Since there is plenty of painting contractors available to you, selecting the right one for your home can prove to be a challenge. After all, not all contractors are made equal. While some offer superior quality, others charge a lower rate.
Considering all the factors that you have to keep in mind when making a decision. It is a good idea to get a number of estimates rather than opting for the first painting contractor you find online or in the Yellow Pages. The pertinent question here is exactly how many estimates you should get before you make a choice.
For one, you cannot ask an expert to help you determine the answer. If you ask a painting contractor, they will try their best to convince you to hire them for the job. The rule of thumb is that you should talk to at least 4 contractors before you make your choice.
However, there is no limit on the number. The aim behind this entire process is to ensure your peace of mind when making the decision. You have to be comfortable with your decision, so obtain as many quotes and estimates as you like.
The best approach is to not fixate on a specific number of contractors from the outset. What you should do instead is come up with a list of 10 painting contractors from which you will make the final choice. To make your list, you can ask for referrals from people in your social circle who have recently had their homes painted. Make sure you obtain sufficient information when asking them for a referral so that you have an idea of what to expect from the contractor, should you choose to hire them.
You can also ask anyone whose home you visited and found that the interior and exterior were painted beautifully. When it comes to painting contractors, referrals are generally your safest best. However, you can go online and look up the best painting contractors in your local area.
When searching online, go through customer reviews and the ratings the painting contractors has received. This will also give you an idea of the quality of service they provide. If a painting contractor has been criticized by a past customer, it is probably a good idea to cross him off the list.
Once you have made your list, talk to each contractor. Eliminate the ones whom you are not comfortable with, because paint jobs can last for more than a week and the situation could get awkward.
Moreover, ask the contractors if they are willing to provide a written estimate. The best contractors in the business don’t hesitate to provide written quotes. If a contractor says no, simply move on to the next one.
By going through this process, you will be down to 3 or 4 contractor names. So, to answer the question asked in the beginning, getting at least 4 estimates should be enough for you to select the right painting contractor.
