Hiring a painter: the steps from first call to final walkthrough

The steps at a glance

If you only have a minute, this is the whole process. The sections below take each step in turn.

Start by deciding what you want painted

Before you call anyone, make a list. Which rooms, and what in them: walls only, or ceilings, trim, doors and closets too? Are there holes, cracks or stains to fix first? Are you making a big color change, like dark to light? Phone photos help, and so does a note of the color and sheen you're leaning toward.

DATCP's advice is the same: decide in advance what the job will involve, and bring sketches or pictures to show the painters. A clear list also means every painter quotes the same job, which is what makes the quotes comparable later.

If your home is older, say so up front. Plaster walls and old oil-based trim usually need more prep than newer drywall (our notes on painting older Madison homes explain why). The EPA also says homes built before 1978 are more likely to have lead-based paint, and its Renovation, Repair and Painting rule sets lead-safe work practices for paid work that disturbs painted surfaces in those homes. Mention your home's age when you call.

Find a few painters worth calling

Start with people you trust. Neighbors, friends, coworkers and your insurance agent have seen a painter's work and know how it went when something didn't go to plan. DATCP lists referrals from neighbors, friends and insurance agents as a good starting point, and it recommends an established local contractor over an unknown crew from out of state.

Then do a little homework. Ask each painter for the names of recent customers and call a couple of them. DATCP suggests asking whether the painter showed up on time, cleaned up afterward and followed through on what was promised, and whether they'd hire the painter again. You can also check for complaints with DATCP's Bureau of Consumer Protection and the Better Business Bureau.

Get two or three written quotes

One quote gives you a number. Two or three show you what's normal. Give every painter the same list so they're bidding on the same work, which DATCP also recommends.

Ask how each painter prices the job. Some quote by the room, some by the square foot, some by the hour. Ours is by the square footage of the space, paint included. What matters is that you can see what the number covers, and that a painter who has asked you nothing about the job isn't just guessing. Be wary of a number that arrives before anyone has asked a single question.

Ask the questions that show how they work

The quote tells you what you'll pay. The questions tell you how the painter works, and the answers are often more revealing than the price. Our guide to questions to ask a painter has the full list, with what a good answer sounds like. The short version:

• Who will do the work: the person quoting, a crew, or subcontractors?
• What prep is included, such as cleaning, patching, sanding and priming?
• Which paint will be used, and how many coats will the walls get?
• What does the painter's insurance cover, and can you see proof?
• How are changes, delays and problems after the job handled?
• What's the start date, and how long will the work take?

You're listening for specifics. A painter who explains the prep in plain words, names the paint and says what happens if something isn't right has done this many times before.

Read the quote for what it includes

Two quotes with different numbers are rarely quoting the same job. One may include ceilings, trim and primer while the other doesn't. Lay the quotes side by side and compare scope, prep, paint and coats before you look at the bottom line. Our guide to comparing painting quotes shows how, and what a painting estimate should include covers what to expect on the page.

A quote worth trusting reads like a plan. It names the rooms and surfaces, says what prep happens first, names the paint, gives a total and gives a start date. If you can't tell from the page what you're getting, ask the painter to add it.

DATCP's tips include being leery of an extremely low estimate. When one quote is far below the rest, ask what it leaves out. Sometimes the answer is fine. Sometimes it's the prep.

Confirm the insurance and get it all in writing

Ask for proof of insurance before work starts, not after. DATCP notes that you can ask any contractor for a certificate of insurance listing you as the certificate holder, which shows the contractor has an active policy and means you're told if it expires. We explain why it matters in why painter insurance matters.

Then get the rest in writing: the work, the materials, the price and the dates. DATCP says not to rely on oral agreements. Wisconsin's home improvement rules, which count painting as home improvement, also require a written contract whenever any payment is due before the work is finished.

Get ready, then walk the finished job

Before the start date, clear what you can and ask what the painter needs from you. Our guide to getting ready for painters covers what to move, what gets covered and how to plan around kids and pets.

When the work is done, walk it with the painter. Look at the walls in daylight, check the edges and corners, and point out anything that needs a second look while the painter is still there. DATCP advises never signing a completion certificate or making final payment until you're satisfied and the work is done as specified.

What hiring us looks like

It starts with a phone call about what you want done. George visits if he needs to see the space, then you get a written quote with a start date. The written quote is the price, no extra charge if the job takes longer than expected.

Floors and furniture are covered before any paint comes out, small holes are repaired, and we walk the finished rooms with you before we call it done. Most rooms take one to two days, and you can see how interior painting works with us. We paint homes and businesses across Madison and Dane County, including Madison itself. When you're ready, ask for a free estimate.