5 questions to ask your perspective painting contractor

Finding the right contractor for your job will determine the quality and timeliness of the work, and the amount of emotional and financial stress you’ll have to deal with.  In order to pick the best Louisiana commercial painter, there are some key questions you should pose to potential contractors.  To ensure you’re getting a good match, we would suggest meeting with at least three. This is your business, after all; you want someone who’s dependable and determined to see the project through to the end.

As a tip listen for how prospective contractors answer your questions. Difficulty communicating now means difficulty communicating on the job later. You’ll probably be seeing quite a lot of your contractor, depending on the size of the project and the amount of subcontracting involved, so it’s important to find someone you can get along with who’ll do the job right.

To make sure you’re getting the best work from a Louisiana commercial painter, here are five questions to ask the candidates.

1. Are you insured?

All painters should have General Liability insurance, and their coverage shouldn’t be less than $1 million. This insurance serves to protect the homeowner from any damage caused by the painter (or the painter’s employees). If your contractor is doing more than a paint job, they need to have a separate policy in place to cover damages from that line of work as well. Accidents happen, so make sure you’re protected.

2. Can I have a copy of your insurance information?

Most painters should happily provide the necessary documentation if asked for it. If they are hesitant, take that as a sign and hire someone else, because that means they are lying to you about your coverage. You need to know exactly what their insurance covers, in case of any mishaps.

3. Do you have independent contractors or employees?

This is important to know because if a painter has employees, then they are covered under the general liability insurance policy of the painter. If they are individual contractors, the insurance coverage is their responsibility, and it’s very common for them not to have proper insurance. A painters liability coverage will not cover independent contractors. So make sure! Don’t be afraid to ask the independent contractors for proof of insurance either!

4. Will you protect my property?

A good painting company will have everything covered, move vehicles, even protect any important plants. This will minimize the chances for damages to occur. Don’t be afraid to point things out to your painter. It’s their job to protect your belongings while they work.

5. Do you have the necessary protection for working on older homes?

Any painter that doesn’t take the safety of their employees seriously is not someone you want to hire. All painters should have proper equipment in place. Older homes can have lead paint, which poses a huge health risk if you aren’t protected.

Hiring a painter doesn’t have to be difficult. As long as you ask the right questions and hire a reputable company, you’ll be pleased with the results. Looking for a painting contractor? Why not start with us? Give us a call!