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If you are considering hiring a professional to paint your house, you can most probably expect better results than painting the house yourself - if you hire the right painter. This page provides information on how to hire a house painter.
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If you are considering hiring a professional to paint your house, you can most probably expect better results than painting the house yourself - if you hire the right painter. This page provides information on how to hire a house painter.
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Introduction
If your house needs painting, you might want to consider hiring a professional painter. Hiring a professional will of course be more expensive, but it will most likely pay off in better results - if you follow some basic steps when hiring the painter. Professionals are also better equipped to handle potential hazards when painting and hiring a professional can protect you from injuries or exposure to potential lead or hazardous waste. -
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Step 2: Research the Painter
- The most important step in hiring a house painter is finding the right one. Where you find the painter is less important than how you research him or her.
- Ask for references and contact them to inquire about the painter's work.
- If you got the painter's information from someone you know, make sure you ask the actual people who hired the painter about the results.
- Painting usually looks best in the beginning. Try to talk to people where the painter worked a few years ago.
- If possible, visit houses the painter worked on and inspect the results yourself.
- Find out if the painter offers any warranties or guarantees.
- Membership in the national Painting and Decorating Contractors of America can indicate certain level of professionalism.
- You can find out through the Better Business Bureau if anyone has filed complaints against the painter.
- To find out if the contractor is licensed in your state (not all states requires licensing), visit Contractors' License Reference Site.
Step 3: Get Quotes
Get written estimates of the price of the work from the painter. If you are considering more than one, get a quote from each one. Make sure they receive the same, specific instructions on the work that needs to be done to allow for comparison shopping. But also realize than you often, although not always, get what you pay for and that a low price could indicate the result will not be satisfactory.Step 4: Sign a Contract
After you have decided on a painter, it is time to sign a contract. The contract should specify cost, estimated time and the work that will be done. Don't sign a general contract; instead, do some research about painting and specify how the surface will be prepared, how the paint will be applied, what paint will be used and how the painter will protect surrounding areas. The painter should be paid a deposit when the contract is signed, an partial payment when the painting starts, another payment in the middle of the work and a final payment when the work is concluded.Conclusion
If you choose to hire a painter for your house, make sure you research the painter and study and if necessary modify the contract to make sure the painter is bound by certain requirements. Although there are no guarantees, taking this steps makes it more likely that the final results will be satisfactory for many years.
