one of the best places to start is through word of mouth. Asking friends and family in your local area to recommend you a qualified and trustworthy tradesperson can help narrow down your search. You can also post in local Facebook community groups to see who others in your area are using.
You can also do a quick Google search for painters in your area and look at the reviews from previous clients. Be mindful when reading reviews because it is easy to fake or pay for positive ratings in this day and age. Looking on a company’s website or social media pages can give you a better indication of their quality of work. If they don’t have an online presence, ask if you can see any photos from previous jobs they have completed.
Do painters charge for a quote?
The first step of your painting project will be getting a quote for the job. A good painter should offer a free, no hassles and no obligations quote. The quotation should outline the inclusions and exclusions of the job as well as any terms and conditions. Many tradespeople will also include the preparations they will undertake when starting a job, such as sanding, puttying and gapping.
It is recommended to get several quotes to compare pricing and ensure you are getting the best value. Anything priced too high can indicate that they are too busy to take on your job and may have inflated the price, or they might be ripping you off. Unusually low pricing can mean they have hidden costs involved, they don’t pay fair wages, or they might rush the job. Ideally, you need a happy medium where you are paying a fair price for good quality work. All quotes should be upfront and transparent about costs, with no sneaky hidden fees.
How long will it take to paint my house?
Providing a timeline is dependent upon the job itself. A good painter should be reasonable and honest when advising how long a job will take. It depends on the scope of the works and their previously scheduled commitments. Some painters may over-promise and under-deliver when it comes to timeframes. For example, telling the customer it will only take a day or two to repaint their entire house. That is a good indication that they may be rough and careless with your job.
What other questions should I ask when finding a painter?
A good indication as to the quality of someone’s work can be how they present themselves. A professional presentation and manner give a great impression that they take the job seriously and are neat and tidy. It can also give foresight into how they will leave the job site once finished. All areas should be swept up and any rubbish and mess removed from the site.
It is also worthwhile to ask questions about quotes and the job itself. You may want to know things such as:
Will they move the furniture?
Will my possessions be covered?
Will drop sheets be put down?
Will areas be masked?
These questions can help you avoid any nasty surprises.
Another question worth asking is whether the tradesperson is fully licensed and insured. A good painter and decorator should be fully qualified and have appropriate insurance and licenses (or be contracted under a licensed company). Ask to see a certificate of currency for public liability insurance which will protect you and the contractor in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong.
Now that you have all the right tools to find a great fit for your next job, good luck with your project! If you’d like NeoPainting to provide a free quote, click the ‘book a quote’ button on our website or send us an email at info@neopainting.com.au