If you are interested in hiring residential painting contractors to paint your home, you are likely wondering what you can expect at the start of the process. For most exterior painters, giving an estimate is the first part of their job when meeting with a new customer.

Every professional will take a slightly different approach to offering an exterior painting quote. But they all follow the same guidelines, and this page shows you what to expect in most cases. You will know what will likely happen before you invite a residential painting contractor into your home. You will also discover some red flags you should watch out for if you don’t want to face problems down the road, and you will then be ready to choose your next painting contractor with confidence.

Measurements

No matter if you are getting an interior or exterior painting quote, most professionals begin by taking measurements of the areas you would like to paint. They will measure all the surfaces you want to paint and use that data to calculate how much paint and other supplies they need to complete the job.

In addition to measuring your walls, your painting contractor will need to measure your doors, stairs and any other surface you would like to paint. Most painting contractors either write the numbers down or log them in their phones for later calculation. These calculations also help your painting contractor estimate how much time it will take to do the job.

Surfaces

After measuring the area you want to paint, your contractor will probably take a closer look at the surfaces on which the contractor will work. Your painting contractor will want to know the type of surface you have and what paint is already on it. When it comes to your painting project, these details help determine the type of paint and how much of it your contractor will use.

Evaluation of Preparation Work

Most exterior painters also consider the amount of preparation your project will require because some surfaces are easier to paint than others. If the surface you want to paint has a lot of old paint or wallpaper that is difficult to remove, your contractor might want to power-wash the surface before starting.

Other cases require your painting contractor to sand and scrape the walls. Depending on the surface you have in mind, your painting contractor could need to patch and prime it in addition to taking the other steps. All these factors play a critical role in the amount you can expect to pay, and the team at Cornerstone Painting is happy to answer all your questions before we begin.

Paint Choice

The painting company you hire in Woodinville WA will probably ask you a few questions while giving you an estimate. These painting experts need to know the color you would like to use, but they also want to know the quality and sheen in which you are interested.

A lot of people are confused when it comes to choosing the right paint type for their home or business. If you don’t know what option makes sense for you, let the experts at Cornerstone Painting know what you would like to achieve, and they will point you in the right direction.

Timeline

Your painting contractor will want to know when you would like to begin your project. Let your contractor know if you want to start as soon as possible or if you have another date in mind. Most professionals will do their best to fit into your schedule to make the process easy and straightforward.

Watch Out for These Red Flags

Although many painting companies promise to give you the best results possible, not all of them provide the same quality. The good news is that you can look for a few red flags that something is out of place. Spotting these signs before you agree to start the project saves you time, money and energy.

Ballpark Estimates

Watch out for any painting contractor that offers ballpark estimates. The amount you end up paying could be much higher than their original ballpark estimate, and a few contractors use this approach so that they can later charge as much as they want.

Overcome this problem by asking for the exact price before agreeing to anything. In addition to learning the exact price, you also want to know how long it will take and what materials are going into your project. Let your contractor know that you are not paying a penny over the estimate unless you later agree to do so in writing.

No Formal Estimation Form

Professional painting contractors should carry an estimation form with them on all jobs. The form should include spots for everything they measure and calculate while providing your quote. If the company you hire writes down the information on a random piece of paper, that’s one of the first red flags you should watch for.

A proper form shows that the company you hire is professional, but it also makes it much easier for you to read all the items listed. Review the form to see how much you are paying for materials and labor. If the contractor giving you the estimate does not have a proper form, consider contacting someone else.

Ambiguous About Availability

Painting your home or business is a big task, and you want to know what you are getting from start to finish. When you ask a painting contractor about availability, the contractor should give a clear and direct answer. You will discover that some contractors are ambiguous about when they can start.

That usually means they prioritize their projects based on the ones that pay the most. So if a bigger project pops up at the same time the contractor promised to paint your property, this contractor will likely make you wait until a later date.

Questions You Should Ask a Painting Contractor

Ask these questions before you agree to hire the contractor.

• What Does the Estimate Cover?
• Do You Have Warranties?
• What Kind of Paint Do You Use?
• What Preparation Do You Do?
• Do You Have Proper Permits?
• How Do You Choose the Paint Type and Finish?
• How Long Have You Been in This Crew?
• Who Will Be Working on This Project?
• How Long Will the Project Take?
• How Do You Handle Bad Weather?
• Are Preparation and Cleaning Included in the Estimate?
• Do You Have Any Customer References or Reviews?

Getting Started

If you still need a painting contractor and want experts who keep your needs in mind, contact Cornerstone Painting today.