Do you want to get the most out of your next painting job? You have several options. Depending on the size and scope of your project, you can choose from a wide range of painting services. With so many options available in the GTA, deciding which Toronto painting company is right for you is challenging.
It’s no wonder that so many people are intimidated by hiring a painter. It can seem like an intimidating process. But if you take the time to prepare yourself with the right questions to ask your painter, things will go more smoothly. And definitely, you’ll save yourself time and money!
3 Things to Consider Before Hiring a Toronto Painting Contractor
When you’re in the market for a house painting contractor, knowing what you want and need can take a lot of work. So, before you hire someone to help you with your home painting project (and before you even start looking for a painter), we recommend taking some time to consider these things first:
1. First, how much money are you willing to spend?
The first thing that you should consider when hiring is your budget. Having a realistic idea of how much you will spend would be best. Is this a project that you are hoping to do on the cheap? Or is it something that you want to spend time and money on? You’ll have to set a budget before you even start and be realistic about what you can afford. Just be careful when deciding on a budget. Choosing the cheapest option is one of the biggest homeowners’ mistakes when hiring a professional contractor.
Remember: not all bargains are worthwhile.
2. Next, how much painting do you need to be done?
It’s important to consider how much of the project you want to do. Is it a single room or an entire house? Is it an interior painting or an exterior painting? If you’re doing one room in your home, hiring a professional painter might not be worth the cost. But if multiple rooms need to be painted or if you have a lot of trim and moulding in your home, then hiring a pro is probably worth your money.
3. And lastly, what are your expectations?
Are you looking for someone who will just come in and do an average paint job on your house? Or do you want someone with experience dealing with large surfaces or spaces? Do you want them to be fast? Do you want them to be reliable? If any of these things are important to you, ensure they are reflected in the contract. If they don’t meet your expectations, you may end up with a poorly done job or unsatisfactory service.
Top 5 Questions You MUST Ask Before You Hire a Toronto Painting Contractor
1. How long has your company been operating?
You don’t want to hire someone who will leave after just one job or has no experience in the field in which they’re offering their services. A minimum of 10 years of experience is excellent. If they’ve been painting for a while, they’ve learned from their mistakes and improved their technique. Below ten years of experience might need more time to understand what goes into providing quality painting services. It might be better to go with other painting companies in Toronto that have more experience.
Consumer tip: Many companies will claim they have been in business for a certain amount of years, but sometimes they may exaggerate. Ask to see a valid master business license to check the date. Another tip is to check their online reviews and go from the latest or oldest to the newest. Check to see the oldest review and the date. This will be a way you can check to see if what they are saying is valid or not.
2. Does your company have valid documents?
Any painter worth their salt will have all the necessary licenses and permits, but it’s always wise to double-check! Ensuring that your painter is bonded, has Worker Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage, and has general liability insurance also makes sense. Or if they had criminal checks done.
You may also want to check if they provide a written warranty or what their insurance policy is like. If there’s an accident or something breaks or gets damaged in your house, who pays for it? This is something all homeowners should know about before hiring anyone.
Consumer tip: Always ask for the actual WSIB clearance certificate and General liability insurance certificate. Both of these documents need to be renewed regularly. So seeing an up-to-date certificate ensures you are covered from any mishaps should they occur.
3. What is your experience with this particular type of project?
This is a crucial question to ask before you hire a painter. You want a painter who has experience working on similar projects in the past so that they can have insight into how long it will take and what they need to do to get the job done right. Feel free to ask them about their prior work. Some Toronto painting contractors specialize in specific areas, while others have experience with all types of projects. This can make a big difference in terms of how smoothly the project goes and how satisfied you will be with the results.
Consumer tip: Most pro contractors document their work regularly. If it’s an exterior project, ask for a nearby address for you to see. This is the ideal scenario, so you can see with your own eyes if you are satisfied with the result you want. If it’s an interior project, at least ask for specific pictures of that project. Also, if their client does not mind, ask to speak to that particular client as an added bonus to ensure they are satisfied with the job.
4. Methods of payment options?
This should be straightforward. But the financial stability of a company will often be indicative of the quality of the work that is performed. For example, if they offer credit card options, this is a clue that you are dealing with a more stable company than if they require cash or cheque-only payment options.
Another clue is if they offer payment plans. If they don’t require full payment right away upon completion and offer a monthly, no-interest payment plan option, it is a hint that you are dealing with a financially stable company. This increases your chances of avoiding an unscrupulous painting contractor.
Consumer tip: If they provide an estimate that seems too low compared to the market price, it is often a huge red flag. This is a sign that they aren’t running a proper business. This often leads to a painting contractor cutting corners on surface preparation, materials, or both. Everyone wants a bargain, but if it seems too good to be true, then it often is.
5. Do you have references?
It’s essential not only that your painting contractor has experience but also that they have a solid reputation in the industry. Start by asking for references from previous clients and find out if there are any issues with those references. You want to make sure that they’ve done an excellent job before and that they’re capable of doing your project too.
In Toronto, in particular, HomeStars is the #1 painting contractor review platform. This is because HomeStars screens each review individually, thereby adding an additional layer of authenticity by ensuring that these reviews are legit. Also, don’t just check their good reviews; check their bad ones as well. Everyone has good reviews, but how do they respond and deal with unreasonable situations? Is this a company you would like to work with?
In addition, check their portfolio on their website or any social media accounts. Do they showcase their work and take pride in their projects? This will hint at how well they’ll do with your house painting job.
Consumer tip: As mentioned above, everyone has good reviews, but do they have bad reviews? If they don’t, then that’s often unrealistic. It makes one wonder if all these reviews are legit. And if they have been around long enough with a long enough track record to be considered a worthy candidate.
Hiring a painter is a serious and important decision that you want to take your time with. That’s why we’ve made this list of essential questions to ask a painting contractor for you to consider. They’ll determine what makes a good house painter. With these in mind, you should be armed with all the information needed to make an informed choice and get the best value possible.
Want to Make Sure You Are Hiring the Best When Painting in Toronto?
Why not try Home Painters Toronto? They hire only experienced house painters who are fully trained to meet the high standards they bring to every job. They also protect you and your property with $5 million in General Liability Insurance (versus the industry average of $2 million) and have full WSIB coverage. Not only that, all of their work comes with a two-year Quality Guarantee! Give them a call at 416.494.9095, or email them at Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com.