Hiring a Painter, By Stu Silverman

Because anyone with a paintbrush and a ladder can call themselves a painter, when it comes to hiring someone to paint or stain your home or deck, you need to take extra precautions. You want to trust your home – and its contents – to a contractor who has the skill and experience to do the job properly, and without damaging your carpets or other belongings. Also, because a fresh coat of paint usually looks great, it's not always so easy to tell if a job has been done properly.

Check older references

With painters it is especially important to check references. Because much of the work will be done when you're not around, there's no way to know after the fact if, for example, the entire surface was primed or even how many coats of paint were applied. The important thing when checking references is to make sure you get a reference from a job done several years ago, because the true test of a quality paint job is how it stands up over time – especially outdoors.

A picture is not worth 1,000 words

Don't simply rely on photos taken by the painter, as they will all be from freshly painted jobs, and they're usually taken from a distance, making it impossible to see wobbly cut lines, drips and brush marks. Go inspect their work, looking for any peeling, flaking or cracking, and evidence of spilled paint, platter or overspray.

Make sure you get a reference from a job done several years ago, because the true test of a quality paint job is how it stands up over time.

Ask your references whether their landscaping (for outdoor work) or personal belongings were damaged during the paint job. Did the painter stick to the budget and time schedule? And be sure to ask the key question: would you hire this painter again?

Protect yourself – put details in the contract

When it comes to the contract, be specific. More than just stating the rooms or surfaces to be painted and the price, the contract should include details about prep and application methods, the materials to be used, how the site will be protected and cleaned up, as well as the time and payment schedules. It is also a good idea to inspect the job site with the painter before the job starts, making note of all pre-existing damage, especially for outdoor work. Record all existing paint spills, cracked window panes and ripped screens to avoid disagreements about what damage existed before the job started and any new damage.

Proper prep makes all the difference

For outdoor work, proper prep makes the difference between a paint job that will last versus peeling and flaking. For wood siding, include in the contract that the house will be power-washed with a bleach or TSP mixture and that siding will be disk-sanded and then feathered for smoothness. State that all gaps will be filled with caulking, and that the entire surface will be primed using a slow-drying primer. Also, ensure that oil-based surfaces will be primed before painting, especially when covering with latex paint.

For inside work, the painter should ensure that all drywall joints are smooth, fix damaged walls, fill nail holes and seal knots in wood trim, and prime with a slow-drying primer. If you require woodwork to be sanded between finish coats, be sure to stipulate that in the contract.

Brush or spray?

How will the paint be applied? The contract should state that for exterior work the primer is applied with a brush. For topcoats, either spraying or brushing is fine – as long as the painter is experienced with a sprayer and providing proper overspray protection. One thing to consider is that spraying uses more paint.

Specify in the contract how much time will be allowed for drying. In the interest of speeding up the job, some painters will apply a second coat before the previous one is dry. It is best to leave at least a day between each coat. And make sure you specify which paint will be used – including the manufacturer's name, the grade of paint and the color, gloss and base. Painters may recommend a paint that they get at a good price, but it is your prerogative to use the paint you prefer to get a quality finish.

Insist that they use protection

Although it should be standard procedure for painters to protect the area they're working in with drop cloths or paper and masking tape, it doesn't hurt to stipulate this in the contract – especially for outdoor painting or staining projects. And specify that the site be returned to its original condition upon completion of the project, including an agreement of who will clean the windows.

Recommended payment schedule

It is recommended that you never give a painter more than 10% of the total cost up front. Then give a third of the remaining cost on the first day of work, another third at a specified point halfway through (e.g. after the prep work is complete and primer is applied), and the final third after the final cleanup has been done and you've inspected and approved the work.

Whether you're painting or staining the interior or exterior of your home, the deck, fence, patio or porch, it is a good idea to put as many details into the contract as you can. Hopefully these tips will help your paint job go smoothly. And before hiring any contractor, review these more general hiring tips for best results. Good luck!