Did you know that if you hire an unlicensed painter you could be just as liable as the contractor themselves? See ORS 658.465
At Pearl Painters, our primary goal is to ensure that you have the best possible experience, even if it means you choose another painting contractor for your project. Let’s dive in and help you find the right painter!
1. Are they Licensed, Bonded, Insured with Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
These checks should not be considered optional, and are mandated by state law for your legal protection. Here’s what you need to do:
- Verify that the painter has an active contractor’s license, surety bond and liability insurance by searching the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (ORCCB) website, without these items in place you lose access to the dispute resolution service provided by the OR Contractors Board, performance guarantee bond and you then become responsible for property damage caused by your contractor. Our ORCCB # is: 164514
- Verify that the painter has an active Workers’ Compensation Insurance Policy on the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division website. Any worker who is not covered by an active Workers’ Compensation Insurance Policy will become your responsibility in the event of a worksite injury. Our Workers’ Comp Insurance Policy Number is: 940188
2. What is Their Reputation Like?
Unfortunately, the barriers to entry to be a legal contractor in Oregon are not super high, (8 hour course and a $434 fee.) you should dig deeper.
- How long have they been in business? Pearl Painters started in 2001.
- Check reviews on Google, to see what others think… sort by most recent. Here are our 180+ Google Reviews.
- Check reviews on Next Door to see what your neighbors think. Here are our 60+ Next Door Reviews.
- Check the company’s website, does it show examples of their work that is similar to what you are looking to do? Here are few examples of our work over the last 20+ years:
3. Which Quote Process is More Likely to be a Success for You?
One that involves a typical quick walk-through and a vague contract OR one that involves a 1-2 hour onsite walk-through, defined written contract with a guaranteed not to change final price accompanied with a detailed scope of work video. That video then becomes part of the agreement and is reviewed by the painting team in a pre-project team meeting to ensure all team members are aware of the scope, concerns, and expectations for your project.
- Here are 3 examples of our quotes from actual projects that have been completed, WITH PRICING:
- Our quoting process: We will walk through every room / around the entire home with you, discuss all possible options, and agree on a scope of work that will ensure your happiness. Once your scope of work is defined, we will make a detailed scope of work video documenting our to-do list and your concerns / goals. The link to your video scope of work will live inside your contract forever. Before we start your project our team will review your video and your contract to ensure all team members get a firsthand view of what’s been promised to you. This step ensures that every team member is aligned, reducing the chances of discrepancies during your project.
- Here are examples of the scope of work videos that we would create for your project, (note these are the videos for the 3 example contracts listed above)
4. Are They the Right Painter for You?
Don’t be afraid to ask pointed questions during the bidding process. A qualified painter who cares about your needs will be happy to help by providing transparent answers.
- Who’s doing the work… you, your employees or subcontractors?
- What are the clear expectations you have set, including start and finish dates, daily work hours, provisions for missed days or delays, access to my home, and equipment storage?
- How will you protect my property during the project, such as moving furniture and safeguarding floors, furniture, electronics, and window coverings?
- What surface preparation techniques will you employ, and how will you address issues like nail pops, dents, holes, cracks, and glossy surface adhesion?
- Which paint application method is best suited for my project? How many coats will be applied, and what type and brand of paint do you recommend?
- How do you ensure the correct amount of paint is being applied to maintain the paint manufactures warranty?
- How will you handle cleanup procedures, including disposal of project waste and leftover paint, as well as brush and roller cleanup? How will you dispose of solvents for oil-based paints?
- What is the payment schedule you propose, including deposits and final payments upon project inspection and approval?
- How can I ensure that I’m comparing bids based on identical scopes of work to make an informed decision?
- How many years of experience do you have with interior, exterior, and cabinet painting?
- Can you provide me references or before-and-after photos of similar projects you’ve completed?
- How do you typically manage unexpected complications or costs that arise during a project?
- Which brands and qualities of paint do you generally prefer, and for what reasons?
- How do you achieve sharp, clean edges, especially in challenging areas like where walls meet ceilings or trim?
- What is your approach to preparing cabinets for painting to achieve a durable finish?
- How do you minimize and manage dust and fumes, especially in occupied homes?
- If you work with a crew, how many people are typically on the team, and how do you supervise them?
- What is your process for addressing touch-ups or areas that might require additional attention?
- How do you accommodate changes or additions to the project scope once it has commenced?
- How you keep me updated about progress or any challenges during the project?
- How long will my project take?
5. Why Would you Not Check References?
Before finalizing your decision, contact the contractor’s references. Don’t settle for just three references; dig deeper for a more comprehensive understanding. Here’s what you should ask:
- Request references from clients who had similar projects, not just a general list.
- Inquire about their satisfaction with the lead painter, project start and finish times, quality, trustworthiness of the crew, adherence to the original agreement, and communication.
- Visit an active job site if possible to meet the crew and see their work.
6. Have they Earned Your Trust?
- How comfortable are you calling a timeout to have a conversation if things go wrong?
- Will they get defensive?
- Will they walk off the job without finishing?
- We believe open and honest communication is the best, that way we all know how we are supposed to feel. Otherwise we are left guessing…
Wondering what your project would cost? Click here to get a quote.
