When hiring a painter or decorator, knowing that you're getting a high-quality professional is important. With these must-ask questions, you'll get the answers you need before hiring a painting and decorating service.
You're going to want to hire quality painters and decorators who know what they're doing. Formal training isn't the only route to becoming a great painter or decorator, but you might prefer someone who has that education. Ask what their credentials are, and for proof of those credentials, then check them against details from the issuing body.
You must always be alert to the possibility of scammers and cowboys when hiring painters and decorators. The easiest way to check if you're dealing with someone legitimate is by seeing whether they're registered with any trade associations or competency schemes, like TrustMark.
Painters and decorators need to produce beautiful results that fit your aesthetic preferences. You can easily get a good idea of the level of work they're going to provide by asking to see some examples of what they've produced in the past.
When you ask for their portfolio, make sure you pay attention to work similar to what you want from your project. If you're suitably impressed with their skills, that's a positive sign. When painters and decorators don't have a portfolio or are reluctant to share their previous work, it's a red flag.
It's all very well seeing previous work from painters and decorators, but you'll want to know what it's like to deal with them, too. Take a moment to ask for references from previous clients. You should be able to learn about their service quality, communication style, customer service quality, and how they handle issues.
If they're unable to provide references, they might not have had any previous clients or might be hiding negative feedback. When this happens, it's better to find other painters and decorators who are more trustworthy.
Take some time to ask for specific details on how they'll prepare the surfaces and spaces being painted and decorated, and how they'll protect and clean up your property before and after the work. The more they can tell you, the more likely it is they take this work seriously.
If you find explanations lacking, it's probably a sign that they're not going to deliver quality work. In these cases, you're much better off looking for painting and decorating expertise with other more prepared experts in your area.
You should always check if painters and decorators have arranged public liability insurance and, if relevant, employers' liability insurance. These types of insurance coverage ensure you'll have an easier time getting compensated if professionals cause damage to you or your property.
Remember, it's a major red flag if painters and decorators don't have insurance. It suggests they're unprepared for the worst outcomes, and that you might run into a serious dispute if an accident occurs while they're at your property.
You need to know that any work painters and decorators deliver is going to be high quality and is going to last. These guarantees and warranties will give you peace of mind and let you know that if any problems arise, during or after the project, you'll be treated properly.
Of course, the scope of guarantees and warranties can vary considerably. You must ask about how long assurances last and what types of faults, flaws, and quality issues they cover. Get a detailed, written summary explaining the guarantee or warranty terms and conditions before making an agreement.
During or after the painting or decorating project, you might run into quality issues or disagreements about the scope of work. Professionals offering guarantees and warranties should treat you well, but you still need to know how they handle disputes before one crops up.
They should have a specific procedure that they follow to make sure everything moves ahead amicably. If they are unclear on how they handle disputes, you could end up in a heated exchange later down the line. As always, it's best to seek clarity early on.
Everyone wants to know how much hiring a painter or decorator is going to cost them, but establishing specific payment terms is important, too. You should find out when the payment dates would be, if you need to pay a deposit, and whether any additional charges or fees will apply.
Most crucially, you need to get all these details in writing, so you have something to point to if there's a dispute at a later date. By getting all of these details, you're in a much better position to fairly compare quotes from different painters and decorators.
Often, the professionals you want aren't available straight away, so getting an understanding of their availability is important. You need to find out when they're free to work on your property, and how long the work is going to take once they get started.
It's a bad sign if painters and decorators are giving you the run-around and failing to explain possible timings. They might take ages to complete the work, perhaps prioritising other projects or customers, instead. If they lack clarity, consider moving ahead with other painters and decorators.
It's possible that you'll need to cancel or rearrange a booking, and if that happens, you need to know the procedure. Many painters and decorators will expect you to pay a cancellation fee if you wait until the last minute to cancel. You'll often escape these fees if you cancel more than 24 or 48 hours before the appointment.
Yet, not every painter or decorator works this way. It's always best to ask what their cancellation policy is and get specific details about what happens if you cancel. Finding out before booking means you'll never be surprised with nasty penalty fees later on.