Finding Fort Mitchell Painter

If you enjoy do-it-yourself projects around the home, you might have second thoughts when it comes to painting, especially if you have to use a ladder to get to those high places. Finding a professional painter to handle the job might be the better and safer option when dealing with ladders and high places. By hiring a qualified Fort Mitchell painter you can make sure the job is done right and leave tackling those high spots to someone else.

The reason you want to paint your home is to keep it in good repair and maintain appearances, but if the paint job is bad or the materials used are inferior, you won’t be happy with the end results. Anyone can paint but to do the job right takes a certain degree of talent so you don’t want to hire anyone that claims to be a painter until you check them out first. Whether you’re looking for someone to paint a single room or the entire exterior of your home you want to make certain you’re hiring a qualified painter for the job.

Where to Find a Reliable Fort Mitchell Painter

If you decide to have a professional Fort Mitchell painter do the job there are several places you can start your search. A good place to check is with the local home building store center or paint store. Many of these stores will have bulletin boards where painters and other contractors can post their business cards. Look on the web for sites that maintain a list of local Fort Mitchell painters. Since getting listed in these directories can sometimes involve time and money, they are often only used by qualified professionals.

Maybe you have a friend or family member that is familiar with a painter. Possibly they can show you the work that was done and let you know if they were pleased with the job or if they have any complaints. If you examine the work and like it, ask for contact information for the Fort Mitchell painter. Check your local phone directory in the yellow pages. The phone book is still the first place many people look when they need help with a project.

Talking with the Fort Mitchell Painter

Hiring Fort Mitchell painter based solely on his estimate is not usually a good idea. Take the time to interview each painter before asking for a quote. The time spent in talking will you in choosing the person for the job. Select a few painters to do an onsite inspection of your home. Take this time to discuss their experience within the trade. Find out if they have subcontracted with any homebuilders or other local contractors or companies. Working as a subcontractor within the industry is a good sign of a painter that provides quality work.

Ask for proof of up to date license and insurance from each Fort Mitchell painter. Every Fort Mitchell painter should have liability insurance to protect you in case of damage. They should also have workers compensation if they have employees. If someone gets hurt while on the job, you don’t want to be held responsible for some hefty medical bills. Any painter you consider hiring should be bonded. If he abandons your project for some reason you will be protected and can see that the job is finished.

Getting references from a Fort Mitchell painter is a good idea but don’t count on references alone when you make your choice. While references might be a good indicator of a reputable painter, the truth is if there are any unsatisfied customers out there, you probably won’t be given their contact information. The Better Business Bureau is a better choice when it comes to checking out any contractor. They can tell you if there are any complaints on file and if they were satisfactorily settled. Having one or two complaints doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem but how the painter took care of the complaint is what matters.

Once you have your short list of painters, you’re ready to ask for some bids. Bids can be confusing if you aren’t prepared. Every painter has his own methods of doing the job, from the brand of paint to how he handles the cleanup. Even exterior prep work can vary, with one painter preferring to do a quick pressure wash while another one may choose to scrape and sand. These differences can greatly impact the figures on the bids you receive. You should supply each Fort Mitchell painter with a list of what you would like included in their bid. This way when you look at the bids they should all be uniform in the scope and details of the project which will make them much easier to compare.

Securing a Contract with the Fort Mitchell Painter

It’s time to get a contract once you’ve found the Fort Mitchell painter you feel is right for your project. This should detail your project, the steps required to get it done, the paint that will be used and the cost of labor. Any contract should also contain all necessary contact information for the painter along with his state license number and copies of insurance policies. You’ll also want a date for completion of the job.

Find out if the painter includes a guarantee for his work if there is a problem with fading, chipping or peeling within a specific amount of time. If there is one make sure it’s also in writing that the painter will fix the problem at little or no cost to you. While the paint itself may come with an extensive warranty, it will not include the labor cost of having the job redone.

Remember that you want to hire a painter you can trust. The painter will probably be working alone most of the time and you won’t be able to watch him every step of the way. Once the final coat is on you wont be able to determine if the surface was properly prepared or primed or how many coats of paint were actually applied. Your choice of a qualified Fort Mitchell painter is just as essential as choosing any contractor to work on your home and you should take the time to hire the best.