What To Ask Your Commercial Painting Company

A well planned, successful commercial paint job can directly impact the performance of employees and direct influence on your customers. (For more information on how, take a look at our post “The impact of commercial interior painting”). Because of this ability to increase business performance, finding the right commercial painting company for the job is even more important. The quality of their work, their communication, and their efficiency will make them more valuable. Part of your hiring process should be asking a LOT of questions. As a commercial paint contractor, JMA Painters ensures you that there is no such thing as a silly question.

The more questions you ask will help to reveal exactly what is expected from both parties and create a clear understanding of what to expect and what you are looking to accomplish. If you are unsure of what questions to ask, or where to start, take a look at the below list of good questions to ask your commercial painting company before you hire them. 

Are Quotes Free? Understanding Our Payment Structure

While most contractors will provide a free, no obligation estimate, it is still important to ask.  It is important to know up front if you will be expensed for your time discussing the project before you actually start discussing the project. While JMA Painters does not charge for estimates, we would not fully rule out someone who did.

As mentioned in our post “Common Mistakes When Hiring A Contractor”, going the cheapest route is not always your best bet. Make sure you fully understand the cost breakdown of the job (request an itemized quote), when and how payment will be expected, and be sure to get all of this information in a written contract if you decide to move forward.

Why Insured Commercial Painters Are the Best Choice

Your next question should be in regards to insurance. Any reputable commercial painting company will be happy to show you a copy of their insurance policy. You should make sure they have general business liability and a workman’s compensation policy. This will cover your business in the event of an accident or injury to a worker, your building, an employee and more. We do not recommend risking hiring a commercial painting company that does not have insurance.

Understanding Your Contractor’s Current Workload and Timelines

When you’re planning a painting project, it’s crucial to understand your contractor’s current workload and how it might impact your project’s timeline. Here’s how to approach this twofold question:

1. Assess Current Workload: Start by asking the contractor about their existing commitments. Do they have the capacity to take on your project within your desired timeframe? Contractors often have multiple projects in progress, so it’s essential to know if they can fit your job into their schedule.
2. Estimate Job Duration: Once you’ve provided a detailed scope of your project, request an estimated completion time. A reliable contractor should be able to give you a realistic timeframe based on the information you provide. This estimate will help you plan and set expectations accordingly.

Be sure to communicate any specific deadlines or time constraints you have. If you need the job done within a particular period, make it clear from the start. This transparency will help the contractor determine if they can meet your needs or suggest adjustments to the timeline if necessary.

Impact On Production

Depending on your industry, a commercial paint job can interfere with the day to day operations of your business. Particularly in the industrial sector, you will need to create a game plan with your contractor to minimize downtime. Industrial paint contractors will be familiar with this process. 

Types of Paint

Not all paints are created equal! A great question is to ask about the type of paints, type of paint application, lifespan of the paint and paint warranties (and what that warranty includes). Different types of paint will last longer than others, and certain paints cost more than others.

Feel free to also ask why they use the paint they use – some painters simply have relationships with distributors, others get discounts on certain types of paint and more. Make sure their best interest aligns with yours. If you are willing to pay more for a higher quality paint that will last longer, communicate that to your contractor in advance. 

Prep Work/Clean Up

Ask what will be done to prep the work area and confirm the contractor’s plan for clean up. This will give you a good idea of the thoroughness of the contractor and lay out expectations. Some things to look for in prep work include but are not limited to: pressure washing, caulking, priming, filling, sanding and more. 

As we stated earlier, there is no such thing as a silly question. We encourage you to start with this list and expand upon it as you think of other things. If you are a business owner looking for a commercial painting company to bid out your project, JMA Painters would love to provide you with a free estimate. Contact Us today!