Pst! Psssttt! Are you a business owner or manager who wants to get the best quality commercial paint job available but are not sure what to look for? Today, we are letting you in some industry secrets that will give you an edge when hiring a commercial paint contractor.
How Should I Get Started with a Commercial Paint Job?
Are you wondering how you can get started on your mission to hire a fantastic painting company? Before hiring for a commercial paint job, you should complete the following three tasks.
Do Some Research
The key to knowing if you are getting the best bang for your buck in any industry is to have a foundation of knowledge around the subject. If you know absolutely nothing about commercial painting, you will likely get confused when speaking with contractors about paint types, pricing, and additional options you can take. We recommend reading up on the basics before reaching out to anyone and learning the lingo of the industry so you can communicate with contractors efficiently.
Write a List of Your Needs
The last thing a contractor wants to hear is “I don’t know.” Once you have a foundation of knowledge for commercial painting, we recommend writing up a list of all the things you need and want for your painting project. This should include where you plan to paint, preferred paint types and styles, special requests, your timeline, etc. The more information you can provide at the start will allow the painting company to deliver better estimates in return.
Estimate Your Budget
Speaking of estimates, you will need to know how much to budget for your project. We recommend taking a look at your books to see what you can afford and getting a baseline for costs online. If you fall extremely short on budgeting, we recommend taking the time to save up for your painting project and hiring a high-quality painter rather than taking the cheapest option and ending up with a terrible job.
Secret Tip: Keep in mind that when choosing a commercial painting contractor, you will want to go for the middle ground. You get what you pay for, and cutting corners often leads to poor quality. You should never take high-ball or low-ball offers.
Hiring for a Commercial Paint Job
Now that you have all your ducks in a row for your upcoming painting project, you can begin reaching out to commercial painters. To score a high-quality commercial painting company, we recommend utilizing the following tips:
Get a Referral
There is a reason why word-of-mouth referrals still stand as the best resource for businesses everywhere! When searching for a commercial painter, we recommend asking other similar businesses in your area for a referral. That way, you will know the contractor provides high-quality work before you even meet them.
Compare & Contrast Commercial Paint Providers
Sometimes, referrals aren’t always available. On the other hand, you may get lucky and receive more than one. Whether you are offered a bunch of referrals or end up researching online for ideas, we recommend taking the time to compare and contrast your potential painters. You want to ensure that they meet all of your requirements and are within your budget.
Secret Tip: The recommended number of commercial paint contractors to compare is at least three. If their estimates range widely, we recommend going up to five to get a better assessment.
Investigate Credentials
Even if they come recommended and are right in your price range, you should always check credentials before hiring for a commercial paint job. Which credentials, you ask? Reputable painting companies will be licensed, bonded, and insured as a bare minimum.
The best painting companies will have those three as well as a warranty on their work. A warranty simply guarantees that the company will do its best to provide you with a top-notch service; if they don’t, they will recognize their mistakes and take action to fix them. Therefore, before hiring, always scour their contract for a “satisfaction guarantee.”
Secret Tip: Make sure to look at the fine print of that satisfaction guarantee. You want to ensure that it has actionable clauses and isn’t just pretty fluff to suck you in.
Judge Their Character
We know that mamas around the world tell you not to judge a book by its cover, but in this case, you may have to. After ensuring they have the referrals, budget, and credentials you need, you will have to perform a quick assessment of their character. You want your painting company to be built on integrity, quality, and communication. For more on that, check out our latest blog!
Clear Communication
We want to take a moment to note how vital communication is in this industry! A painting company that communicates poorly, provides unclear answers, or isn’t transparent with their processes is an instant red flag. If they can’t communicate clearly with you right off the bat, they certainly won’t once they are hired.
Secret Tip: Communicate with your contractor before hiring in every method you plan to use during the project, such as face-to-face, over the phone, texting, emailing, through a helpline, carrier pigeon, whatever! If they fall short, they are likely not the one for you!
Commercial Painting with Paintmasters
Paintmaster has built a reputation for providing businesses in the Tri-Cities with excellent painting services since its beginning in 1990. We are a family-owned and operated company known for its integrity, dedication, and production of high-quality commercial painting projects, which we back with our satisfaction guarantee.
From aging retail space to brand new commercial construction, our staff of licensed painters will ensure that your paint project provides you with a clean, professional aesthetic. If you need a painting company, you can trust us to get the job done right, and on budget, while building a long-lasting professional relationship; we are here to serve. Get a free commercial painting estimate from Paintmaster Inc. for your commercial building!
