Contractors look legit…until you ask the right questions.
This is our NO-BS Guide to Hiring the Right Painter
–> How to confirm License, Bond & Insurance
–> The right questions to ask – watch the unqualified squirm
–> Get a clear scope of work & keep everyone accountable
–> Compare bids and prices like a pro, & lock in a price
–> How to do a proper reference check
Just the helpful facts — Written by people that care!
Key Questions to Ask Painters
Skip ahead and download the PDFs
Step One
Online Research
Before you schedule an estimate
Oregon state law mandates that contractors must be licensed with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (ORCCB), bonded, and insured for property damage.
Additionally, all workers that step onto your property must be named on the ORCCB license as an owner, otherwise they are considered employees and must be on a workers compensation insurance policy that protects you from being liable for injuries that happen on your property.
If you hire a contractor that is operating illegally you lose the ability to recover damages, and you lose the support of the ORCCB and their Dispute Resolution Service.
- Verify an active ORCCB License, Liability Insurance, and a Surety Bond at Oregon State Contractor License Search. Input the contractor's CCB # to see all the details. (Our CCB # is 164514)
- Verify an active Workers Compensation Insurance policy at Oregon DCBS Proof of Coverage Search.
- Look up their reviews by searching for company name + reviews. For example, for Pearl Painters you can simply go to Google and search "pearl painters reviews."
Did they pass these checks?
If you’re confident that the contractors you are considering are legitimate, and you’ve browsed their online reviews, move on to the next step: Scope of Work
Step Two
Scope of Work
Creating clear expectations
You likely have a rough idea of what you want, but are unsure how to write a scope of work. That’s ok – any professional painting company should work with you to create one.
Having a clear, written version of your project is essential. It allows you to communicate your expectations to potential contractors and get comparable bids.
- Identify the rooms or surfaces you want to be painted.
- Consider the level of preparation needed, including repairs
- Decide on the desired finishes, application methods, number of coats, paint brand and type, sheen level, and colors.
- Document any special requests or details important to you.
Step Three
Ask Questions
and avoid red flags
Now that you know the contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured, and you have a scope of work in hand, it’s time to get into the more detailed questions.
It is absolutely worth it to spend the time needed to ask these questions. Any professional contractor should be confident in their answer to every single one.
- Don't be afraid to ask pointed questions.
- If a contractor gets defensive or won't answer, don't hire them. Move on to other bids.
- Trust your gut. This is someone you are allowing into your home and you need to be able to trust them.
Read on for the questions
We’ve provided specific questions based on the type of project in your home: exterior, interior, or cabinet painting.
Key Questions to Ask Cabinet Painting Contractors
Don’t be afraid to ask pointed questions. If a contractor gets defensive or won’t answer your questions, don’t hire them! Move on with other bids until you find what and who you’re looking for.
Surface Preparation
Surface preparation is essential for ensuring paint adheres properly and lasts over time, which is particularly important for cabinet painting. Improper surface prep will lead to peeling, cracking, delamination, rough surface, fish eyes or poor coverage. Proper surface prep lays the foundation for a smooth, durable, and long-lasting finish on your cabinets.
Questions to Ask - Surface Prep
- How will you clean the cabinet surfaces prior to painting?
- What will you use to clean the surfaces and why?
- How will you address dents, chipped paint, paint that is not tightly adhered, holes, cracks, and texture issues on the cabinets? (Mention issues specific to your cabinets.)
- What will you do to ensure paint will stick to my current glossy cabinet surfaces?
- Do you sand? If yes, do you sand the old finish off completely? Do your sanders have HEPA vacuums to catch dust?
- Will you prime the cabinets before painting?
- If you prime, will the primer be oil- or water-based?
- Do you sand after priming and do you sand after the first coat of paint?
- Will you caulk gaps in door panels and between the crown molding and cabinet box?
- What if the caulking cracks or the paint cracks on top of the caulking?
- If you don’t caulk, will you guarantee that paint won’t bridge and that all gaps will have an even and consistent reveal?
- How much spot filler/bondo work do you do post-primer?
- Will you use an LED light to find flaws before you put finish coats on?
- Will I have an opportunity to inspect and approve the surface preparation before painting begins? (We highly recommend that you require your bidder to include this in the contract.)
Protection Requirements
How will the painting company ensure that your cabinets, flooring, and valuable items are protected?
A painting contractor’s protection process is vital to safeguarding your property during a project and can be a clear indicator of their professionalism.
Questions to Ask - Protection
- Where will you do the spraying of cabinet doors – at my house or your shop?
- How will you protect floors, furniture, breakables, and electronics during the project?
- Do you use drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect surfaces near the work area?
- How do you handle cleanup in the event of accidental spills or overspray?
