Avoid This Lincoln Park Chicago Painter at All Costs
Repainting the exterior or interior of your home is one of the best ways to give it a fresh new look. However, doing the work yourself is easier said than done – and the results may be less than optimal. After all, you’re not a professional painter, and it can be tricky to get things just the way you want them without the right experience, skills and tools.
If you want to improve the value and appearance of your Lincoln Park Chicago home with new exterior or interior paint, hiring qualified, professional house painters is the way to go. However, finding reputable house painters can be an uphill battle. Unfortunately, there are many fly-by-night contractors out there who may leave your home looking worse than it did in the first place.
By understanding common red flags of less-than-reputable painting contractors, you can avoid headaches and ensure spectacular results for your investment.
Six Red Flags to Watch Out for When Seeking House Painters in Lincoln Park Chicago
As you search for qualified house painting contractors, beware of the following red flags:
1. No Detailed Estimate or Contract
Reputable house painters will be more than willing to provide you with a detailed estimate or contract before starting the job. Some contractors offer this as a matter of course while others generally strike verbal agreements with clients. Even if a contractor doesn’t offer one voluntarily, they should be happy to provide one upon request. The document should cover the scope of the job, including the areas they will paint, the products they will use and the total price.
Fine Painting offers free, detailed estimates so that you can count on us for transparency from the very start.
2. No Proof of Insurance
The right house painting contractor will carry valid insurance to protect themselves and their customers. It’s easy for a contractor to say they are adequately insured, but they should go a step further and provide actual proof of coverage. If they don’t do so voluntarily, they should be more than willing to upon request. If a contractor hems and haws about this, consider it a red flag and look elsewhere.
Our company is fully insured and will provide you with proof of coverage for your peace of mind.
3. Suspicious Payment Requirements
Like many contractors, house painters often collect a deposit upfront to protect themselves from unscrupulous customers who may refuse to pay them when the work is done. This deposit is also typically used to cover the costs of materials needed to complete the work. You can expect to pay a deposit of up to 50% of the total cost of the work. If the contractor asks you for more, or if they only accept cash, it could be a warning sign. Reputable contractors accept cash, checks and, in some cases, credit cards.
When you hire us for your interior or exterior painting needs, you’ll enjoy flexible payment options and transparency about any upfront deposits that may be required.
4. Little or No Experience
Sure, it’s nice to give the new guy a chance. However, when looking to upgrade your home with professional interior and exterior painting services, it’s generally best to choose house painters with a proven track record and an experienced crew.
Our painting company has many years of experience, and we thoroughly vet and screen all of our house painters to ensure optimal results every time.
5. No Reviews or References
One of the best ways to determine whether or not house painters will do a good job is by seeing what past customers have to say about them. Any company you consider should have at least a few online reviews that can clue you in about their quality and customer service. If not, they should be able to provide you with a list of references from previous customers. If you check for reviews and references and only hear crickets in response, move on to greener pastures.
We have an extensive track record of satisfied customers, including online reviews and lists of references available upon request.
6. Low-Quality Products
As long as a contractor uses quality paints and products, a professional paint job should keep looking fantastic for years to come. Unfortunately, many contractors skimp in this area, relying on cheap paints that produce less-than-stellar results.
Reputable home painting contractors prefer using quality paints, so always ask about the products they use. Our painting company uses Sherwin-Williams and Porter Paints products, whose lineups include various types of paint suitable for an array of situations. When you hire us, we’ll tell you which brand and type we’re going to use and why we’re going to use it.
Ready to Refresh Your House? We’re Here to Help There are tons of options for professional home painting services in Lincoln Park Chicago, but many miss the mark in terms of quality, professionalism, customer service and results. Instead of leaving things to chance, turn to the experts at Fine Painting. Contact us today to schedule a consultation regarding your house painting needs.