subject: Hiring A Charlotte House Painter : How To Check References [print this page] Everyone knows to ask for references when they hire a contractor, such as a local Charlotte house painter. However, most people just look at the information the painting contractor provides and take it at face value. Given the fact that most contractors will only show you the most positive reviews, you can quickly see why this gives you little meaningful information.
A Better Approach To Finding A Reliable Charlotte House Painter
Instead, take time to contact several previous clients. Even ask specifically to get contact information of someone who was not totally happy with the work. You should also visit one of the contractor's current project sites with the contractor, as well as with your designer (if you have one).
References are not all the same. There are four types of references you should examine:
1.Clients within the past 12 months, or a current job in progress.
2.Clients within the past three years.
3.Clients beyond three years.
Also check with Mecklenburg county to find if a contractor has been named in any law suits.
By contacting all these references you'll learn not only about the quality of the contractor's current work, but how well his work and warranty holds up. Additionally, you'll get a feel for the contractor's long-term standing with his clients.
Some good questions to ask when getting referrals:
Were you happy with the quality of the workmanship provided by this house painter?
Everybody has their own ideas of quality, so you should take a look at their house and judge for yourself. Pay attention to cut-in areas around doors, windows and trim. Are the lines straight and was caulking applied. Interior or exterior doesnt matter; proper surface preparation always leads to better, more pleasing results.
Did the painting contractor protect non painted surfaces or areas?
For exteriors this includes concrete, roofing and plantings. For interiors moving and protecting furniture is a major concern but dont forget about the flooring. If a painter was sloppy with one customer chances are they will be sloppy with all of them. If you are left to clean up after your painter this will cost you more time and money and frustration.
Were they courteous and polite?
This is a very important consideration. The entire experience, from beginning to end, needs to be as stress free as possible. Plus if the house painter enjoys their job, the quality and attention to details will be better. The customers attitude can and will affect the entire paint job. Hopefully this will be the first question you ask. If the answer to this question is no then do not go any farther, you dont want to work with that person.
Was a warranty included, and have you exercised it?
If a warranty was included find out if it has a reasonable amount of time before expiring, 3 years is enough, and if it has any value. Simply stating a warranty isn't enough. Get it in writing and understand its limitations! A good painter is happy to stand behind his warranty. Good painters use quality materials and know their level of expertise. If a painter will not offer a warranty this is a problem in my mind.
Here are nine more useful questions you can ask to help you identify the right local Charlotte painting contractor -
How well did the contractor stay on budget according to the original estimate?
Did the contractor use a change order form for any changes?
How timely was the contractor during the course of the job?
Were you happy with his/her attitude when problems would arise?
How were the subcontractors and workers that were on the job?
Did they keep the job site clean and safe?
Was the contractor himself on the job to supervise?
