What to Do Before You Hire a Painter for Your Next Painting Project

If you're tired of staring at those boring cream walls, it may be time to amp up your space with some color. While painting your home's interior is a manageable job for even the most novice DIYers, there are plenty of good reasons to outsource the job to a professional painter. Hiring a local painter ensures your home gets an expert new paint job free from unsightly drips or patchy coats. Here's what to know before you pick up the phone to call a painting pro.

How to Find a Painting Contractor

Thinking of breaking out the yellow pages? Not so fast. There are plenty of better ways to find a reliable contractor. You can ask family and friends for recommendations, get referrals from paint stores, or use Angi to find a vetted professional interior painter near you. You can even reach out to trusted contractors or other construction professionals to see if they can recommend any peers.

Before Hiring a Painter

Before hiring a painter, prepare by planning your project, checking references, and completing a consultation.

1. Plan Your Painting Project for Accurate Quotes

Trying to find painting contractors on a budget? Planning your project ahead of time can ensure you receive the most accurate quotes. Some components to consider during the planning stage include:

• Square feet to paint: How big is your project? The area’s square footage can have a big impact on cost.

• Type of project: Whether you’re just looking to touch up your exterior trim or you want to revamp your house’s color palette, decide what project you’re interested in.

• Quality of paint: Whether you’re splurging for the highest quality paint or are okay with the standard stuff, decide before you hire a painter. But know that opting for low-quality paint is a painting mistake to avoid—and it might cost you more in the long term.

• Interior painting vs. exterior painting: Does your home’s exterior need a facelift? Or are you looking to brighten up your home’s interior? Decide what type of painting services you need before contacting a professional and doing any prep work.

Before you hire a painter, plan to compare quotes from at least three different painting professionals. Discuss your project with each contractor, determine what goes into their pricing model, and understand that different projects can have very different costs. For example, the average cost to paint a bedroom is only around $500, while the cost to paint an entire house will be much higher.

2. Check Your Painting Contractor’s Qualifications and References

You should check contractors' qualifications and references to ensure they’re a good fit. A great way to scout out potential painters is to talk to people they’ve worked with. If possible, visit past projects to see the work yourself. Look for insured painters and, if you live in an area where it’s required, licensed. If you can’t visit past paint jobs in person, you can also look online for reviews of interior painters near you.

3. Questions to Ask Your Painting Contractor

Come prepared with a list of questions to ask potential painters. Some questions you should consider asking include:

• How long have you been in business? Look for an established painter with a long business history.

• Do you have a portfolio of past work? Looking at past work can help you decide whether the painter will meet your needs.

• Are you licensed and insured? You can ask for an "insurance declaration" page summarizing their coverage. 

• What kind of paint do you use? Contractors may provide their own paint, but you should ensure it’s up to snuff.

• How long will it take to complete the project? Get a rough estimate of how long the job will take.

• Do you guarantee your work? All reputable painters guarantee their work.

• What are your procedures? Be sure to ask about a contractor’s procedures, including whether or not you can be at home during the process.

• Are there any extra costs? Removing heavy furniture may cost extra, as well as painting crown molding, baseboards, or very tall walls or ceilings.

• What are your payment expectations? Ask if they accept your preferred payment option or offer a payment plan.

4. Get Your Estimates in Writing 

Always ask for a written estimate and contract to plan a budget and avoid surprises. Never work with a contractor who is unwilling to put your agreement in writing. Get at least three estimates and ask pros to break down the pricing into materials, labor, and paint. 

In addition to comparing the overall quote from different pros, consider details like their labor rate, level of experience, and estimated project timeline. Ask about which type and brand of paint they plan to use, how many coats of paint they will apply, and if there are extra costs.

Hiring Your Painting Contractor

Ready to give your home the stylish makeover of your dreams? In the hands of a qualified professional, a shiny new paint job can do wonders for your home. Once you find a painter, you should sign a contract and arrange payment. It’s important to keep records concerning the project and know your rights to avoid scams.

