Sprucing up the outside

At some point, wear and tear will dictate that your house’s paint job needs to be addressed. But who should you hire? Here are a few tips on hiring the right professional painter for the job:

WHY HIRE A PRO?

This job is typically too big, and might be too dangerous, for the average homeowner to tackle. Instead, look for experienced paint companies that specialize in exterior work. (Some painters focus solely on interior projects, so save those for when you need to update your kitchen.) Before reaching out to potential painters, take some time to familiarize yourself with the exterior surfaces of your home. Browse home improvement stores and design magazines to gather inspiration for your desired aesthetic. You might even consider gathering some paint samples to help underscore the kind of colors you prefer.

EARLY EVALUATION

The cost of these exterior jobs reaches into the thousands of dollars, so conduct thorough research before you make a hire. Before inviting painters to assess your home, look for online reviews and neighbor recommendations. Get three to five pre-estimates for any work you plan on having done, and then carefully evaluate them. View examples of their previous work on other homes.

CONSULTATIONS AND QUOTES

Reputable painters will visit a home to provide an individualized estimate. During this visit, they will inspect your paint job’s current condition while identifying any architectural challenges that may affect the project. This comprehensive evaluation helps them complete a more precise quote. Present your ideas regarding colors and seek their feedback. Their recommendations might include specific products or finishes that are more suitable for your local climate.

Ask each paint contractor about their years of experience in the industry. Make sure they are properly licensed and insured, and ask about affiliations with professional associations. Pay close attention to their professional insights, but don’t be persuaded into choices that aren’t in line with your own budget or personal preferences. Following this discussion, the painter will provide a more detailed estimate. Review everyone’s quotes, paying attention to the variations among them, before making a final decision. Ask about guarantees on their work.