Learning how to choose a painting contractor for your home can be an overwhelming task, especially if you’ve never hired anyone for a residential painting project before. Maybe the most important question you can ask yourself during this process is, “Who do I trust to provide me with a quality job and give me the best value for my money?”
Let’s face it, painters don’t exactly have the best reputation, to begin with, and the last thing you want to do is to get ripped-off by some guy wearing white pants.
You want to be an educated consumer. So where do you start? What do you look for? What do you look out for? Keep reading to learn our top tips and questions to ask for choosing the best house painter in the Pittsburgh area. Plus get our full selection checklist to ensure your project goes smoothly!
Our Top 8 Tips for Choosing the Right Painting Contractor
#1: Explore Your Options
There’s no shortage of resources available to you when you’re trying to locate prospective painting contractors, but there’s also no guarantee that any of the random names you’ll find while searching the web or browsing through the phone book will be reputable contractors.
I know what you’re thinking……“Who uses the phone book?” But my point is that you need to know where your best resources are if you’re going to start the process off on the right foot.
The best places to start when choosing a painting contractor are:
- Referrals from a friend or family member
- Your local Better Business Bureau website
- The Painting & Decorating Contractors of America’s Find-A-Painter website
- Reputable online review sites like Angie’s List
Generally speaking, the highly reviewed contractors you’ll find on these websites tend to be more quality-conscious and are more concerned with exceeding their customers’ expectations.
See the Annual Homeowner Survey on the BBB's website that shows contractor referral sources ranked by consumer trust.
#2: Get Multiple Bids
After you’ve selected a few companies that have piqued your interest it’s time to get bids. It’s always a good idea to get multiple bids for comparison purposes. Avoid the temptation of choosing a prospect simply because they have the lowest bid price, as that is by far the most dangerous way of selecting a contractor. But a little healthy competition never hurts anyone and it helps to keep prices at a reasonable level.
A good rule of thumb is to collect three bids before making your decision. Now, you may have to contact more than three companies in order to get your three bids because some of them may be backlogged with work and, unfortunately, some of them are just not very good at returning phone calls or emails.
#3: Interview the Candidates: Top Questions to Ask a House Painter
One of the biggest reasons why people end up dissatisfied with their contractors is that they didn’t know the right questions to ask before they made their decision. When you meet with your contracting candidates you should treat it as a job interview.
They are literally interviewing for your job so don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. The time to find out information about your contractor is before you hire them, not after.
- Do you provide free estimates?
Most honest painting companies and contractors do not charge a fee to provide you with an estimate on your project. Some contractors offer a color consultation in conjunction with your estimate for a fee if you are having some difficulty deciding what colors to choose.
- Do you have any references?
Reading customer reviews on Google can be misleading and lack detailed feedback of a painter’s work. If the company has done business in your area, ask if those customers left reviews and where you can read them. You may also look up verified reviews on websites like Angi and Home Advisor.
- Is your company a member of the Better Business Bureau or trade organizations?
Painting contractors who are members of trade organizations, like BBB.org, are required to hold a certain level of customer satisfaction, and maintain minimum professional requirements. Their active memberships to trade organizations demonstrate they meet those professional standards.
- How long have you been in business and how many residential painting projects do you do a year?
Every company has to start somewhere, but it is important to determine if you are willing to risk hiring an inexperienced company that might not even specialize in residential painting. Though they might have more competitive rates, newer companies won’t have reviews or references to cross check. They might be so new, they don’t qualify for memberships with trade organizations.
- What materials do you use?
From paint, to brushes, and sprayers, ask the company what brands and tools they use. The highest quality paints allow the contractor to extend their professional warranty and save you money over time by not having to repaint faded or cracked areas. - What sort of prep work is involved?
Run from any painters who plan to walk in, paint, then leave. Prep work is essential to a long lasting finish and is required if any warranty is offered. If your home is not prepared properly before the painting takes place, you’ll be repainting with a professional within the year to fix all the mistakes.
- Who will be working on my project?
Are they employees or subcontractors? Be sure the people you hire to paint your home are the ones actually painting it. Many companies subcontract labor. These workers are not required to be insured or even background checked. For your peace of mind, make sure you know who will be working in and around your home. Require the contractor to have each worker background checked and be drug screened. Or only choose a company who hires their crew as employees and each person is fully insured.
- Who would be my main point of contact and when are they available?
Is the company’s owner your point of contact? Are they also the foreman for your project? It might be hard to stay in consistent communication with a one-man-show.
- Do you have a safety program or training for employees?
You only want to hire a painting company who is compliant with OSHA safety standards and whose employees are knowledgeable about the same. If the crew is made up of subcontractors, the company cannot guarantee they’ve had any safety training.
- What are your professional quality standards?
Did you know that there are industry wide painting standards set by Painting Contractors Association? A reputable company sites these requirements and holds them as a daily standard to measure their work. They don’t just do a “good enough” job. They take pride in providing the highest quality work performed in the most professional manner.
- How long is your warranty and what does/ doesn’t it cover?
