As a consumer, this may be the first time you've had work done on your home. Here are some things to look for to increase your chances of hiring a great company. All reputable businesses will agree that the following five guidelines are necessary for a safe and professional job.

1) Thorough Inspection

Did the contractor do a thorough examination of your home to see if there is any rotten wood, or special circumstances that require extra care, or did they just run around your house as if all homes are the same? Every house is different, and each job may require a different approach to achieve the optimal results. Before hiring anyone, make sure the company does a detailed analysis on the specific needs of your home. Most paint companies don't (or can't) do the remodeling, carpentry and repair work, so they "conveniently" overlook rotten wood and paint right over it. If this occurs, you run the risk of further damage that may cost a lot more money to fix. You also run the risk of termites getting into the rotten wood area.

2) No Money Down

In this day and age of credit there is no excuse for any contractor to collect a deposit. The exception to this rule is with special order items (e.g. doors, windows, etc.). There are no special order paints. A reputable paint contractor will have enough credit to purchase materials and complete your home well before payment is due on the paint. So please protect yourself! Most horror stories we hear are about contractors collecting deposits and disappearing, never to be heard from again.

3) Written Warranty

We bet you wouldn't buy anything - not a car, not a television, not even a toaster - without a written warranty. Then why would a homeowner hire a painter without one? You may save a little money, but the possible problems and disasters of not having a warranty in writing may be huge. It also tells you something about the company, mainly that they don't have much pride or confidence in their work. You shouldn't either!

4) Insurance

Make sure you obtain a copy of every contractor's certificate of insurance and the agent's phone number. All companies should have both General Liability and Workman's Compensation coverage. You would never drive a car without insurance, so please don't make the mistake of hiring a contractor without it. If they don't have workman's compensation and a worker gets injured on your property, you may be sued and held liable.

5) References

A company that takes pride in its work will supply you with a large list of references. Fifty to one hundred names with addresses and phone numbers is a minimum. Please call some of them.

We hope these guidelines help you find an honest contractor who does great work to repair and paint your home. If you follow these guidelines and choose another company besides ours, we know you will have chosen them for all the right reasons.

Please contact us if you have any questions, or if we can help you in any way.