5 Things You Should Know Before Hiring a Painter
So you want to hire a house painter.
Easy enough, right?
Just jump on Google, give it a quick search, and you’re good to go.
If only it were that simple.
Before getting on the phone and asking for a quote from the first house painter that picks up, you need to consider more than who has the lowest prices and the fastest workers.
Because painting your home is an investment, getting the job done right will be the difference between living in a dry and cosy dream home or a mould & termite-infested shack in 5 years.
So before you break out the credit card and start moving your furniture around…
Consider these things before you hire your go-to painter.
- Verify your painter’s QBCC license
- Confirm they have insurance
- Get an on-site consultation
- Ask questions about their process
- Check references and previous work
1. Verify Their QBCC License
By law, all contractors must be licensed by the Queensland Building & Construction Commission (QBCC) to work in QLD.
The QBCC licence ensures that your painter has undergone the proper accreditation and verifies that their business meets certain qualities of workmanship.
The QBCC also acts as a mediating body between contractors and their clients. Issues regarding payment, work quality, and other disputes can all be brought to the QBCC.
You can look up your contractor here: https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/
2. Confirm They Have Insurance
By law, all contractors must be licensed by the Queensland Building & Construction Commission (QBCC) to work in QLD.
The QBCC licence ensures that your painter has undergone the proper accreditation and verifies that their business meets certain qualities of workmanship.
The QBCC also acts as a mediating body between contractors and their clients. Issues regarding payment, work quality, and other disputes can all be brought to the QBCC.
You can look up your contractor here: https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/
3. Confirm They Have Insurance
As a safeguard for you and your painter, ensure that your contractor has professional indemnity insurance before beginning any work.
This type of insurance is specifically for cases of negligence or property damage that may occur during the painting of your home.
But this shouldn’t be a touchy subject. Professional indemnity insurance is in the best interest of both you and your painter. So it’s best to move on to the next number on your call list if they don’t have it.
4. Get An On-Site Consultation
On-site consultations are the only way to get an accurate quote due to all the variables that go into planning a successful project. Luckily most painters offer free consultations so no need to worry.
During the consultation, take note of a few details.
- Did they arrive at your home on time?
- Are they professional and confident in their ability to work on your home?
- Do they have a plan to approach your project based on their previous experience?
These small details can help you determine what it would be like to work with them.
When they arrive, take them on a tour of your home and point out any concerns or special circumstances you need the painter to consider.
That can include painting the exterior of a multi-story home, reaching high ceilings inside, or addressing pre-existing damage before painting begins.
Once you establish the scope of the project, go into the details and ask them about their process.
5. Preparation and Cleanup
Asking questions about your painter’s process is a great way to dig deeper and learn how they plan to approach your project.
Ask about the quality of paint they intend to use and ensure it will fall within your budget.
But in addition to the quality of paint, A general rule of thumb for all painting projects is that 80% of the work that goes into a good job is in the preparation.
So when asking them about their process, listen for these important steps to ensure a great outcome.
Steps To Prepare For Interior Home Painting
- Removing light switch and outlet covers – Ensure your painter will remove all the outlet and light switch covers or tape them over for protection.
- Taping around doors, windows, and trim – But many professional painters can paint sharp lines without it, so make sure they’re confident and can keep everything looking crisp.
- Removing shelving – Don’t skip over this stage. It’s a pain to take down shelving but crucial if you want the best results.
- Carefully cover all of your light fixtures – Like your outlets and switch plates, light fixtures either need to be removed or taped over to protect them while painting the ceiling.
- Sand, Patch, Prime – If your walls have damage or are covered in multiple coats of paint already, sanding and priming may be necessary to get even coverage.
Steps To Prepare For Exterior Home Painting
- Washing the house – One of if not the most important steps to keep coverage even and ensure maximum durability and coverage quality for your paint.
- Repairs – Repair any problem spots in wood or masonry before moving forward.
- Caulking – Reseal window and door trim before putting down the first coat.
And make sure your painter has a plan to clean up once the project is completed. They should leave your home in better shape than when they arrived.
Communication And Timeline
Be upfront with your expectations from the beginning. If you have a deadline to meet, make sure your painter knows. This is especially important if you’re painting a new home and need to move in or intend to sell your house soon and want it to look its best for prospective buyers.
You should always have well-established communication between you and your painter. If any setbacks or delays occur during the project, your painter should be upfront and communicate the details to you.
Also, make sure your painter is easy to get a hold of and is responsive to your communications.
Ready To Paint? Hire A Professional Today
Proudly serving the Brisbane area, DAR Painting understands what it takes to deliver the highest quality paint job.
We’re experts in our craft and can handle any project. Whether it’s just a few bedrooms or an entire home exterior, we always get the job done quickly and with the greatest care.
So if you’re finally ready to stop dreaming about that perfect finish for your home, contact us today so we can get an accurate appraisal in your hands today!
