One of the quickest and most cost effective ways to upgrade the value and appearance of a home or room is by painting it. Whatever the scope of the project, hiring a professional contractor will save a lot of time and effort in the long run.
Then comes the big decision : which painting contractor ?
Before you even call the first painter listed in GumTree , be sure you have the relevant information at hand.
- List down exactly what you want done.
- What is your desired time frame to have the job done?
- What are the current challenges to getting the job done .
- If you have floor plans , even better.
Once you have the relevant information you can start to get a quote from reputable painters.
There are all sorts of painters in town so it also boils down to what is your ultimate goal for your house i.e. do you want it done at a high quality and fair price or cheapest price regardless? Unless it is a really small job or you can provide exact size of areas to be painted , it may not be to your best interest to have a quote online or over the phone. Try to meet the painter personally to have an idea if you can or should work with him.
Meeting the Painting Contractor:
- Communication:
Can you even understand each other? Did you say cream and he thought green ? Be sure the contractor you choose is a good communicator. No good going “I thought …..” . Be precise and make sure both of you are on the same page.
The Contractor should be able to state his experience, knowledge and provide some references.
- Character:
Was he on time and of pleasant character ? You will be allowing him to for home for a few days , so be sure he is somebody you feel comfortable with. A good principle to stick by is : how he does anything is how he will do everything.
- Licensing and Insurance:
Be sure he is a licensed painter and have the necessary insurance. In Queensland, the Building Services Authority (BSA) is a government body set up to license contractors and protect consumers against defective work. The BSA has the power to direct a contractor to rectify defects and can prosecute, fine and/or remove a contractors license banning the contractor from the building industry for a set period or for life
- Formal quotes:
The contractor should be able to give you an estimate based on your requirements . It is good then to ask for a formal quotation , station precisely what is included, quality and brand of materials used etc .
- Guarantee
Does the contractor provide any warranty on the job done, free touch ups etc?
All these should also be covered in the contract.
