In 2019, the painting industry generated over $4.3 billion in revenue. While not all of it was from commercial painters, it’s still an in-demand business despite the uptick in online shopping. In fact, in the retail business, for every one store that closes, another 5.2 stores open. But if you want to attract and keep customers, you need to make sure your store is looking pristine and bright.
That’s why hiring commercial painters is so important. They can help you save time and money and even recommend other professional contractors.
If you’re looking advice on how to find and hire the best commercial painting company for your next project, keep reading. We’re sharing with you our fail-proof guide on how to select commercial painter contractors.
Ask Around for a Referral for Qualified Commercial Painters
If you own a brick-and-mortar store, chances are you know other business owners. If you know of a business who has recently had their office done, ask them for a referral.
If you see a store with a great paint job, ask them what company did the painting job for them. Always ask the person doing the referring to what they liked best and least about working with the commercial painting company.
Read Online Reviews
If you can’t get a first-hand referral then head to the internet to do some online searching yourself. Using keywords such as “commercial painter contractors near me” can help you immediately find a few nearby companies.
While you may notice a lot of brand name painting companies listed, it might make sense to go local. A local painting company is more invested in developing an ongoing relationship with you than a national chain will.
View Their Online Presence
A reputable painting company will have some sort of an online presence. Check out things such as their:
- Website
- Social media profiles
- Blog articles
- Better Business Burea accreditation
- Project portfolio/gallery
- Industry news updates
Check to see if there are online reviews and/or testimonials. You’ll get a better understanding of what to expect based on other people’s experiences.
Make Sure the Commercial Painter Contractors Are Licensed and Insured
While it might be tempting to try to save yourself a few bucks by hiring a guy who knows how to paint, it’s not a smart idea. There are reasons why state laws require painters to be properly licensed and carry insurance.
If the painter you hire decides not to show up to finish the job, you’re left having to hire someone else. This will cost you even more money.
No Refunds With Uninsured Painters
And if the painting job is lousy, you may end up having to hire someone to repaint everything all over again. You certainly won’t get a refund.
Always ask to see a copy of their business license and insurance certificate. This way, no matter what happens, you’re at least covered.
Determine What Your Requirements Are
Before you hire a painting company, find out what building requirements and/or codes you have to adhere to. You should also determine what vision you have for your space so that the painter can give you exactly what you want.
Also, you may need to find a painter who can also perform other duties such as:
- Creating graphics and signage
- Custom color matching and color coding
- Putting in water repellent epoxy for a locker room
It’s much easier to hire one company to perform various projects for you. Not only will it keep costs lower by bundling services, but it’s also easier to manage one company rather than many.
Interview a Few Painting Companies
While it may seem good enough to just hire the first company you come across, you’ll be happier with the results if you do a comparison. Find at least two or three companies that you like.
Then begin the elimination process by asking them a few questions about their business such as:
- How long have you been in business?
- How much do you typically charge for projects like mine?
- What other services do you provide?
- Do you do custom work jobs?
- What techniques and materials do you use?
- Do you outsource or is everything in-house?
These questions can help you understand if they’re the right company to handle the project you need to complete.
Get an Idea of How Working With Them Will Be
But don’t stop there. You want to get a general idea of what to expect when they’re working with you. Continue to ask questions such as:
- Do your employees have licenses, credentials and/or certifications? Which ones?
- How many workers will be assigned to the project?
- How do you plan to communicate with me? Whose contact information will be made available to me?
- What are the deadlines and how flexible or fixed are they?
You may also want to take a tour of their facilities or ask for references to ensure you like and feel comfortable with the painting company.
Watch for these Warning Signs
Always trust your gut instincts. If you get a feeling that a company is saying one thing but may deliver something entirely different, walk away.
Most companies will unknowingly give you a few red flags before you get started with them such as:
- Refusing to answer your questions
- Not providing you with references
- Not responding to complaints online or elsewhere
- Online reviews that mention slow service, inconsistent quotes, and missed deadlines
Remember that if a company starts off by not responding to your calls, there’s a good chance it will only get worse if you hire them.
Get a Free Estimate
Commercial painters should also be happy to provide you with a free estimate of the work. Make sure you find out what that estimate includes before you sign any contract.
We’re happy to provide free estimates to all our customers. And we offer a wide range of services.
We’re committed to creating happy customers one paint job at a time. Click here to get your free estimate.