How to Get Estimates for Paint Jobs

Whether you're looking to hire a professional painting crew to spruce up the exterior of your home, or the interior, you'll want to make sure that you hire the best person for the job.
Not every painting professional--or the job he does--is equal. Some will handle the project from start to finish including purchasing the paint and preparing the walls; while others may require you to do some of the prep work yourself. That's why it's important to know how to get bids from prospective painters, and how to understand the ones that are provided for your review.
Let's talk about some of the things you'll need to consider when soliciting bids for your next painting project.

Instructions

1. Solicit bids. Some of the best places to find professional painters to solicit bids from include: your friends and neighbors; paint stores; home renovation stores; the yellow pages; professional painting or construction organizations in your area; and even the classified section of the newspaper.

2. Interview qualified candidates. Before hiring a painter to handle your project, be sure to follow the advice of the Federal Trade Commission and ask how long they've been in business; if they are licensed and registered with the lcoal building authorities; how many similar projects they have completed in the past year; what types of insurance they carry; and if they have any references.

3. Let the painer know what you expect. Be clear about your expectations. No painting professional can be expected to give you a thorough bid unless they have some of this basic information: the size of the room being painted; the type of paint being used; the type of job preparation and clean-up he'll be expected to do; any special circumstances that will need to be considered; and your timeline for the project.

4. Ask for the estimate in writing. Get every bid in writing to be able to compare all estimates accurately. Be sure that all bids for painitng estimates include the contractor's name, address, phone and license number; a payment schedule; an estimated cost for completion; the contractor's respsonsibilities in regards to obtaining permits; a written statement of work and any architectural drawings needed.

5. Compare bids carefully. Make sure that you are comparing bids carefully to avoid paying too much. Project bids aren't always easy to decipher, so be certain that you are comparing "apples to apples." For instance, a bid that includes all prep work and clean-up will likely be higher than one that does not. What's important is that you know what you're getting for the price being paid.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't get scammed by an unscrupulous painter. Watch for rip-offs that include door-to-door solicitation; offers to use left over materials from other jobs; not accepting checks or money orders; offers to do your job as a "demonstration" to solicit business from your neighbors and friends and presure to make a spot decision or risk losing out on a great offer.