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Paint Contractors-- How To Find The Right One
So you have finally decided to have the exterior of your house repainted. Perhaps it is a completely new color scheme, or maybe just a touch-up. You know what colors you want to use. Now you need to find someone to apply them. Your local phone books are packed with paint contractors, and you would be remiss to pick one out at random, though you may feel frustrated enough to do so when bombarded with so many options. Instead, the following steps will help you find the right person for the job and ensure that everyone involved will be satisfied.
- Word of mouth: the best way to begin your search. You may have friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors who have had their houses painted recently. Ask everyone you know who has about their experience: Who did they choose? How? Were they satisfied with the job? Did they overpay? If you do not know anybody who has had this kind of work done, get online quotes from top local paint contractors. Either way, once you have found out all you can, compile a list of local contractors and narrow it down to three or so.
- Get several bids. Once you have your list, you should set up appointments with each candidate in order to find out the ballpark price for the kind of work you want done. Be prepared to spend more than the lowest estimate, as it is sometimes better to pay more to ensure you will get exactly what you want.
- List all project details. Before you meet with each of these potential contractors, be sure to compile a list of everything your project will entail- number of coats of paint, trim, etc.- so that you and each contractor will be on the same page. This will also make examining their estimates easier, given that you will know exactly what needs to be done. It will also help you know what questions to ask on each estimate you review.
- Ask questions. As you examine these estimates, you may come across some unexpected costs. Find out what these are, and do not be afraid to ask why some items cost more than you had expected. You should also ask for project details such as how long each one expects the project to take.
- Find out about more about your candidates. You may have a few word-of-mouth accounts of how these contractors do, but the web is an excellent resource for information about these potential contractors. Check their websites, if they have them. You will probably find testimonials for at least one or two.
- Ask for references. Ask your top candidates for at least three references from people who hired them in the past to call for feedback. This information may be slanted, given the unlikelihood that they will refer you to someone who was dissatisfied with the work they had done. Keep this in mind, but don't let it make you cynical. You can also ask for the name and phone number of a customer who was initially not satisfied but had the problems resolved by the contractor.
- Be clear, contract or not. From start to finish, make sure the contractor you choose knows exactly what you want and that you have discussed even the tiniest details of the job. Make sure your estimate comes in a written itemized list, and go over it thoroughly. Agree well ahead of time on how you will pay your contractor. They will likely require a deposit, which covers things like supplies. Make sure the contractor knows that you will pay the remainder of the balance once everything included in the estimate has been completed to your satisfaction.
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