Shirley's San Antonio Real Estate Blog: Desperately Seeking a Reputable Painter?

I have a client who recently had the interior of his house painted by an relative's friend who needed work.  This "friend" painted the house but not in the color requested, didn't prepare the surface, use a primer, or tape off edges.  My client has no recourse since this "painter" wasn't bonded and is no longer in town.  A lot of people, including my husband and I, have had bad experiences with painters, home repairmen, electricians, roofers, etc., resulting from shoddy work, shoddy materials, disappearing after aking for money and getting it; leaving a mess in their wake.  We now have connections with a good and trustworthy contractor and I hate to see others get taken by disreputable contractors.

Desperately Seeking a Reputable Painter?

Trusted Sources

The best place to start is with your trusted sources such as friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Ask them about their experiences:

1. Are you happy with the quality provided by the painting contractor?  You should also look at their house and judge the quality of work yourself. Pay close attention areas around doors, windows and trim. Notice if the painter protected non painted surfaces or areas by securely taping them off.

2. Were they professional, courteous, and pleasant?

3. Was the project started and finished in a timely manner?   

5. Is the painter bonded? 

Local Paint Stores

Speak with someone in your paint store. Most professional painters purchase their products from a local supplier such as a paint store, Home Depot, Lowe's.

Purchasing paint and other products of the highest quality shows care and concern for outcome of your project.

If a painter has mostly purchased from a single store over time, a reputation (good or bad) has been built with this supplier.  The store will be familiar with the quality of products the painter has purchased.

If you can access this information, on time payment is a good sign of paint jobs finished.

Talk to the counter person and describe your project needs and ask for recommendations.  They are very likely to be able to give you the names of trustworthy painters.  

Better Business Bureau

Look for house painters that have no bad comments or judgments on record.  You can call your local office or check on-line.  The BBB maintains records on contractors, including non-members.  The records include customer comments.

Ask prospective painters a lot of questions before making a decision!

Ask for references from customers whose jobs were similar to yours.

Notice if the contractor was businesslike, courteous, and punctual for the appointment.  This will help provide a stress free experience for you.

Obtain a comprehensive proposal that includes what will be done and what painting products will be used.  The proposal should include the type and amount of surface preparation, priming, type of primer, caulking (type and where used), taping, and the brand of paint used, how many coats will be used.   

Before calling, make detailed notes of what you need done. This information will be used by the painter in the estimate. 

Never Never Never pay a painter or home improvement contractor up front!