When people see your business, you want to make a strong first impression. If your walls look faded and dingy, they might leave. Instead, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders in helping you attract customers.
Want to wow clients? Consider hiring a commercial painting service.
Before you do, it helps to know that there are over 375,000 painters in the US. You don't want to hire the first painters you meet. Otherwise, you might make one of these costly mistakes.
Hiring inexperienced painters could leave your walls looking worse than before. You might pay more than expected for their disappointing services, too.
Instead, try to avoid these eight mistakes during your search. By reading this guide, you can hire professionals who know their stuff. Start your search with these tips today!
1. Not Researching the Painter
You don't want to hire someone without doing your due diligence first. Otherwise, you might hire a commercial painter who lies about their services.
Hiring an experienced painter can make a big difference in the outcome of your project. An amateur painter might skip prep work or use cheap paint. They might not even realize they need to prep your walls before adding a single coat.
Take the time to research the painter before hiring them. Choose someone with years of commercial painting experience.
A brand new business is likely still making mistakes and working out the kinks in their operations. A long-running company, on the other hand, has learned from those mistakes. Experienced companies also have more resources, allowing them to take on larger projects.
If your company's building has many rooms and floors, you'll want to choose a company with the resources you need.
Employees Versus Contractors
Does the company use contractors or employees? Employees are usually trained to use an efficient process. They also maintain their training to provide the highest quality of workmanship.
If the company hires subcontractors, ask about their vetting process. Are the subcontractors trained at all? Can you see images of previous projects to determine their workmanship?
Is the entire team up-to-date with the latest practices and techniques?
Asking these questions can help you avoid making the mistake of choosing a company without proper experience.
2. Not Confirming Product Quality
Before hiring a commercial painting service, ask them about the materials they use. What type of paint do they plan on using? If they use sub-par work materials, the color of your walls might fade faster than expected. If you live in a sunny area, your exterior coat could fade even faster.
When choosing a commercial painting company, it's important to note their materials can impact the cost. Remember, you're getting what you're paying for between the team's experience and their materials. Don't make the mistake of wasting your money. Instead, choose a company that uses high-quality paint products. Otherwise, you might have to call them back for a second coat.
3. Failing to Ask for References
Don't trust a company when they claim to offer high-quality services. Instead, make sure to ask for references when you talk to contractors in the area. References and reviews will help you verify a company's claims.
Are the majority of their reviews positive? One or two negative reviews are normal. Too many, however, is a red flag.
About 84% of people trust online reviews as much as they trust their friends. Reviews will help you confirm the company's claims are true.
4. Not Looking for License and Insurance
You want to find a commercial painting service you can trust. Before hiring someone, ask for proof of their license and insurance.
Many companies need a specific license before they can take on commercial projects. They might need a specific license for the type of project as well. Ask for visual proof of their license before hiring them.
It's also important to make sure they have insurance. What happens if someone gets hurt while working on your company's property? You could have to cover the cost of medical bills and lost wages. Instead, make sure the painting company's insurance will cover these incidents.
5. Failing to Explain Your Project
Take the time to talk to contractors in the area about your project. Can they handle the scope of your project? Do they have the manpower and materials necessary? How long will it take them to complete the project? Discussing the specifics of your project before hiring a painting company will help you confirm they're the right company for the job.
6. Hiring the Cheapest Option
Try to get a few quotes from painting companies in the area. Don't rush to hire the cheapest option, though. Ask for an estimate that includes the cost of labor and cost of materials. The cost of premium-quality paint is around $40 per gallon.
Choosing the cheapest option could mean you're sacrificing quality. Instead, use the tips above to look for someone with the commercial painting experience you need.
7. Not Reviewing the Contract
Don't sign on the dotted line yet! Instead, take time to review the company's contract.
If you have any questions, ask before you sign. Make sure everything you discuss about your project (the estimate, timeline, etc.) is written down. If there are any arguments, you can use the contract as proof.
8. Checking the Warranty
When reviewing the contract, make sure to look for mention of the company's warranty. Choosing a company with a warranty agreement will give you peace of mind. Otherwise, you'll have to pay for their services again.
If the company's services were disappointing, you might have to hire a different company altogether.
Review how long their warranty lasts. Does the warranty cover both materials and labor? Will the company return within a year of their initial service?
What if you're unhappy? What will they do to fix the problem?
Remember to get everything in writing. If there's any disagreement about previous terms, you can refer back to your contract. Don't sign a contract until confirming everything is in writing.
Choose the Best: 8 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Commercial Painting Service
Avoid hiring an inexperienced commercial painting service. Instead, use these tips to find the best in the business. By choosing an experienced team, you can make sure your company building looks its best with a fresh coat of paint!
Looking for local commercial painters? We're here to help. Contact us today online for a free quote, or give us a call at 240-638-1367.