Tips For Hiring a Commercial Painting Contractor
When it comes to your next commercial painting project, it’s a smart move to hire a contractor. They offer industry expertise that can help get your next painting project done on time and on budget, but it’s not always easy to know which choice is the right one — especially with so many options here in the St. Louis area.
Because not all commercial paint contractors are created equal, it’s important to consider some factors when hiring your next team of painting pros.
Think About Your Painting Needs (And Goals)
Depending on your building and industry, you may have specialized needs that only a commercial painting pro can understand. For example, healthcare facilities have specific guidelines to follow when it comes to keeping patients safe, and that extends to both the color and formulation of interior paint.
It’s also important to talk to painters about the overall vision for your space. If you want to send a message or tie your branding together with paint or wall coverings, that’s something painters can use to help your vision come to life. The right company can even help you with options other than paint to help get your space noticed even more.
Ask the Painter the Right Questions
Whether it’s your first time hiring a commercial painter or it’s something you do regularly, you should ask each potential new crew the same questions to determine if they’re the right fit.
- What services do you offer? Is custom work an option? If they don’t have a clear “menu” of services or balk at the idea of customizing your paint project, it may be a red flag that the process could hit snags down the line.
- Can you explain what equipment, techniques, and materials you use? What paint brand or manufacturer would you use for my project? Transparency is key here, and knowing this information helps with care and maintenance.
- Do your employees have the appropriate licenses, certifications, or credentials? How many people will be assigned to my project? Just like you would vet your other employees for safety, the same should be done with your contractors.
- How often and by what means will you communicate with me? How important and/or flexible are deadlines? This is key — communication is what keeps the project running smoothly and without costly surprises.
- Do you have insurance or a guarantee? Can you provide me with a few references? We can’t stress this enough. It’s easy for a painting pro to tell you about their past projects, but checking them out for yourself can give you the peace of mind you need to accurately assess their work.
Here are four red flags to watch for when you’re interviewing commercial painting companies:
- They’re not willing to provide a contract
- They can’t answer your questions
- They can’t clearly communicate about the work they can do
- They won’t provide licensing and certification information for employees
Compare painting contractors
A good rule of thumb is to get estimates from at least three commercial painting pros before making a decision. A high-quality contractor will take the time to give free estimates and consultations.
Once you have a few good options on the table, don’t just settle for the best price or the most impressive portfolio. Take the time to really compare contractors; sometimes paying more doesn’t mean you’re getting more.
Don’t forget to follow-up, either. Your painting team should also help your building get back to business as usual and keep it looking like new. Ask about clean-up services, and make sure there’s a warranty to ensure your new paint lasts.
Check the painting contract
Once you’ve picked a pro, make sure to ask for your expectations in writing. It’s smart to consult your attorney, but contract language should include at minimum the following terms and conditions:
- Expected timeline/schedule and milestones along the way
- Typical workday schedules for painters
- Prep and clean-up details
- Any warranties that apply to the project
- Payment and/or budget expectations
While there are a few corners you might be able to cut when it comes to running your business, choosing a commercial paint contractor shouldn’t be one of them.
Ready to see how a new commercial paint project can transform your building? Work with a contractor who can tick off all the boxes! We’ve painted everything from operating rooms to Union Station as well as just about everything in between. Our team will come in and get it done quickly and leave nothing behind but the paint on the walls.
