Six Tips to Finding a Good House Painter

Use these points as a guideline when selecting the painter you want to employ for your home or office.

1. When you first contacted the painting company, were they prompt and and efficient in responding to your request?

Some of my clients have expressed dismay at inviting three or four painters to give a quotation and having not one turn up at the agreed time. Reliability at this beginning stage is critical. If your painter turns up on time to this appointment it is highly likely they will continue to be reliable throughout the job. Our company's motto is "Courtesy and Reliability go hand in hand,' and we often get the job because of the way we conducted ourselves from the start.

2. Did they turn up on time and what was the condition of the company vehicle?

Simple points indicating the quality and professionalism you might expect. Turning up on time shows they respect you and your time and the condition of the vehicle shows pride in themselves and theit company. Both are often good indicators of the quality of their workmanship.

3. Are they offering a typewritten quotation on a professional letterhead, setting out the specifications they intend to follow if selected to do your work?

Too many times you hear of people accepting a hand written quote scribbled on a torn off sheet of note paper or, worse still, a verbal quote. No specification, no reference to the number of coats or type of paint to be used. Yet these people often get the work, usually because the price is cheap, but sometimes out of fear or intimidation. Too often, when this happens and nothing is in writing, there is a dispute and the home owner is left with a half or shoddily finished job and no recourse to have it remedied.

4. Is the painter or company a member of a trade association?

One of the main advantages of selecting painters from the likes of The Master Painters or Painting Contractors Associations is that they are held accountable by their association and you, as the client, do have some come back if things go wrong. Don't get me wrong, there are many fine painters who, for their own reasons, choose not to join such a group. But you do need to protect yourself from bad workmanship or generally being ripped off and proof of membership to a professional trade association is one way of doing this.

5.Where did you find the painter or company who is to provide your quotation? In the local paper in the classified ads? The yellow pages, or perhaps the Internet? Or was it a referral from someone you know?

Anyone can pick up a paint brush and run a local advert, and many do. But those who invest in long term advertising like the yellow pages or their own website are generally serious about their business and, consequently, have invested substantial money into them. As a painting contractor with a website and Yello Page advertising my favorite is still referrals. I love it when people call and say we have been referred by so and so. It shows that person has been pleased enough with our service and workmanship to pass it on to others. So take note of what people say about the tradespeople they have used. It could be the difference between getting a great or a miserable job done.

6. When reviewing the quotations do you go for the lowest price?

There may be a wide price difference in the quotes you receive. Look closely at what's being offered. Is one price quite a bit higher than the others? How well is it presented? Does it itemise what you are paying for? Does it offer a guarantee of any kind? Do they allow a period for remedial work? Perhaps they are more expensive because they have included the waterblasting in the price. Maybe they have incorporated the scaffolding also. A cheaper quote may not include these items but may not state so. When reviewing your quotes remember your gut feeling at the original meeting. Pick up the phone and ask about anything you are unsure of. And make sure you get it in writing. A professional operator will be happy to send a revised quote detailing the things you have discussed and including anything that has been missed - and, to be fair, adjusting the price if you are asking for something extra they had not included.

Mike Smith, Director. North South Interiors Ltd

Painters and Decorators.

Mike is a past president of a local city painting contractors' association and was a board member of the Auckland Painting Contractors' Association for a number of years. He was first registered as a Master Painter in 1985. Mike acts as a Consultant and Project Manager as well as running his own company. He prides himself on meeting deadlines, giving value for money, and having a large data base of satisfied customers, many of whom refer him to others and return to him for all their painting needs and advice.

visit http://www.north-south.co.nz