Here are three questions to ask painting contractors when getting bids for your next painting project. These questions will help you make a smart decision.
Who is going to do the actual work?
This may seem like a silly question, but it really is the most important one you could ask. When you hire Greg Mrakich Painting in Indianapolis Indiana, you get Greg Mrakich doing the work. On bigger jobs I may have some help, but the people I hire to work with me meet my standards, so they will meet yours. The more highly skilled the craftsmen are who are working on your home, the better the results.
With many companies, especially the bigger painting firms that run paint crews, the only time you will see the owner (if you even see the owner) is when he comes around to collect the payment (unless there is a problem with the quality of the work). Also, some of the bigger firms employ estimators to price the job, and use a separate paint crew to do the work. You may never even meet the owner.
The second question to ask the painting firm before hiring is what brand and grade of paint products do they use?
All paint is not created equal. I always use top of the line products for the best and longest lasting results. The labor is the same so why would anyone use a cheap paint? The cost savings are not worth it. You want a paint that will last, can be cleaned and if need be, easily touched up. This goes for interior paint projects as well as exterior paint projects.
How long will the job take?
A reasonable question that a professional painter should be able to tell you. If the contractor has inspected the job closely there really should be no surprises. Find out if they do several jobs at the same time or if they will only be working your job until it is completed. Some contractors will work several jobs at the same time, and this will drag out your job time and disrupt your daily routine longer. I only do one job at a time…get in and out so my clients can get back to their normal routine with minimal, if any, disruptions.
The following very important question applies only to homes, schools and child care facilities built before 1978:
Are you an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm?
If your home was build before 1978, anyone you hire to do any renovation, repair work or painting in your home MUST be Lead-Safe Certified from the EPA to even bid on the job and they must provide you with the proof of certification and the EPA pamphlet, “Renovate Right” before starting the job.
Greg Mrakich Painting is an EPA lead-safe certified firm. For more information about Greg Mrakich and Greg Mrakich Painting, click here. Or, if you live in the metropolitan Indianapolis area and would like to contact me, click here.
