Ask Away Blog: 5 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Commercial Painting Contractor

Many reputable commercial painting contractors will work during your business' off hours to complete the project without disrupting your employees or customers. They will also be able to provide you with a detailed estimate that itemizes all materials used and any additional fees encountered.

In addition, the contractor must be adequately insured with workers' compensation and general liability coverage.

Reputation

When prospective clients search online for "painting contractors near me," their first impression is the contractor's website and reviews.

A solid reputation is the new word of mouth and is more powerful than ever. Consumers look for painting companies with glowing testimonials and high star ratings. They also expect prompt responses to questions and concerns.

Experience is an excellent teacher, and it teaches commercial painters how to complete projects on time and within budget. This is critical for commercial and industrial painting projects that must avoid disrupting business operations. Moreover, commercial project managers are generally required to manage multiple stakeholders, so they must have the experience and expertise to handle these projects.

Reputable commercial painting services will be a member of trade associations, demonstrating their commitment to the industry, safety and quality work. This indicates the team is established, stable and committed to their community. In addition, their membership shows that they are vetted and have the technical skills, qualifications and certifications to perform industrial jobs.

Experience

Choosing a contractor with experience with commercial locations is important, as these present unique challenges compared to single-family homes. Look for contractors with a portfolio of past projects, and client reviews online to get a sense of their quality work.

It is also good to ask for referrals from colleagues or local business owners. They can provide you with a list of paint professionals they have worked with and recommend. It's worth noting whether a painter is a member of professional painting associations or community organizations, which can indicate their commitment to the industry and quality artistry.

A reliable contractor should be able to provide you with detailed estimates, including an itemized list of materials, labor, and costs such as taxes, fees, and paint per gallon. The assessment should also include the timeline for completing the job. You can often tell how a contractor will treat you during selection by their professionalism and respect for your preferences. They should always aim to minimize disruptions at your workplace and complete the project on time.

Insurance

A painting business should have general liability insurance to protect it from damage and injury claims that result from its operations. The policy will typically cover the expenses incurred up to its coverage limit. If a claim exceeds the limit, the painting company's assets may be at risk. Interior and exterior painting projects can be dangerous, especially when working at heights using ladders, scaffolding, cherry pickers, and other equipment. A quality painting contractor will also have workers' compensation (WC) insurance to protect employees during an on-the-job injury.

Workers' compensation insurance is a legal requirement for companies with employees in most states. It covers medical costs and lost wages for workers injured or seriously ill due to their job duties. In addition, a reputable painting business should have commercial auto insurance for its vehicles. A quality contractor will provide proof of insurance and a written service warranty upon request or as part of a proposal. The contract should include details on labor and materials, expected completion date, start and end dates, and cost.

Equipment

Choosing the right equipment is key for commercial painting projects. Using the proper equipment helps ensure the paint job is completed correctly and efficiently and protects your investment long-term. Make sure to find out if the contractor has the necessary equipment in-house or if they will be hiring subcontractors for the project.

The contractor you choose should have a solid track record of working on commercial projects. This type of work requires specialized skills and equipment that most residential contractors still need to get. In addition, commercial painting projects are typically more complex and have tight deadlines. A company with experience working on commercial projects will be able to navigate these challenges more easily and offer better service.

Finally, you should determine if the contractor offers a warranty for their work. This is important because it shows that they stand by the quality of their work and are willing to back it up. A quality guarantee can give you peace of mind, knowing that if something goes wrong with your paint job, the contractor will fix it at no additional cost.

References

One of the best ways to determine a painting contractor's reputation is to check their references. Many reputable commercial painters will readily provide you with lists of clients who are happy with their work. You can also look online to uncover client reviews and testimonials.

Avoid contractors who don't have any references or only use relatives and friends as their customers. Additionally, ask the painter if they have any special offers or warranties for their services. A 1-year warranty is common and acceptable, but you should be suspicious if the painter offers anything longer than that.

When choosing a commercial painting contractor, you should also ensure that the estimates you receive are itemized and include details about what materials they will use for the job and their pricing structure. Often, less-reputable companies will underbid a project to get the job and then use cheap, low-quality materials that will only last for a short time. Choosing a company that will use high-quality materials that will last for years is important.