Mistakes home owners make, when looking for a painting contractor.
There are many mistakes homeowners can make when choosing a painting contractor. The following will outline five of the most frequent mistakes, that will cause the most damage to the home and the wallet. By knowing a few of the most common, the majority of these problems can hopefully be avoided.
The biggest mistake homeowners make is not checking if a contractor and those working under him are insured. The simplest way to do so is to ask. If the answer is yes, then ask them to provide the proper documentation and photocopy these for personal records. If a worker happens to get injured on the job, which does happen, being uninsured could result in the homeowners’ insurance becoming liable for the costs related to that injury instead of workers’ compensation.
When people are shopping in the mall, they tend to head to the sale rack first. This is not a good idea when getting ready to paint a home. Settling on the lowest price will most likely result in a low quality paint job. This may end up costing more money down the road along with more damage to the home and property.
Preparation is a must before hiring a contractor which means people must do their own research. Many people do not have enough information, which leaves them open to be taken advantage of. Know beforehand what paints are available, how much they cost, the square footage of your house, how much paint is going to be needed for two coats, and how long on average it takes to paint a house that size. The easiest way to get this kind of information is by making a trip to a paint store and asking those questions. Before first painting contractor shows up on your doorsteps, to give you an estimate, a home owner should have all the answers to all the questions they are planning on asking a painting contractor. You are not calling a painting contractor to get the answers for your questions. You are calling a painting contractor to match his answers to what you already know, after you have done you research. If you take this approach you will be a much happier home owner after the painting job is completed.
Another mistake people make is not insisting upon a written contract and not getting this signed before starting any work on their home. A written contract should include details of all aspects of the job. Personal information from both the homeowner and contractor is usually included along with a detailed description of the work being done. Materials and colors should also be noted as well as a payment or payout schedule.
Paying a large sum up front or paying cash is also unreasonable. If a contractor asks for cash payment then it is probably a good idea to move on to someone else. Most, however, will ask for a small fee up front, to be paid by check, which is normal.
Networking with friends and neighbors about which contractors they have used or are using is also a great idea. Many do not take the time to research different companies and talk with friends who have worked with specific ones. Finding one that an acquaintance or friend is already familiar with would be a first step.
In short, choosing the right painting contractor is an integral part of keeping and maintaining a home to the highest degree. Being vigilant, careful and checking all the details and fine print are an absolute must, if one does not want to incur more costs further down the road.