How to Hire a Professional Painter (Part 3)
You’ve Hired a Painter - Now What?
You made your choice and now you’re ready to get down to business. Here’s what to expect. A professional painting contractor will go the extra mile to ensure that you:
Understand the process
Have a signed contract outlining the terms of service, pricing, and timeline
Have your space is prepped correctly and protected from any potential damage or spills.
Your project should include a detailed contract signed and agreed upon by both parties. You’ll likely be required to make an upfront deposit to schedule and secure your painter’s time, with the remainder billed upon completion of the work. Depending upon your municipality (like New York City), painters may be required to include additional documentation such as a cancellation clause, should you need to cancel the project within a reasonable period after signing the service agreement.
Before starting any work, be sure to clarify with your painting team anyd expectations and questions related to things like payment terms, project timeline, service guarantees, and materials. For example:
Are you providing the paint, or is that included in the price of the project?
What happens if additional repairs are required while the work is being completed?
A reliable painting company will answer your questions thoroughly and provide the requested details in writing and / or as part of the contract.
Preparing Your Home & Space
Successful painting projects require careful preparation to ensure your personal property is protected from any potential damage. Most companies will confirm 24 to 48 hours in advance of the project start date and inform you of any necessary preparations. Be prepared to:
Clear the space of any furniture or large items
Ensure proper ventilation
Create a pathway through the home for the team to transport / setup materials
Lightly clean any visibly dirty areas (i.e. grease in kitchens)
Remove small items from wall surfaces (i.e. picture frames, art, small shelves)
You don’t need to provide or apply floor coverings or protective materials. It’s the painter’s responsibility to prep and protect the space, including covering up floors and carpets with plastic or paper, taping off edges / outlets / windows / doorways, removing shelving or fixtures from walls.
A painter will also complete necessary repairs in order to prep the space and surfaces for best results. This includes wiping down surfaces to ensure cohesion, patching and filling nail holes, smoothing out bumps, and removing existing paint or stain in certain cases, such as peeling or chipped paint.
Most times, these repairs are small and included as part of the project - but larger repairs may be needed, and it is the responsibility of the painter to inform the client of any additional work or costs involved prior to proceeding.
This includes detection or suspicion of lead-based paint and potential abatement, where required.
Note: lead abatement is a specific process and typically performed by an outside specialist. Always inform your painting team if you know of or suspect the presence of lead-based paint in your home. For more information consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations for lead-based paint removal, repair, and potential hazards.
After Your Painting Project is Completed
Once the job is complete, conduct a thorough assessment of painted surfaces:
Check overall paint quality
Look for any missed spots or needed touch-ups
Evaluate cleanup effectiveness
Confirm project was completed on time and to your satisfaction
If you find an issue, don’t hesitate to bring it to your contractor’s attention. Many times, the painting company will take care of issues that are part of the service agreement and ensure that the job is completed to the client’s satisfaction.
The Power of Positive Feedback
Most painting companies operate as small local businesses, so positive reviews and feedback go a long way in attracting new clients, generating sales, and building reputation. If your painting professional does an exceptional job, take a moment to leave a positive review.
A great painting pro is worth their weight in gold. Build a relationship with a reliable contractor – you'll thank yourself the next time a painting project comes around!
What Next?
Undertone Interiors provides a comprehensive, white-glove painting service, wherein we take care of all of the detailed logistics while providing a personalized experience rooted in quality, transparency, and communication. Contact our team with any questions and to discuss your next painting project!