Whether you need help with a big renovation project, routine maintenance or tackling a tricky area at your business site, hiring the right people to do your commercial painting work is vital for your sanity. But how do you know you are making the best choice for the work your business needs? As a team of experts in the commercial painting industry, we are here to offer you five steps you can take to ensure you make the best choice when hiring a painting contractor for your business.
1. Decide what you want
To get the best bids from professional painting firms, you need to have a clear picture of what you want – so make a detailed list of your job requirements. Include everything from colors and surface types to cleanup and accessibility requirements while the painting is taking place.
2. Research the options
Get recommendations from colleagues at other companies, the business section of your local newspaper, and local online review and search sites. Read reviews other businesses have left for commercial painting work, and make your own inquiries to get a clear picture for the kind of work the various crews have undertaken.
3. Due diligence
Once you’ve used the power of research to narrow the field of potential commercial painting companies suitable for your job, do some double-checking on the basics. Ensure firms that have made it through the first round elimination have the appropriate licensing, insurance and bond for the area in which you reside.
4. Get bids
Ask the painting contractors on your shortlist for a detailed estimate based on the specifics of the job you worked out in step one – invite commercial painting contractors to your site to ensure they are fully appraised of all the particulars. This is an important part of gathering the bids because professional painting contractors will notice a variety of challenges on your job site that you might not even be aware of, because painting is what they do best. Bids should include:
- Timeline for the job
- Specification of materials
- Detail about the prep work, painting process, finishing
- Health and safety considerations
- Terms and conditions for the job
Once you have bids from at least three commercial painters, you can compare them to see how the variables stack up. Usually, there is more to comparing paint estimates than just the dollars and cents of the bottom line.
5. Negotiate
When you think you have found the right match for your commercial painting project, take the time to discuss all the variables with your potential paint contractor. Discuss everything from the timeline to the health and safety measures that will be taken onsite; ask about payment arrangements and warranties; discuss how the job site will be prepared and finished; and, of course, what sort of warranty come with the completed work.
In truth, we should’ve called this a six-step process – because once you’ve negotiated a solid, clear contract for your commercial painting work, you’ll need to do one last thing: sit back and admire the great new paint work at your place of business. New paint is a great investment in your business, as well as the neighborhood where your business is located. When you are ready to invest in a fresh new look for your site, contact our professional commercial painting team, we’ll be happy to help.
