Paragon Painting Articles

Once you have decided to contract with someone to do a particular painting and
decorating project, how do you go about selecting the right company? Do you make
your selection on price, size of company, years in business, or other criteria?

Always verify the contractor is licensed and insured.
Quality contracting firms will be only too happy to provide you with copies of their
certificates of insurance. They should provide bonding information (if the job is large
enough to require such) and documentation of safety training and compliance
programs. Not all states and municipalities require licensing however business
registration with your state and municipality is generally a minimum requirement.

Written Contracts are a Must
Reputable contractors will encourage the use of a written contract. This contract
should clearly explain the scope of the work to be performed. It should also cover
such items as surfaces to be painted, methods and extent of surface preparation, time
schedules for the project, and payment procedures. Knowing the total scope of the
work enables you to carefully evaluate the different bids you may receive with the
proper information and keep them on a level playing field. The contract serves to
protect both you and the contractor.

Invest Time in Verifying References
Obtain a list of references from the prospective contractor. This list should include
the contact person, address, and telephone number of the previous client. Follow up
on this list with a phone call. Remember, the contractor will not give you a bad
reference. Therefore, ask references if they know of any other work this contractor
has performed. Be sure to ask whether the contractor and employees treated you
professionally and with respect. The references you are interested in should be
projects similar in size and scope to yours. Also, some of the projects should be at
least a few years old. This will help you gauge the performance of the construction
and materials used. If possible, try to see the work that was done.

Discuss any guarantee or warranty programs the contractor may offer. Ask about the
manufacturer's warranty on the products to be used on your project. Remember you
are looking for long-term durability from the paint job. The use of high quality
products is as important as the selection and performance of the contractor. Verifying
references will provide a return on your project investment.

In Closing
Good contractors are very eager for your business. They are also very proud of their
craftsmanship. Once you have made your selection, step back and give the
professional room to execute the project. You have both done your homework, so
give the professional the opportunity to meet and exceed your expectations.
Remember, as with anything else in life, you get what you pay for. If you want high
quality and reliable service, be willing to pay the price that comes with it.

Here's to your successful painting projects.