Now that you’ve decided your home will do with a new coat, it’s time to start looking for someone with the expertise of getting the job done. Choosing a professional painter near you can be a lot of work. So, a good way to start is knowing what to look for. That’s what you’ll learn in this guide.

Who is a Professional Painter?

The painting contractor meaning is someone or a company specializing in providing painting services to houses, offices and other kinds of buildings.

House owners know the importance of hiring a professional painter. Because the exterior of the house is the first attraction, you want to make sure it’s “presentable.”

Hiring a Painter Checklist

In choosing a professional painter near you, look beyond what the person or company says it will do and look at other important things. Here’s our checklist for picking the best painting contractor within your vicinity in Nigeria.

1. Agree on the Level of Preparation/Deliverables

One mistake most homeowners make is allowing the “painter to do all the job.” While the professional is expected to exhibit a high level of experience, you also need to put in effort to make the job a success.

Make sure to flesh out the most important details, such as:

• The type of surface needed and whether it should be an upgrade to what’s already existing.
• The number of coats to be applied.
• The type of paint to be used for the job.

2. Start Looking for a Painter

Want to get someone to help replace the old coats in your home or office? Start by “looking” for the best professional that can offer that service.

A good way to start is:

• Asking for References: call up friends, neighbours, family members or colleagues asking them for contacts of the painter(s) they’ve used and liked their services.
• Check Online: in a digital world, there’s no limit to the amount of information accessible via the Internet. So, use the Facebook search bar, Twitter search results, Google or even online directories to look up professional painters near you.

Also Read: How to Decide the Perfect Paint Colour that Suits You in Nigeria

3. Get to Meet the Professionals

With the list of painters near you, including those referred by friends and family, you can now proceed to the next step of meeting them. We must emphasize the need to get to know these professionals before hiring them for the job.

• Meeting them helps you know their areas of strength. Ideally, you need painters who can cover your type of requirements.
• The meeting is a good way to take note of the attention to detail and how much time each painter uses to access the house.
• Meet the shortlisted painters and find out the size of their team. This information is essential if you’re looking to get the job done faster.

4. Interview the Shortlisted Painters

Turns out you may need more hands on the walls. Interviewing the shortlisted painters is a good way to pick a select few out of a handful. Here’s what you should be keen to find out during the session:

Seek Clarity

While you may have an idea of what the final finish will be like; it’s up to the painter to bring it to “life.” Therefore, seeking clarity on what the job requires and what’s best is important. You both must agree on the following:

• The type of paint to use.
• The colour of the preferred paint.
• Whether there are fillings to make, such as cracks and holes.

Ask for the Portfolio(s)

The painters must have previous works that’ll serve as references for the current one they’re looking to be hired for. While the painters provide you with portfolios or references of past work; dig further online and offline to examine the previous jobs done.

Not forgetting that you need to call past clients to confirm if they outsourced their painting job to the contractor. If possible, visit some of the locations and have an outside/general view of how the project is holding up.

Ask for Relevant Credentials

No doubt that some painters learn directly from other professionals but having formal training in this field can go a long way to verifying their expertise.

Ask for relevant training and or certifications obtained in this field of work. This isn’t a guarantee of doing a quality job but it at least goes a long way to show how skilled and reliable the contractor is.

Get Estimates

The interview session is also a good time to get or request estimates of what it’ll take to get the painting job done.

Compare Estimates

Get estimates of the job from each of the contractors, ensuring it covers the direct and indirect costs. Look for the breakdown or costings of the following:

• The number of coats of paint needed.
• Labour costs.
• The brand of materials needed.
• Also, check for the surface preparation needed ahead of the D-Day.

Compare the quotations from the contractors and consider hiring the one who offers a realistic budget.

Also Read: Different Types of Paints, Uses and Applications for Homes and Offices

5. Award the Painting Contract

It’s now time to hire the best painter for the job. The contractor must have presented a realistic budget, be detailed with the deliverables and given a guarantee to make necessary corrections if the paint starts to peel off or blister.

The chosen contractor must have also understood your colour of choice, the preferred design and all other expectations you need.

6. Prepare Ahead

Relevant surface preparations must have been made, including clearing the site. Move any belongings that may be in the way.

7. Monitor the Project

Make time to go through the painting site as the contractor works on it. That’s a good way to spot what’s missing and point it out; thereby, saving time on both ends.

Concluding Thoughts

Hiring a professional painter near you becomes easier when you look for contractors with the kind of expertise for the job. You must also look for the ones with a clear outline of what’s to be done, how long it’d take and what it’d cost to get the job done.

Save yourself the stress of looking all around and not picking the best painter. Schedule a call with us to discuss your needs and find out how our services can reignite the right kind of atmosphere in your abode.