How to Hire a Painter?
When referring to or hiring a house painter, 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 to find a reliable professional painter you can trust. It can be very daunting to have to find qualified local painting contractors and rely on them. Especially if they were never referred to you or you have never seen their work.
We’re here to give you a list of some critical questions you may want to ask a painting contractor to make sure they are qualified painters for the job.
Here are the 10 Questions you MUST Ask Before You Hire a Painter:
1. Ask For A Written Warranty
2. Do They Have A Clearance Certificate from Workers Safety Insurance Board (WSIB)?
When reaching out to a painting company, it’s crucial to ask what different warranties they offer to their clients. Interior painting warranties are especially important as your home sees so much wear and tear from being lived in. Exterior painting warranties are vital as well due to weather and climate issues.
Hiring a painter in Toronto can range from $2 to $3 plus HST per square foot, but costs can change depending on the services you’re looking for and the size of your home. We recommend getting a free quote to estimate your interior or exterior painting job.
A professional will come to your property, you can discuss what you’re looking for, and they can give you a good idea of what that will cost, so it’s easier to budget. They can let you know if there’s any extra work like damage repair, extra coats, or anything else that might change the costs.
Knowing the warranty before getting started is key, as a reputable company should always guarantee their work if they stand behind it.
If the painting contractor doesn’t have WSIB and a painter gets injured, then you and your home insurance are liable for this pro painter’s current and future wages as well as medical expenses.
So, WSIB is a top criteria for hiring a painting company who not only protects their house painters, but also their clients.
3. What About Liability Insurance?
4. How Many Years Has The Painting Company Been In Business?
Minimum $1 million liability but $5 million liability insurance is preferred. If an accident occurs (i.e. a bad paint spill or damaged property), you are liable for your own property, unless you want to go through the hassle of legal measures. This is good to have especially if the painting job size is less than the value of what can be damaged.
As with any professional that comes into your home for a project, don’t hire a painter without insurance. There are two types of insurance that a painter should have before starting work on your home. Comprehensive Business Liability covers you as a consumer in case anything happens on your property. Worker’s Compensation insurance covers the painter in case they get injured on the job.
When thinking about who you should pick when looking to hire a painter, it’s best to consider how long they have been in business. When a company has been in business for a long time, that illustrates excellent customer service and a job well done.
A minimum of 5 years of professional painting experience is great. But preferably over 10 years in the painting services business is always best. You know they have experience and have built up a good client base.
5. Does The Painting Company Have References, Client Testimonials & Good Reviews?
Be sure to look at client reviews on Google My Business or Homestars. Looking for their most recent is always helpful. Plus, check their website to see if they have any video testimonials from clients themselves. Taking a look at previous jobs and reviews can let you know what to expect for that painting company.
When a company has mostly positive reviews, that’s a great sign. Although every company has experience with customers that could lead to negative reviews, read through all the reviews on all platforms and make sure they sound genuine. Some painters have references you can call if you want to dive a little deeper.
If you’ve found a company you’re interested in working with, give them a call with questions to ask when you hire a painter in Toronto. First impressions are important, and if they answer your questions happily, they likely care about you as a customer.
6. Ask To See Criminal Record Checks Before You Hire A Painter
7. Ask To See Portfolios From Previous Painting Jobs
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:
Toronto Police Clearance Checks
Or asking for their Clearance Badge that all employees should have if they have been checked. Every reputable painting company should easily be able to provide a Clearance Badge to their employees which will help to give you peace of mind.
Before & After photos are a great way to scope out the work your potential painting contractor has completed in the past.
It’s also a great way to see how they successfully transition space from outdated to modern and clean!
8. Do They Have A Local business Address Or Just A Business Card?
9. Ask About Starting And Finishing Times
It’s important to check out that there is an actual and legitimate painting company set up. Otherwise, who knows if the warranties they promise and the expertise of the painters will actually hold up.
When starting any home project, having a timeline is important. If you’re on a tight timeline for your painting project, it’s important to put it in writing on the property painting contract!
The contract should include the start and finish dates, daily schedule and total days estimated. A seasoned painter will have a good idea of how long jobs will take.
Finding painting contractors who will stick to a schedule and specific timeline is crucial. Not all jobs are created equal and you should have some flexibility in your schedule in case something unexpected pops up. Once you have a quote and the professional painters have been to your home to see the scope of the project, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from an exterior house painter.
10. What Are The Quality Of Materials That Are Being Used?
Paint quality in terms of interior house paint and exterior paint is very important as well. Make sure the painting company uses reputable paint brands. Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Behr are all great paint brands that have been producing quality paint for years.
