Having your commercial facility or business painted is not the same as having your house painted, because the painter you choose has to know how to paint a building that is larger and often more complex than your home. Besides experience, there are numerous things to look for when you need a store or office building painted, and believe it or not, they are very simple things to do. Below are a few of those things.
1. Get it in Writing
Some people feel awkward about this step, but a true professional will be happy to provide you with a free quote that is in writing. The quote should include specific details of the job, with nothing left out of it, so that you know exactly what you’re getting for your money. A quote is not simply a monetary amount written down on a piece of paper, so make sure that you know exactly what you’re getting with the quotes you receive.
2. Pay Attention to Any Guarantees or Warranties
Most reputable painters will include some type of guarantee or warranty in their contract, and it is important to pay attention to these. They can vary greatly between companies, and it is important that you read the “fine print,” so to speak, so that you completely understand what you’re purchasing. It is easy to think that everything will go perfectly with the job you’ve hired them to do, but if things go wrong after the painters leave, it is crucial that you have a Plan B so you’re not left out in the cold.
3. Obtain More Than One Quote
Just like other household tasks, getting three or more quotes in writing means you’ll be able to accurately compare various companies and their services so that you can decide which one is best for you in the end. When you’re interviewing the painters, make sure the details are the same for each one so that you’re comparing apples to apples. If you decide in advance exactly what you want the painters to do, this becomes a lot easier, and three quotes are enough to give you an accurate picture of what the job should cost.
4. Work with the Painter to Establish Deadlines
Painting jobs usually have deadlines, including deadlines for when the job will be finished, when each part of the payment is due, and the length of the warranty or guarantee. Establishing these dates ahead of time will make anything you do from then on a lot easier, and it will eliminate any awkwardness about paying the company or calling in warranties if you need to in the future.
5. Check the Painter Out Thoroughly
There are things you can do to make sure the painter that you choose is the right one. Ask for references, get word-of-mouth recommendations, ask about whether or not subcontractors are utilized, ask if the employees have to have drug screening or background checks, and check with local and national professional organizations to make sure their business is in good standing. Don’t just take the painter’s word for it–follow through with a little detective work of your own.