• Shop Around
• State your expectations.
• Get your estimate in writing
• Check past references
• Consider credentials.
• Obtain a complete contract
• Cover yourself
• Ask for a guarantee
• Holdback until completion
• Full list below

• Request estimates from at least three different house painters for your job. Not sure where to find them? Ask your friends and family for references.  
  
  
• Pay attention to how much time each house painter takes to assess the condition of your home. The longer the house painter takes, the more realistic an estimate you’ll get. Even an experienced house painter will need more than a quick walk around your house to get a good feel for the scope of the project.
  
  
• Ask potential house painters about the size and experience of their crew.

• Provide accurate details. The number of paint coats a house painter applies isn’t the only factor in determining the quality—and price—of the project. Preparation is also key.
  
  
• If you want the house painters to smooth out the bumps from past paint jobs, tell them — and be prepared to pay extra.
  
  
• Even if you think you can live with some imperfections, agree on what level of preparation is acceptable and what isn’t.

Get your estimate in writing

• Ask each house painter to provide a written estimate. The estimate should include:
  
• A breakdown of labour
• Material costs
• The number of primer and paint coats
• The brand and model of paints
• A detailed description of the amount of surface preparation that will be done

Check references and past work.

• Get a list of references from each house painter, and then call a few of them to find out about their experience with the painter. A history of positive references is a good sign.
  
  
• If possible, examine jobs they completed recently as well as ones they completed years ago.
  
  
• The newer jobs will show you the skill of their current crew, while the older jobs will show how their work holds up over time

Consider credentials.

• Membership in a trade or local business group, for example, isn’t a guarantee of quality work, but it does show a level of commitment and reliability.
• Also check with the Better Business Bureau or a local consumer affairs agency to learn whether the house painter has a history of unresolved complaints.

Once you've chosen your house painter, it's time to get down to the details and get started! The home of your dreams is almost here!

• Obtain a complete contract.
  The contract should include whatever details were in the estimate and all of the house painter’s key information: name, address, office and cell phone numbers, and business license number. Make sure the contract clearly states what is and is not included in the job. You may want to contact the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for a sample renovation contract.

• Cover yourself.
  Get a copy of the house painter’s liability and workers’ compensation insurance certificates. If the house painter doesn’t have coverage, you could be on the hook if a crew member drops a ladder on your neighbour’s car or gets hurt on the job.

• Ask for a guarantee.
  The house painter should promise to correct any chipping, peeling, blistering, flaking, or excessive fading or chalking that occurs within two years after the job is done, at little or no cost. If the house painter tells you the paint itself has a warranty, keep in mind that a material warranty doesn’t include labour, which is far more expensive than the materials.

• Make payment arrangements.
  Resist making a large down payment and withhold the final payment, typically 10 to 15 percent, until you are fully satisfied with the job. Work with your house painter to reach a payment agreement you are both comfortable with.

• Holdback until completion.
  Never sign a certification of completion or pay in full until the work is actually complete. It is common to hold back a portion of payment for work that needs to be completed or corrected. Sometimes work has to be put on hold because of weather or until specialized materials are available.

• Look for lead.
  If your home was built before 1978, older coats of paint could contain harmful amounts of lead. In that case, the house painter might need to take extra precautions to avoid any hazards.

• Choose your paint colours.
  House painters might try to talk you into a paint finish or brand they prefer, but you’re free to use the resources and paint colours you choose. Visit Colours to Maple to see our vast selection of interior paints and exterior paints and stains, and refer to our Ratings listing (available to subscribers) to find top performers. You can also save yourself time and effort by taking advantage of our in-home consultation services.

To take the guesswork out of a hiring a contractor you can trust, why not ask our expert staff at Colours of Maple for a referral? Our qualified house painting contractors can provide a free estimate for your home painting project. To get started, please fill in the request form below.

We look forward to providing you with the paint that will change the way you see colour!

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