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For most people, the whole point of hiring house painters is to make your life easier. It’s certainly true that good exterior painting companies will save you time and prevent any stress. Unfortunately, if you get the wrong painter, the whole home painting experience can turn into a nightmare.
When you’re looking to hire house painters in Madison NJ, it’s important to know what sort of painter to avoid. To prevent a super unpleasant experience, make sure you keep an eye out for these six warning signs.
They Seem to Be Running Suspicious Scams
The number one red flag to look out for is scams. The sad truth is that dishonest people may try to take advantage of the fact that the typical homeowner doesn’t know much about the home improvement industry. You need to try to exercise common sense and avoid any companies that seem sketchy.
One of the most common scams involves a so-called painting company asking you to pay for the whole project before they do the work. Most companies ask for a small deposit, but you should never be paying more than half the total cost upfront. Legitimate contractors won’t require you to pay in cash. Reputable exterior painting companies always offer options like credit or check as well.
You Can’t Get a Detailed Estimate From Them
Any good house painters will give you a detailed estimate and contract before they begin a project. They should discuss the project thoroughly with you and provide an itemized cost estimate. Though verbal estimates do occasionally happen, any legitimate company will always be fine giving you a written contract before they start.
A painter who won’t give you a solid estimate isn’t necessarily a scammer. However, if they’re not trying to upcharge you, they’re probably very disorganized. A contractor who cannot write up a basic estimate is probably equally careless in other areas of business.
They Won’t Show You Their Insurance
While you’re chatting with the company and asking for details, be sure to ask about their insurance. This might seem a little irrelevant, but it’s a good way of making sure the company is legitimate.
New Jersey requires most contractors to have a certain amount of insurance, so a trustworthy painter will always have insurance. In addition to helping you see if a business is legitimate, proof of insurance also guarantees the painter can cover any damage that occurs during the project.
The Company Uses Inferior Painting Products
Did you know that the brand of paint matters? Some companies, like J. Canabe, use high-quality products from reputable companies like Sherwin-Williams and Porter Paints. Other companies use generic paints that tend to streak, run, and fade. Typically, companies who are passionate about painting will only work with effective paints that provide good results.
Of course, a good painting company will help you select affordable options when you’re on a budget. However, they should be upfront about potential issues. If a company’s trying to push you towards cheap paint and won’t explain the downsides of a brand, run away. That’s typically a sign they’re going to overcharge you for cheap paint that will look bad in just a couple of months.
They Don’t Have Enough Experience
Typically, the best painting companies are the ones with years of experience. Companies who’ve been in the business for a while have taken the time to find good employees and create effective systems.
When talking to a company, take the time to really talk about their background. Even relatively new businesses might employ people with years of experience in the painting business. Ideally, you want a company where both the owners and the workers know what they’re doing.
You Can’t Find Any Positive References or Reviews
Don’t just rely on gut feelings when you interview a painter. Take the time to do a bit of research. In modern times, even very small businesses should have at least a few online reviews. Of course, some newer companies might not have reviews yet, but you can always ask for references.
If a company doesn’t seem to have any reviews or references, you probably shouldn’t trust them. In most cases, a complete lack of past customers indicates that the business is a scam. At the very least, it means the company is so new or so bad that no one will give them a positive reference.
Find a Home Painting Company You Can Trust
As long as you make sure the painting company doesn’t display those six warning signs, you’re off to a good start. By taking the time to interview the company before you sign a contract, you can find someone who does high-quality work in a timely and affordable manner.
For the absolute best experience, try J. Canabe Painting of Madison, NJ. Our team of highly-trained professionals works hard to provide you with stellar results. We help you with every step of painting from picking colors to cleaning up afterward. To schedule a consultation with our team, contact us now.
