1. All paints are not equal
You may think every can of white paint in the hardware store is the same, but you would be surprised at the difference in quality (and price) between decent brands and the cheapies. It all comes down to chemistry: a quality paint brand will have better pigments and resins, for improved durability, penetration of a surface and overall finish – something you won’t get with a cheaper paint. On a practical level you will also get away with less coats of paint if you use a decent brand, which is actually more cost effective in the long run. If you are wanting to know which paints to trust, you can start with these quality brands, including Dulux, British Paints and Wattyl.
2. How big is their team?
You may be tempted to hire the cheapest local painter you find, but you do need to check if they are one ‘person’ band. Why? A single painter is going to take a lot longer to finish your job – especially if it is a whole home. Most professional painters will have a team, who working together will make much shorter work of larger jobs. It means one person can be doing prep work ahead of the painters – and ensure your painting job ticks along at a good pace. So, look to ask them how long your job will take – and when they can start working.
3. It pays to get 3 quotes
Not convinced of getting a number of quotes for your painting job? You may be surprised by the range of prices you get – from a few hundred dollars to a difference of thousands for larger projects. This is why you need to shop around so you can compare apples with apples, which means getting a detailed written quote which lists everything related to your job. This includes a breakdown of materials, labour and anything else related. Written quotes should also detail the business’s key information, like their name, address, phone number, licence number, ABN and payment conditions. You can start by getting an idea of what your job may cost by reading our cost guide section – or articles like How much do painters cost? for a ballpark idea of prices for your painting project.
4. They need to be insured
Any tradie – including painters – who carry out work in your home should be insured. Why? If they have an accident or damage something you could be saddled with footing what could be a very expensive bill. Check to see if they hold public liability insurance, which protects them – and you – while working on your job. They should be able to provide you with a certificate from their insurer, proving they are covered.
5. Check their reputation
It can be difficult working out if a tradie or business has a good reputation, otherwise it can feel like you are gambling your hard earned cash on someone you know nothing about. Start by checking their website, Facebook page, hipages profile and any Google reviews they have collected. Word of mouth – from family, friends and colleagues – is another powerful tool – especially if it comes from someone you know and trust. Take the time to do this and you are more likely to connect with a business that cares about their reputation.
Armed with this knowledge you should be in a better position to interact with and hire a reputable local painter – and ensure your job gets done right!