One of the questions to ask a painter about is the quality of the products they’ll be using. While high-quality materials will cost more up-front, the longevity will be worth the cost. Included in the contract should be a breakdown of the materials and costs.
Finding a Reliable Painter in Canada: Top Sources
Hiring a reliable painter in Canada is crucial for a successful painting project. To find the right professional painter who provides quality services and delivers on time, consider using these top sources:
1. Referrals from Friends and Family
Ask for recommendations from friends, family, neighbours, or colleagues who have previously hired painters for their projects. This can be an invaluable source of trusted and honest referrals, as they can share their experiences and satisfaction with the painter’s work.
2. Online Directories and Reviews
Check online directories, like Canada’s local business directories, Yellow Pages, and Yelp, to search for painters and read client reviews. Evaluating ratings and client feedback can help you shortlist potential painters. Keep in mind that a few negative reviews amongst a sizable number of positive ones should not necessarily be a red flag, but instead, focus on how the painter addressed any concerns raised by the client.
3. Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram can be useful for finding reliable local painters. Many painters and painting companies have social media profiles, showcasing their work and highlighting client testimonials. Some platforms, like Facebook, allow users to ask for recommendations within their communities, which can help generate a list of painter referrals.
4. Home Improvement Stores
Local home improvement stores and paint shops frequently work with professional painters and may have contractor referral programs. The staff at these stores can often provide a list of painters they recommend based on the quality of their work and their professional relationships.
5. Online Contractor Services Platforms
Several websites specialize in connecting clients with local contractors, including painters. Examples of such platforms include HomeStars, TrustedPros, and Houzz. These websites offer client testimonials, ratings, and detailed project information, which can help you make an informed decision in hiring a painter.
6. Local Trade Associations
Contact local trade associations, like the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) or the Painting Contractors Association (PCA), to find reputable and experienced painters who are members. These associations often have strict membership criteria and adhere to specific industry standards to ensure quality services.
After compiling a list of potential painters through these various sources, remember to evaluate them using the above questions to ask a painter in an interview. This assessment will help you confirm their reliability, professionalism, and expertise to ensure the best possible outcome for your painting project.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW MUCH DO PAINTERS CHARGE PER SQ FT IN TORONTO?
To paint your home in Toronto, the cost per square foot is around $2 to $3 plus HST. Small to medium-sized homes cost between $4,000 and $5,000, and large to extra-large homes cost between $5,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on square footage. To get a more precise estimate, getting a free quote is recommended.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR EXTERIOR PAINT TO CURE?
Once an exterior paint job has been completed, the paint will dry down in a few hours. However, it can take up to 30 days to cure. Choosing a time of year with consistent weather is important when hiring a painter in Toronto.
Different paints will have different drying and curing times, and at Home Painters Toronto, we use high-quality water-based paints that can dry down a bit faster than oil-based paint. Our team pays close attention to the details needed to get the best exterior paint job done.
WILL RAIN RUIN THE EXTERIOR PAINT OF YOUR HOUSE?
It’s definitely not ideal to paint your home in the rain unless there are areas of your home that are completely covered. Exterior paint can take on the rain’s moisture and compromise the quality of the job.
If you’re painting after a rainstorm, make sure the surface of your siding is completely dry before painting and check the forecast to ensure some sunny days ahead.
Final Thought: Use your instincts and intuition when looking to hire a painter
There are plenty of painters offering services; many are true professionals, and some are trying to get as much money as possible without providing great work. Take your time in choosing the right contractor for you who is insured, has excellent reviews, and whom you have a great experience with during the quoting process.
In the end, it’s important to use your gut instinct and intuition when it comes to hiring a painting company. If you set up a free quote and felt as though you really hit it off, follow those good feelings. Sure, some people are just trying to sell to you.
But if you come across someone who shows that they really care about transforming your home and your life then you know you’ve hit a goldmine. That sincerity and going that extra mile are hard to come by. Plus, if they have the expertise to provide you with quality painting that’s smooth, fresh and clean looking — so much the better!
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With all the worry and concern over renovation contractors, Home Painters Toronto has made earning your trust our #1 priority.
We’ve been in business for over 36 years, a list of over 10,000 satisfied clients, and one of the top-rated Toronto painting contractors on HomeStars.
In addition, we protect you with $5 million in General Liability Insurance, full workers compensation, provide written painting quotes, and we stand behind all our work with a Two Year Quality Guarantee… hence, even when the job is done, we will still be there for you.
Did this help make your decision as to who it should be when you hire a painting company? There is so much to think about in terms of finding the right painting contractors for the work you need to be completed. Let our professional house painters handle everything!
Call 416.494.9095 or email Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com for a FREE quote. And don’t forget to visit us on social media (below) as well!
