There are certain home improvement projects, like electrical work, plumbing, or HVAC installation, where you’d naturally turn to a pro. But others, such as painting, seem like a no-brainer for a DIY project. After all, everyone knows how to roll paint on a wall, right? However, painting, like any other craft, can be more complex. It comes with its own equipment, specialized knowledge and skill set. Hiring a painter can help ensure you get the best and longest-lasting results for your paint job. So when you’re starting your next painting project, it may be worth hiring a paint contractor to help with the project. Read on to find out how to hire a paint contractor.
What Is a Painting Contractor, Anyway? And What Do They Do?
Professional painting contractors are painters who work for a general contractor or are hired directly by a homeowner. Painting contractors are usually small outfits, ranging from the solo painting pro to the small company of 15-20 painters. They mainly focus on painting, but some specialize in other areas like staining, wallpapering, painting cabinets and drywall repair.
Below are painting contractors’ typical responsibilities:
- Prepping the area, such as protecting the floors and covering furniture
- Surface preparation, such as removing wallpaper, repairing drywall, patching, sanding, stripping old paint from the walls, taping the edges
- Priming
- Painting, including detail work such as the trim, windows, doors, and ceilings
- Touch-ups
- Cleanup
