How To Not Get Ripped Off By A Painter?

It would help if you watched out for your painting contractor. Research is crucial in planning to avoid being ripped off by a painter. Many people overlook this part, especially if the company offers something that fits their needs. They will immediately trust them without checking their background.

 

So, how would you know if the company is worth the risk? Several factors should be considered. We will discuss how not to get ripped off by a painter for this topic. It should be noted that the advice here does not only apply to painting contractors but also to most contractors. So, keep on reading this article to find out more.

 

Know The Painter First

 

If you opt for an easy way to find a painting contractor, you first need to search for different companies on the internet. Check them one by one and familiarize yourself with what they’re doing and the past projects that they’ve done. You can also check the reviews to understand how they helped their past clients.

 

Checking the reviews is a huge help but will not be enough. Some may have positive feedback on the company, while others may not be satisfied with their work. That doesn’t mean the company isn’t doing a great job. The simple explanation is that all customers have different tastes. 

 

Apart from the reviews, check the company’s presence on major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Read posts and comments from clients and followers to learn if a company is indeed legit or not. It’s even better if they have a YouTube channel, so you can see how they document their works.

 

In addition to the powerful social media platforms, you can also find different contractors on other websites like Nextdoor, Yelp, Houzz, and some of the famous lead services for contractors. Most companies will offer quotes to customers. You can find what you are looking for, but remember to research prospective companies beyond these sites first before jumping into any offer.

 

Finding The Right Painter Takes Time

 

A website might be appealing, but the company could be terrible in the actual setting. Scams can happen quite often. Some clients believe the contractor’s offer on its website or social media but will only be disappointed when actual work is in progress or completed on the house. It will be a waste of money if that happens.

 

Meanwhile, some companies offer good services but don’t have customers — that doesn’t mean they’re a scam. Good contractors cannot find clients because they don’t advertise themselves and don’t make their presence known on the internet. They lack social media and marketing strategies.

 

Others based their choices on how long the company had been in the industry. For instance, if the painting company has an established record for many years, they may choose it rather than a relatively new firm. Yet, a start-up company may also offer a much better choice that fits the client’s liking.

 

Finding the right contractor may take a lot of time, so list down all the companies you found. When you finally choose the service provider that attracts you the most, communicate with them and discuss what type of job you want to get done. The company may show you different painters, for a painting contractor, and the price will depend on the service. 

 

How Can Clients Protect Themselves From Being Scammed?

 

If you find the right contractor, the next step that you should take is to protect yourself. Before jumping into the project, make sure you have an agreement and a contract. You should know all the details they will do in your house. Ask them questions like: 

 

• How much would the project cost (including the scope of works, materials, and labor fees)? 
• How will they paint your house? 
• Will they pressure wash it?
• What kind of paint are they going to use?

 

If you have wood finishes, ask them:

 

• If they’re going to cover your windows
• Will they scrape any loose material off
• Whether or not they will use a primer and what type
• If they find any rotted wood, what will they do

 

Many details could be left out while planning, so you have to be extra careful about it. Clients might also miss comments from the contractor like “we’re going to paint your house with two coats,” which is considered a very unprofessional way to estimate or provide a contract in the industry. 

 

Always remember that the more detailed the contract, the better. It shows that:

 

• The contractor knows what they’re doing.

• If you have the details in writing, you have more means to go after the contractor if they ripped you off. 

 

It’s important to know what’s going on with the project. You must have all the paperwork, including a copy of the contract – the most important. So, if the contractor missed something in the contract with you, you have a reference or basis for the scope of work and expected results.

 

Use Credit Card For Payment

 

In terms of payment, it’s better to use credit cards instead of debit cards. Paying with a credit card is the best way to protect yourself and not get ripped off by your painter. Why use a credit card? For the simple reason that it is tied to banks with all kinds of guarantees, while a debit card takes money out of your bank account. 

 

For example, you hired a painting contractor for $6000 and gave them a 50% deposit. But after receipt, you cannot contact them, and they never returned to work on the agreed project. In short, you were scammed!

 

If you use a credit card, all you have to do is call the credit card company and provide all the necessary information and the contract to prove that the contractor ran away and didn’t render any services. The credit card company will refund your money if you confirm that your claim is legit. They will also go after the contractor.

 

Why Choose The Picky Painters?

 

If you’re going to pick The Picky Painters as your painting contractor, you’ll get a fully detailed agreement. We layout how we do our work in every contract, so you don’t have to worry when it comes to planning. 

 

We will pressure wash the house surfaces for exterior jobs to remove the dirt and clean the area. Then, we have a drying out period for a few days and return to start painting. We assure you that we will cover and protect the windows and surfaces around your home. 

 

We will scrape any loose or peeling paint off the surfaces of a wood house. We’ll spot-prime wood and paint one coat or two coats of your chosen shade, depending on the project. If there’s a specific spot that needs attention, we will attach a picture of that area and discuss the process involved in this particular area. 

 

We provide the most straightforward quote in Cleveland, Ohio, and offer a wide range of services such as kitchen cabinet refinishing, interior painting, exterior painting, wallpaper removal, and more. We paint not only houses but also office warehouses and commercial buildings.

 

You can call us at (216) 403 – 2545 or email joe@thepickypainters.com. For the payment method, we accept all major credit cards.

 

To learn more about The Picky Painters, check out our official website and social media pages:

 

Website: https://thepickypainters.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePickyPainters/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Picky_Painters

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepickypainters/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8txYLmOtuskWLOyuxtcn6w

 

We will ask for pictures and basic information. You can also fill out a Google form or submit your info on our website to get a callback. Filling out the form will bring you into our system with accurate information. It’s just a quick process, and we can come up with an estimate for you.

 

Check out some of our previous works:

 

We look forward to speaking with you about your project, and hopefully, we can help you out. Thanks for checking out our blog! 

 

You can also check some of our other blogs. We have a ton of great content on our website, and we’re always adding more constantly! 

 

You can reach out to us if there’s something that you can’t find on our website that you want to know about. Feel free to ask something that was not mentioned in this blog or if there’s anything you can suggest about a specific topic. We love to hear your feedback about our website!

 

We look forward to talking to you. Thank you for reading and checking out more on our blogs. Goodbye, and have a good day!