Painting

5 questions to ask before hiring a painter

You may not think painting is a very complex task, but there is actually more to it than you think – especially for larger, more complex jobs.

Hiring a tradie can also be slightly intimidating sometimes, especially if you don’t know too much about your job. The key is to educate yourself so you can work out of the tradie or business is a good match for your project. This can make all the difference between getting your job done on time and to budget, and not.

Look to ask your painter these 6 questions before you agree to hire them, and you are a lot likelier to have a better overall experience and finish.

1. How many painters will be working on my job?

If a quote from a painter seems too good to be true, it could be for a crucial reason: the number of people who will be working on your job. If a painting contractor has got a few crews working on different jobs he may want to limit the labour cost on your job – and just have a single person working. The bottom line is that your job will take a lot longer to complete. So – make sure you ask them how many people will be working on my job, and how long will it take. A professional painter will have a very good idea how long it takes to finish your project based on the condition of your walls and the area he has to cover.

2. What paints do you use?

You may think paint is paint right? Wrong! There is a big difference in a quality paint vs a budget paint, most noticeably in the finish, but also in how long it lasts and the coverage you get from a can. A quality paint brand will have better pigments and resins, for improved durability and penetration of a surface – something cheaper paints will skimp on. This is especially important when you are painting outdoor surfaces that are exposed to the elements. Some quality brands to look for in Australia include Dulux, British Paints and Wattyl.

3. Can you provide a written quote?

Happy for a tradie to give you a quote over the phone or in conversation? We recommend you get a written quote – especially for larger, more expensive jobs. Why? You need to see the breakdown of materials vs labour and get a detailed description of the work to be carried out. Written quotes should also detail the business’s key information, like the name, address, phone number, licence number, ABN and payment conditions. The validity of the quote – typically 30 days or less – is also often detailed on the quote.

4. What experience do you have?

Another key factor when hiring a tradie is making sure they have the necessary experience to handle your job. For a painting project this could be the difference between a good finish and an average one. Generally speaking the more experience a painter has the better – especially for your type of job. Some jobs – like roof painting – require the right equipment, and not every painter will take on this type of job. Some painters may also specialise in paint effects, colour consulting or use spray guns, so you may need to clarify this beforehand.

5. Are you insured and licensed?

It’s not just experience that you need to check when hiring a painter, insurance is also important if they are going to be working in your home or premises. They should have public liability insurance which protects the tradie in the event they cause property damage or an injury while working at a job site. Without public liability insurance, they may not be able to pay for the damage, replacement or repair. Where does that leave you? You could be left liable to footing all the costs or having to pay legal fees to recover the money.