1. Get a Contract and Arrange Payments With Your Painter

It’s very important to get a signed contract that documents your agreement. A painting contract should feature information including:

• The terms of the project

• The down payment amount

• The payment structure

• The final payoff terms

2. Obtain a Copy of the Painter’s Key Information

When starting a painting project, collect some key information about the painting pro beforehand. Plan on getting the basics, like their name, address, and phone number. Don’t forget to ask for their license number (if applicable), proof of liability insurance, and worker’s comp insurance. Having these credentials up front will come in handy in case of any complications. 

3. Keep Records of Your Painting Project

There are a few things to keep track of as your painter completes the job. These include what hours the painter works, progress made, and whether or not they’re on schedule. Keeping accurate records can help ensure the project is progressing as planned.

What to Expect From Your Painter

When you've found a painter you want to work with, they will likely want to come to your home before starting the job to give you a thorough painting estimate. The contractor will assess the rooms by reviewing the square footage and checking for imperfections that need attention. They will learn about your expectations for the job and create a plan for the required supplies.

Once you've decided on a timeline, the painter will work quickly and efficiently to get the job done. They will likely provide you with a schedule so you are fully aware of the plan as well. Once the job is complete, they will do a walk-through with you to see the results. Together, you can check if any touch-ups are required. The painter will handle any post-project cleaning. This includes disposing of excess paint, removing painter's tape, and removing any plastic or drop cloth covering the floor or furniture. 

What to Do Before Painters Come

To help reduce the cost of labor and prepare the house for painting, you can do a few simple things before your painter's arrival. Remove any items from the room, such as small furniture. If there are pieces of furniture too large to remove, see if you can slide the furniture into the middle of the room.

You can also remove any outlet covers and switch plates. Shut off the power source first for safety. If you don't plan on replacing these, keep everything together to make affixing them back easier.

If you have pets in the home, it's best to remove them so they don't get in the way once work gets underway. If you can, have a neighbor or friend take them while the painters do their job. For dogs, you may be able to find a local kennel that can house them during the project.

After Your Painter Has Finished

At this point, you should be the proud owner of a freshly painted home! Whether you opt for sophisticated neutrals or bright, bold colors, a new paint job can transform your home’s appearance and help you make the space your own.

After your painter has finished, you must make the final payment. If you’re satisfied with their services, consider leaving a positive review online. You can also agree to serve as a reference for future clients.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro Painter

Painting a room is a reasonable DIY task for handy homeowners to tackle, and many choose this route to save on the cost of labor, bringing the total cost of the project down. So, how do you know if you should DIY painting or hire a painter instead?

Time

A professional painter will complete a paint job much quicker than the average homeowner. A painter is hired to complete the project and has the time to dedicate to the job. If you choose to DIY the job, you have to fit it around your schedule. Usually, this means spending the weekend taking care of it or taking a few days off of work to get it done. You won’t work as quickly as a pro, either. 

Quality

Painters have advanced skill sets to complete a paint job. Even if you hire a general contractor instead of a designated painting contractor, they still have the high-level skill to paint a room. When you find the right contractor, the work quality may be better than doing the job yourself. Homeowners who choose to DIY painting can still produce quality work, especially if they know the painting pitfalls to watch out for, but the process may take longer compared with that of a professional.

Speed

Painters have an intimate knowledge of painting households, a skill that empowers them to complete jobs quickly. They know how to set up strategic timelines to fix walls, paint multiple rooms, and apply additional coats. This practice enables them to finish a job speedily. When painting isn't a project you take on often as a homeowner, trying to work quickly could be more detrimental than beneficial. 

Safety

Painting a room comes with some risk for homeowners, especially if you have rooms with high ceilings. You face a safety risk whenever you have to climb a ladder, which only increases when working on a project requiring attention to detail. While that is still a risk for a painter, they have plenty of practice working under such conditions and are equipped with the tools and knowledge to maintain a safe working environment.

Cost

The cost of interior house painting is a major factor when considering if you want to outsource or DIY it. The cost of labor is the biggest consideration, as the average cost to hire a painter is about $20 to $50 per hour. Choosing to do the job yourself can save you hundreds of dollars. On the other hand, there are some cost benefits to using a contractor. Some contractors can purchase supplies at a discounted rate, which may balance out the cost of labor.

Kate Fann and Margaret Wack contributed to this article.