How to Hire a Painter

Video Transcript

"Hi this is Nigel Gregory with Blue Griffin Handyman. Today we're tell you how to pick a painter, or choose a painter, or hire one. Whichever one you like. But there's a lot of questions, a lot of different types of applications. You want to pick a painter that can provide an array of services, whether it's exterior painting or interior or finish painting or faux painting. But don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Do you use primer? What kind of brushes do you use? If the guy gets annoyed with your questions than he's not patient and you don't want to use him. Also, if you don't have a good reference for a type of painter that you want to use, ask for a sample. Say I want my house green and I want the molding brown, can you give me a sample? And if he can't provide one than don't use him. And if he provides a bad sample, the things you want to look for in a sample. For instance, this might be a good example of a wall and some molding, and when he paints there's different tools to use and different applications, different paints. You want to make sure that he has a good line. Let me demonstrate. Here's a brush. You'll get a different pattern using a brush as opposed to a roller. Notice how it has those lines. And notice how I didn't use a first coat. You want to use a white first coat. If it doesn't have a good solid, if you can still see the wood through the paint, then he hasn't done a good job. You want to make sure it's a good even coat. Maybe you want the texture or maybe you don't. It depends on what you're looking for. But there's also different types of textures that you can achieve like with a roller you can get a nice smooth texture. And notice how it may take one, two, or even three coats of paint to achieve a good nice even color, and what you're looking for. Also, you want to look for someone who does a nice even coat of paint. If you get your sample back and there's paint on the molding like that then don't use him. You want a nice clean edge, see if he's caulked it or not for exterior applications. And don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. And in choosing a good painter ask for references. You can find them in the phone book, you can find them on the internet. Go by a house that maybe he's painted in the past week or so. But that's pretty much how you choose a painter. Thank you."