Alright, so you've decided it's time for a fresh coat of paint. Maybe your home's exterior is looking a little tired after a few too many Auburn summers, or the inside just needs a pick-me-up. Great! But now comes the big question, doesn't it: who do you actually hire?
Finding a good painter isn't exactly rocket science, but it does take a little bit of legwork. I've been in this business a long time, seen plenty of good work, and unfortunately, a fair bit of bad. Here's what I tell folks in Auburn when they ask me how to pick the right crew for their job.
Questions to Ask Every Painter
When someone comes to your house to give you a quote, don't be shy. This is your home, your money, after all. Ask these questions:
- Are you licensed and insured? This isn't something you can compromise on. If they say no, or start to hem and haw, just show 'em the door. You absolutely need to see proof of both. Here in California, you're looking for a C-33 painting contractor license. And insurance? That's what protects you if someone gets hurt on your property or if they accidentally damage something.
- How long have you been in business? Experience really does matter. Someone who's been around for a while usually has their systems down pat and a reputation they want to protect.
- Can you provide references? And don't just take their word for it, please. Call those references. Ask about the quality of work, how they handled any unexpected issues, and if they finished on time and on budget.
- What kind of paint and materials do you use? A good painter will be able to explain why they pick certain products. They should be using quality stuff that's right for the job – whether it's a durable exterior paint for our hot, dry climate or a low-VOC interior paint.
- What's your process? This tells you a lot, believe me. Are they prepping properly? That means cleaning, scraping, sanding, patching, priming. A good paint job is 80% prep. If they just want to slap paint on, well, run.
- What's your warranty? A reputable company will stand behind their work. Ask what's covered and for how long.
What to Look For in a Quote
You'll get a few quotes, I guarantee it. Don't just pick the cheapest one, though. That's a really common mistake. Here's what a good quote should include:
- Detailed Scope of Work: It should clearly list everything they're going to do. Every wall, every door, every trim piece. If it's exterior, it should specify the siding, trim, eaves, doors, windows.
- Material Specifications: What brand and type of paint are they using? How many coats? Primer? This should all be spelled out.
- Preparation Details: How will they prep the surfaces? Power washing, scraping, sanding, patching, caulking, masking. The more detail, the better.
- Timeline: When will they start? When do they expect to finish?
- Payment Schedule: A reasonable deposit (usually 10% or a small fixed amount by law in CA) is fine, but don't pay for the whole job upfront. Final payment should be due upon satisfactory completion.
- Exclusions: What's NOT included? This helps prevent misunderstandings later.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Some things should make you hit the brakes immediately:
- No license or insurance. We already covered this. Big no-no.
- Cash-only deals or huge upfront payments. This screams