Top 6 Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Interior Painter

October 4, 2021

Planning for Your Interior Painting

When you’re looking to have one or more rooms painted in your home , asking the interior painting contractor six key questions before and during the estimate will keep you informed and assured of the quality of the service. These direct questions will help you know what to expect from the service, how to prepare, and how it will go.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Interior Painter

Before the Estimate

When you have your budget and your basic project description together, you’re ready to find an interior painting service. Ask these three questions about their qualifications before setting up an estimate.

“Do You Have Employees or Use Subcontractors?”

Some companies hire workers on a short-term basis, and the regular turnover can result in inconsistency in the skill of the team. A team that works together regularly can produce top-quality results in a habitually efficient and collaborative way.

“Do You Have Certifications and Insurance?”

Asking your provider for proof of insurance for work is a standard request, one which a contractor will be happy to provide to you. Making sure they are certified and legitimate will give you peace of mind in their professionalism as a normal part of the contracted service.

“Do You Provide a Warranty on the Work?”

There is always a possibility that the temperatures or humidity might affect the paint’s drying process, and cracks or peeling might happen a year down the line, rather than several years. Some companies will touch up work within a certain period to support the ongoing relationship and keep you satisfied.

During the Estimate

Once you’ve set the appointment for a consultation and estimate, you can ask some questions about the project itself. These three questions will keep you informed on the quality of the potential work.

“What Brands of Paint Do You Use?”

Knowing which brands of paint the service uses helps you know a bit more about the long-term outcome of the work. Companies that use high-quality paint with recognizable names will more than likely produce better results than contractors who use low-quality products.

“How Will You Protect the Floors and Rest of the Property During Work?”

Before the contractors come, you’ll be sure to move your furniture out of the room and take anything off of the walls for the workers to have a clear space to work within. Since you will do your part to protect your belongings and work towards a smooth project, ask about the precautions their company takes before, during, and after the painting work to make sure the job is done with respect for your house.

“What Is the Projected Timeline?”

A fair amount of planning has to go into painting your interior spaces, so you’ll have to coordinate your own schedule with that of the painting contractor’s. A painting job itself might take one or multiple days depending on the spaces being worked on. Taking into account drying time, you might have to plan to be in other rooms or out of the house for several days.

Interior Painters in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts

Scheduling Your Estimate

Serving all of Rhode Island and southeastern MA, ELCO is happy to answer any and all questions you have about your interior painting project. Contact us today to set up a consultation!

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