How to Find & Hire a Painting Contractor

A painting contractor rolling white paint onto a primed wall.

Painting is a skill and a profession built on experience. Use this guide to ensure your next interior or exterior painting project delivers the high quality outcome you desire.

4 TIPS TO FINDING A PAINTING CONTRACTOR

1. Do Your Homework – Check out social media handles, seek out trusted referrals, and ask friends and family.
2. Plan a Painting Project Consult – Assess personality, professionalism, and get painting product options.
3. Get Three Quotes – Estimates are usually free.
4. Get a Written Contract – Manage expectations (especially your own) and avoid surprises.

1. Do Your Homework
A simple online search including your ZIP code will yield painting contractors’ ratings, customer testimonials and websites. If you don’t see images of painting projects, email the painter directly for examples.

Explore social media to find painters’ Instagram and Facebook accounts featuring before and after photos, project videos, and even recorded customer testimonials. Local community Facebook pages and parenting blogs are also great resources.

In addition to searching online, reach out to colleagues, friends and family. If you know someone—anyone—who has had painting work done, be sure to ask them for referrals. Call or visit your local Benjamin Moore retailer for recommendations. These independently owned businesses are integral parts of their communities and often well acquainted with many home improvement professionals working in your neighborhood.

2. Plan a Painting Project Consult, and Ask for Options
Whether meeting a professional painting contractor online or in-person, look for a professional and polite demeanor. This person will likely be spending time around your home, so make sure you have a good rapport.

When describing your project during the consult, ask to receive more than one option tied to different products (primer, paint, and stain, for example). Ask the candidate to explain the differences; not only will it help you make an informed decision, it will help you get a strong sense of the painter’s professional knowledge of his or her craft.

"Ask the right questions! Are they licensed and insured? Do they have references that can be provided for similar projects? How are the employees trained? How do they protect belongings and maintain a clean, safe workspace? These are all examples of questions that should be asked to ensure you are hiring the right painting contractor for your project. They should also have a demeanor that is easy to work with and focused on your needs for the project, not theirs."

This tip was given by a Miami painter professional at Precision Painting Plus

3. Get Three Quotes
It’s a common question: How much does it cost to paint a room?

Not surprisingly, pricing varies depending on whether the job includes one room, an entire floor, the full exterior of your home or deck. Plan three consults, and get quotes for all three. Painting estimates are typically free.

Be sure to specify all the details of your painting project up front. If conducting the consult virtually, be prepared to provide photos and measurements.

If you are unclear on an estimate’s pricing, simply ask. Painting contractors are professionals, and they are prepared to explain the pricing in detail with you.

The following may contribute to the cost of a painting job:

Purchasing the paint

Cleaning (think grease on walls in a kitchen, for example)

Sanding

Prep & repair (including taping and fixing small holes and cracks)

Priming

Caulking

Clean-up

Moving furniture—Pulling furniture out from walls and covering it in plastic to protect it

Money saving tip: Taking personal responsibility for pulling furniture out from against walls and covering it with sheets or plastic, as well as fixing small holes and cracks, can help you save money on your painting project.

Of course, investing in premium Benjamin Moore interior paint, exterior paint, or deck stain means your finished project will last longer, extending the time before having to repaint.

4. Get a Written Contract
After a side-by-side comparison of the estimates, and choosing the best one for you, request a written contract. A written contract is imperative and should include:

Details on surface preparation

What paint products will be applied

Timing/schedule

Payment terms

We don’t recommend paying in cash, but if you do, make sure you have an email chain verifying cash exchange. A lack of documentation may cause problems later.

Pro Tip:

Why Repair and Paint Your Walls?

If your walls are in poor condition, a high-quality paint job will be more expensive. Paying a professional to upgrade the surface of your walls or other substrates is worth it. Old or damaged walls will show imperfections, no matter what paint you use.

Pro Tip Spotlight:

Need a Painter? Ask Your Benjamin Moore Retailer
Count on your local, independently owned Benjamin Moore retailer to help!

FIND YOUR STORE

Purchasing the paint

Cleaning (think grease on walls in a kitchen, for example)

Sanding

Prep & repair (including taping and fixing small holes and cracks)

Priming

Caulking

Clean-up

Moving furniture—Pulling furniture out from walls and covering it in plastic to protect it

Details on surface preparation

What paint products will be applied

Timing/schedule

Payment terms

We don’t recommend paying in cash, but if you do, make sure you have an email chain verifying cash exchange. A lack of documentation may cause problems later.

Pro Tip:

Pro Tip Spotlight:

Need a Painter? Ask Your Benjamin Moore Retailer
Count on your local, independently owned Benjamin Moore retailer to help!

FIND YOUR STORE

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