Painting companies are a dime a dozen. However, just because there is a flood of companies offering professional painters does not mean that there is an abundance of quality or reliability. Service companies are notorious for not showing up on time, if at all. Many people have heard of a neighbor pre-paying a sizeable deposit or down payment for service work to be performed and then having the contractor never to show to do the work. Finding the right person for the job involves more than relying on the phone book. Word-of-mouth referrals and consumer testimonials are a sure-fire way to sift out the masses and find the top quality painting contractors.
While it is considered "old school" business practices, there are a few exceptional painting contractors that will conduct business on their word alone. Understandably, the majority may require some additional written work authorization form or contract. Selecting a painting service, whether it is for interior painting or exterior painting, can take a little time.
The first step is to get estimates from local painters and have each explain exactly what the process this estimate entails. If the estimate quoted seems too good to be true without a plausible explanation, it may be. By asking each painting contractor what steps will be performed, the homeowner will get a better idea of the process and be able to compare painters across the board.
A good price is not the only basis for choosing a painting company, however. See what payment schedules are available. The majority of every service company will require a percentage of the estimate quoted be paid before any work gets underway. Rarely is there an exception, but they are out there.
A few service companies will not require any payment until the job is completed and to the homeowner's satisfaction. Old school practices such as this strongly emphasize that quality and attention to detail will be at the core of services being offered. Even though the price quote may not have been the absolute lowest, quality and a good work ethic justifies paying a few extra dollars in order to avoid being burned.
Often painting companies will offer other services for which the homeowner may wish to take advantage. Staining and refinishing, pressure-washing, and even wallpaper applications can supplement the paint contractor's repertoire. A homeowner may not realize that there are other options for the interior than just paint.
Which ever job has been completed and after it has passed muster, make sure to ask for several business cards to hand out. With it being so difficult to discover exceptional service professionals and results, once a homeowner does find a quality service company, be sure to keep the phone number handy and talk them up to friends and neighbors. Repeat business is the only way to increase the chances of getting good results and many times a future discount on services.
Many websites provide additional information on the topic of painting the exterior or interior of homes and staining decks and woodwork. One such site worth visiting is http://www.c-hpainting.com.
Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of C-H Painting.
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