How To Choose a House Painter Based on the Cost, not the Price
In house painting projects, there is often an understandable but misguided belief that a low-priced paint job is more desirable. Nobody wishes to pay more than is absolutely necessary. However, one should weigh carefully the benefits of a quality paint job versus low price.
As you can imagine, low price is not always synonymous with value, especially in the Bay area. Various factors make this so, of course. The lowest price carries with it a higher probability of inferior craftsmanship and professionalism. Chances are that the paint job will not last as long, and if the contractor does not offer a warranty you'll be stuck with repeating the process sooner than expected. It will become apparent rather quickly that you've lost value for the work done and you'll lose money in having to pay another painting contractor to come in and fix the job. Chose quality and professionalism the first time around and you will ultimately save money and headaches.
Now, how to look for quality? There are several ways that this can be done. We at MB Jessee suggest homeowners be thorough in the research phase (that is, the search for a painting contractor). Once a few possible painting companies have been found, don't be afraid to call and ask questions of the estimators or the president of the company. Is the company properly licensed for a range of techniques? Do they carry the requisite insurance? Is there a warranty, and if so, will the details be satisfying to you? Compare the warranty to other businesses, which will allow you to rest easy knowing whichever company you ultimately choose will stand behind their work. A good warranty not only indicates a painting company is proud of their work but that they are confident in the service they are providing.
We also recommend that you inquire about the staff of the painting company. Does the business employee painters full-time? If so, do the painters look and act professional? A workforce of part-time employees, or a constantly shifting cast of painters is to be avoided. You are looking for a company who employs dedicated and thoughtful painters. Inquire about the painting company's preparation. Do they properly cover and protect surfaces that are not to be painted? Do they handle the materials and equipment in a safe and attentive way? We also think that you should ensure that the company and its painters are communicative; that is, they listen to your concerns and communicate their progress effectively to you.
Lastly, look into the type of products the painting company uses. Are the paint products top quality and long-lasting? And, if being eco-conscious is important to you, definitely make sure that the company uses green-friendly paints. Other companies take it a step further and use vehicles with a more environmentally sound emissions system.
Only a professional painting company will meet most if not all of these criteria. You will be purchasing value through quality and saving yourself the hassle that comes with low-priced jobs.
