How to Hire a Professional House Painter
Make the Right Choice for Your Home Design Project
Not every painting project requires professional help. But you’ll want to especially consider hiring a pro when you’re dealing with large or complex home projects, such as:
Large or Multi-Room Projects
High Ceilings or Hard-to-Reach Areas
Painting Exterior Surfaces that Require Weatherproofing
Jobs that Require Significant Repair or Surface Preparation
Projects Involving Specialized Finishes or Paint Techniques
Critical Use Space - i.e. a business or rental property
Someone Else’s Home (pros carry their own liability insurance)
What Does it Cost to Hire a Pro Painter?
Painting costs vary widely depending upon a number of factors, including:
Project size
Complexity of the work
Quality of materials
Local market rates
Preparation work required
Expect to invest anywhere from $500 for a small room to $5,000 or more for whole-house interior painting - potentially more if you live in a large apartment, house, or high-demand area. While this might seem expensive, professional work can actually save money by preventing costly mistakes and ensuring a superior finish.
The cost of professional painting projects are typically estimated several ways - hourly, flat rate, or by square footage of the home and areas to be painted. A professional painting contractor will provide an in-person estimate detailing out the costs of everything from materials to labor and add-ons. If necessary, a change order will be created if it is determined that additional work outside the scope of the original agreed-upon proposal is needed, which requires sign-off by both the painting contractor and client.
What to Look for in a Painting Pro
You’ve made the decision to call in the experts, and now you need to find the right painting professional for your home. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide full of practical advice and valuable insights to support homeowners who are considering professional painting services.
When searching for the right painter, prioritize these key attributes:
Specialization in residential painting
Deep understanding of local market conditions and challenges
Transparent communication
Proper insurance and licensing
Positive, verified reviews from previous clients
A portfolio of completed work
Professional demeanor and reliability
Platforms like Google, Angie’s List, Home Advisor, Yelp, and Next Door are great resources for researching painting companies and getting first-hand information, reviews, and recommendations from neighbors.
Professionals in adjacent fields such as real estate, interior design, home construction, and staging may also be valuable sources of referrals when it comes to vetting potential painting contractors. Professionals in adjacent fields such as real estate, interior design, home construction, and staging may also be valuable sources of referrals when it comes to vetting potential painting contractors.
Selecting the Right Painting Company
Let’s start with the language. Painting Contractors, Painting Companies, and Professional Painters are interchangeable. “Contractor” simply refers to the fact that the individual or company is hired as an independent service provider by the client (you). Still, finding the perfect painting company for your project requires a strategic approach.
Start with these 4 steps to ensure you have all the right information to make an informed decision, and so you hire someone you know you can trust to get the job done - on-time, within budget, and at best quality.
Create a shortlist of 5-10 painting companies that specifically service your local market
- Use Google searches - Ask for peer / professional recommendations
- Check online review platforms (Yelp, Angie’s List, Home Advisor, Next Door)
Select your top 2-3 and request an on-site project estimate
- Research each company thoroughly
- Request and compare quotes
- Look for detailed, transparent pricing
Get an in-person estimate for the job
- Allow them to assess the space in person
- Discuss specific project requirements
- Expect to pay a reasonable fee for an estimate (it’s their time after all) - and ask for this to be disclosed upfront and whether it’s included as a line item in the final contract
Request a comprehensive proposal detailing:
- Scope of work to be completed
- Anticipated repairs to surfaces
- Project timeline (start date / duration / estimated completion)
- Exact pricing (including materials, labor, repairs)
- Service guarantees
- Material specifications
- Direct contact for service inquiries or concerns
- Licensing information (if required by your city / state)
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
Ensure 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 any 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 Project is Completed
Once the job is complete, conduct a thorough assessment of painted surfaces and repairs. Specifically:
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!
Ready to Get Started?
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, or fill out the form below.