A good paint job lasts for years. A bad one starts peeling the next summer, and by then the contractor can be hard to reach. The difference usually shows up before any paint is opened: in how a contractor answers a few simple questions.
Here are the five we’d ask if we were hiring a painter ourselves, what a good answer sounds like, and how we answer them.
1. How long have you been in business?
Experience matters most in the part of the job you never see: prep. A contractor who has been painting for years has seen how paint fails on Atlanta homes and knows what it takes to prevent it.
A good answer is specific: who started the business, when, and who runs it today.
Our answer: Sam has painted Atlanta homes since 1985, and Masom joined the family business in 2003. Sam, Raffi, and Rabee give every estimate and manage every project.
2. Are you a franchise or locally owned?
There’s nothing wrong with a franchise, but it helps to know who you’re really hiring. With a local, owner-run company, the person who quotes your job is usually the person who answers for it.
Our answer: Family and locally owned and operated. No middlemen: a family member gives your estimate and manages your project.
3. Are you insured?
This is the question that protects you. If an uninsured painter is hurt on your property, or damages it, sorting out the cost can land on you.
Ask for proof, and expect to get it without a fuss. A contractor should carry both liability coverage and workers’ compensation.
Our answer: Fully insured: liability and workers' compensation coverage on every job; proof provided on request.
4. What paint and products do you use?
Two estimates can look alike until you compare what’s going on your walls. Premium paint covers better, holds its color longer, and stands up to washing; cheap paint can turn a good price into a repaint a few years later.
A good contractor names the brand and product line, and explains why it suits your surface.
Our answer: We mostly use Sherwin-Williams, along with Benjamin Moore and, less often, BEHR. We can match any color from any brand, and we’re happy to use a specific product you have in mind.
5. Do you charge any financing or credit card fees?
Some contractors add a fee for paying by card, or bury fees in their financing. Ask up front, so the price you’re quoted is the price you pay.
Our answer: No credit card fees, ever. Financing is available through Wisetack; see Financing for the details.
What a good estimate looks like
The estimate itself tells you a lot. A good one includes:
A detailed written scope: every surface, the prep, the number of coats, and the products.
Clear payment terms: when deposits are due and when the balance is due.
The warranty in writing, with what it covers and for how long.
Here’s what you get from us:
A family member on every estimate.
No hidden costs: labor, paint, materials, and taxes are included unless the scope says otherwise.
Proposals are valid for 90 days.
Red flags
No proof of insurance, or excuses about sending it later.
A one-line price with no written scope.
A big payment before any work starts. No deposit on residential projects under $8,000, and our deposits are invoiced on the first day of work, never before.
Pressure to sign today. A fair price is still fair next week.
