10 Things You MUST Ask Your House Painting Contractor Before Hiring Them To Do Your House Painting

When hiring or referring a painter for house painting, there are certain questions you must ask yourself before hiring anyone.  When considering house painting in Toronto or anywhere else, it can be a scary process finding a reliable painter who you can trust.  It can be a very daunting task to have to find a qualified painter and rely on them, especially if they were never referred to you or you have never seen their work.

At Home Painters Toronto, we will give you a list of some critical questions you may want to ask them to make sure you are getting a very qualified painter:

1) A Written warranty – minimum 1 year

2) A Clearance Certificate from Workers Safety Insurance Board

• If they don’t have WSIB and a worker gets injured, then you and your house insurance are liable for this workers current and future wages as well as potential injury

3) Liability insurance – minimum 1 million liability; 5 million liability preferred

• If an accident occurs (ie. Paint spill, damaged property), you are liable for your own property, unless you want to go through the hassle of legal measures.  Especially if the job size is less than the value of what was damaged.

4) Years in business – minimum 5 years, but preferably over 10

5) References

1. 1 year past clients or less
2. 3-5+ years past clients
3. Reputable references: ie worked for any well known commercial corporations

6) Bonded or criminal record checks – especially if you are to let them in your house.   Would you let a stranger into your house if there’s a 50/50 chance they have a criminal record?  Well without at least checking them, that’s what you are doing. Now this can be done online using:

• www.torontopolice.on.ca/recordsmanagement/clearance.php;
• OR asking for their Clearance Badge that all employees should have if they have been checked.

7) Portfolios from previous jobs– before and after photos

8) Do they have an business address or just a business card with a phone number?

9) Starting and approximate finishing times – put it in writing!

10) What kind of materials are being used?

• Quality of paint is very important – make sure it is from a reputable brand
• Low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints are also recommended for the environment and also the health of the household.  Especially if they are painting interior.   If the painters don’t have any knowledge of these types of products they are probably not very up to date and skilled in their field.