A two-year warranty is standard on workmanship and differs between each company. Be sure to read the company’s warranty closely to understand what would be needed to maintain or request corrections under the warranty after the job is complete. If they do not offer a warranty, they are not obligated to correct any mistakes. - Are you insured?
Can you provide proof of insurance? Without proper insurances, you could be at a loss if something goes wrong on your painting project. Not to mention, you could be held liable if a worker is injured in your home. Ensure the company you hire carries a general liability insurance of at least $1 million and worker’s compensation insurance which is required in most states.
- What are your payment terms?
Do you require an upfront deposit? Smaller companies without excess capital might require a deposit to secure scheduling and purchase needed materials, which is very common. Other companies can request payment after the work is complete so you can be sure you have received what you’ve paid for. Know the payment terms before signing a contract.
#4: Check References
Your final act of due diligence in choosing a painting contractor is to check their references. Any contractor worth their salt will have a complete list of references they will provide you with so you can check out their work for yourself.
Now you can choose with confidence.
#5: Pay It Forward
Now that your project turned out exactly the way you envisioned it would…Pay It Forward. Help your neighbors out by posting a rave online review of your experience, or agreeing to serve as a reference for the next person who's needing help choosing a painting contractor for their project.
#6: Use A Contract
One of the best ways to avoid getting taken to the cleaners when working with a contractor is to use a job contract which includes a detailed scope of work that outlines exactly what work will be performed.
#7: Don’t Just Pick the Cheapest Contractor
If you're getting multiple bids for the main purpose of finding the cheapest contractor to complete your painting project, you're probably going to get exactly what you pay for. The competitive bidding process exists to help you find the best fit for your project (quality of work, warranty, turn-around time, good communication, etc.) not just the cheapest bid.
Who are the Best House Painters in Pittsburgh?
- ImageWorks Painting
- Markantone Painting
- ColorWorks Painting
- FreshCoat Painting
- CertaPro
- Prestige Painting
- Bombadier Painting
When it comes to hiring a painting company, it’s important to look beyond just the price and the person giving the quote. The reality is, painting companies come and go—especially the newer ones. In fact, many painting businesses that have been around for less than 10 years have a high chance (over 90%) of not being in business just five years down the line.
That’s why we always recommend choosing an established, reputable company with a solid track record. Longevity often speaks to reliability, quality, and good business practices.
One of the best tips we can give about selecting the best house painter is to make sure the company provides a valid Certificate of Insurance (COI). Don’t just look for general liability coverage—verify that they also carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance. This protects you in case a worker gets injured on your property. No matter how friendly or trustworthy the estimator may seem, if the company doesn’t carry Worker’s Comp, it’s simply not worth the risk of having them in your home.
#8: Make Sure You’re Ready To Paint
Have your colors ready and your workspace prepared. Choosing colors can be confusing and time-consuming; and it's not uncommon for it to hold up the start of a job. If you're an able-bodied homeowner who happens to have a lot of furnishings in an interior workspace that needs to be cleared, you may be able to save yourself some money by removing items from the rooms to be painted before the workers arrive.
Quality painting services can and should come at a reasonable price, but fly-by-night painters are everywhere and they'll try to entice you with a lowball number. Don't fall for it. ALL PAINT JOBS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL! Don't be the low-price-shopper who gets what they pay for and then wonders why. You're better off to do it yourself then to help support illegitimate contractors by giving them business.
Download Our FREE Checklist to Help You Hire the Best Painter for Your House
To be certain you’re asking the right questions, you can download a copy of our free guide on selecting the best painting contractor for your project. It includes tips and tricks, great interview questions and more!
How to Find the Best Painting Contractors in Your Area
There are many good sources of information that you can utilize to help you find licensed, reputable painting companies in your area.
- Friends & Family Referrals
- Homeowners' Association Clubhouse Referrals
- Homeowners' Association Magazines
- Better Business Bureau
- Angie's List
- Google Listings
- Yelp!
- Local Home & Garden Shows
- PDCA's Find-A-Painter
- ... to name a few
Wrapping Up: Use These Tips to Find the Best Painting Contractor for Your Project
Selecting the right painting contractor for your home is a crucial step in ensuring that your project is completed successfully and to your satisfaction. Finding the best house painter in Pittsburgh is no different! By following a structured approach, you can significantly increase your chances of finding a contractor who is not only skilled and experienced but also trustworthy and reliable. Seek recommendations from friends, family, and online reviews to create a shortlist of potential contractors. Ensure that you verify their credentials, including licenses and insurance. Obtain multiple bids to compare prices and services, but remember that the lowest bid is not always the best option. Focus on the value and quality of work each contractor promises and always have a detailed contract that outlines the scope of work, timeline, and payment schedule to avoid any misunderstandings.
Hopefully this guide explains everything you need to know about how to choose the best painting contractor in the Pittsburgh area. Always feel free to reach out to us with any questions!
Contact the Pros
Ready to get started with your next painting project but unsure if it is in your budget? Reach out to the expert painting team at ImageWorks Painting to schedule a free consultation today. Give us a call at 724-898-2446, or request a visit online.