How to choose a Painting Contractor

They will offer the customer a well written detailed estimate explaining exactly what type of preparation and materials will be used on your project. It is very important to ask the contractor if the price that is list will change? Many contractors will constantly book for anything to increase their bid after the job has started.
They will Not need to ask for any money down to pay for materials to start the job. Any qualified contractor will have charge accounts with their suppliers. If the contractor has to ask for money for products you can bet they will try and draw more money out of you than the amount of work they have completed. With most jobs lasting only a few days we only ask for payment when the job is complete and the homeowner has walked the job and given their approval.
They will have both liability insurance and workers compensation. Insurance protects not only the contractor, but more importantly protects the homeowner.
Look for the contractor in local phone books. Contractors who advertise in the phone book have made a commitment to the area and ane more than likely going to be there if there ever is a problem or warranty work is needed.
Call your local Sherwin-Williams store and ask about the contractor. Sherwin-Williams' has stores in most every town and knows who uses quality products and uses the proper preparation for the type of products being used.
They should be a member of some sort of painting or business association that holds the company accountable for quality craftsman ship and proper business ethics. For example: We are members of the PDCA (Painting and Decorating Contractors of America) and have agreed to abide by the performance standards and code of ethics that the PACA promotes. These associations are not cheap and the price alone will deter non-professional contractors from joining.
Ask for a minimum of 5 references.
Quality contractors will always have work lined up and probably will not be able to start right away.
If the bid you receive sounds to good to be true, it probably isn't. Make sure you compare the different bids carefully. Usually the difference in price is in the number of coats, quality of the products, type of preparation or it can be as simple as not including the same scope of work. Questions about your bid should always be welcomed and encouraged.
Checkout the companies website, usually it will have examples of before and after photos of multiple jobs they have completed recently.