- Do you use dust and toxic smell extraction devices?
- How do you protect my furnace and home’s duct work from sanding and overspray dust?
Paint Application
Defining paint application details with the bidder ensures proper methods, coverage, and quality. Clear expectations help avoid surprises, additional costs, and ensure a professional finish.
Questions to Ask - Application
- How will you apply the paint to the cabinets (e.g., spray or hand paint)?
- If you spray the doors but hand paint the cabinet boxes will both surfaces match in color, texture and sheen?
- How many coats of paint will you apply to the cabinets?
- Will you remove the cabinet doors or attempt to paint them in place?
- How do you know that you are applying the paint at the correct mil thickness?
- What type, brand, and sheen of paint do you recommend for my cabinets?
- What if the paint does not cover in the number of coats that you specify?
- Is there a potential for more cost if the paint does not cover in the number of coats you specify?
- How will you ensure clean, straight color transition lines between my cabinets and my walls?
- Will you get overspray on my walls, forcing me to paint my walls?
- If you do get overspray on my walls will my wall paint stick to your cabinet paint? (This kind of stuff happens, ask us how we know!)
Cleanup
Detailing the cleanup process with the painting contractor ensures waste is handled properly, your property is protected, and environmental standards are met, preventing potential damage or extra costs.
Questions to Ask - Cleanup
- What will you do with any garbage produced?
- What do you do with leftover paint?
- Where do you clean your brushes, rollers, and spray equipment?
- What do you do with dirty solvent used to clean oil paint from brushes and sprayers?
Payments
Clarifying the payment process with your painter ensures transparency, protects both parties, and helps prevent disputes or unexpected costs throughout the project.
Questions to Ask - Payments
- Do you require a deposit?
- Can I hold back a portion of the payment until I am satisfied with the completed job / final inspection? (i.e. contract completed — no touchups required, cleanup is complete) Will you put that in writing?
Comparing Cost
Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples, not just focusing on the price. If there is a big difference in price from one company to another dig in and understand what’s different! Then ask yourself: Am I going to be happy? Do I trust this company and their process?
Questions to Ask - Comparing Cost
- Can I see your written prep and painting process for cabinets?
- How long will my project take?
- How many workers for how many days?
- Can you provide the total hours detail so I can understand how you got to your price?
- Will my cost change if it takes longer or requires more materials than you planned for? (ask for that in writing!)
- How do I know your price is accurate and fair?
Key Questions to Ask Interior Painting Contractors
Don’t be afraid to ask pointed questions. If a contractor gets defensive or won’t answer your questions, don’t hire them! Move on with other bids until you find what and who you’re looking for.
Surface Preparation
It’s vital that your interior surfaces be properly prepared. That specific process can vary from room to room or surface to surface. Proper surface prep ensures that you get a durable, beautiful, long-lasting finish in your home.
Questions to Ask - Surface Prep
- How will you clean the surfaces prior to painting?
- What will you use to clean the surfaces and why?
- How do you address nail pops, dents, holes, cracks and texture issues?
- What do you do to ensure paint will stick to glossy surfaces?
- Will you prime the surfaces before painting?
- If you prime, will the primer be oil- or water-based?
- Will I have an opportunity to inspect and approve the surface preparation before painting begins?
Protection Requirements
How will the painting company protect your floors, carpet, furniture, and everything else inside your home?
Protection goes beyond your belongings – it’s also important to feel safe with strangers in your home. Understanding a painting contractor’s protection process is a clear indicator of their professionalism.
Questions to Ask - Protection
- How do you protect floors, furniture, breakables, electronics, and window coverings during the project?
- What is your plan for gaining access to my home, as well as lock-up procedures?
- Where will you store your equipment?
- Where and how do you plan for brush and roller cleanup?
- What is your smoking policy?
- Which bathroom can be used or will you require a portable bathroom for the crew?
Paint Application
It’s important to understand the methods that painters use to apply the paint in the interior of your home. During the bidding process, make sure that you have clear expectations in order to avoid additional costs. Plus, you want to have that beautiful, professional finish.
Questions to Ask - Application
- How will you apply the paint (e.g. spray, spray and back roll, or hand paint)?
- How many coats will you apply?
- What’s the difference between one heavy coat and two normal coats?
- How do you know that you are applying the paint at the correct mil thickness?
- What type, brand, and sheen of paint do you recommend?
- What if the paint does not cover in the number of coats that you specify?
- Is there a potential for more cost if the paint does not cover in the number of coats you specify?
- How will you ensure clean, straight color transition lines between walls, ceilings, trim and floors?
- What surfaces are included and excluded from the project?
Cleanup
Make sure that waste is handled correctly and cleanup is done appropriately. If you have this knowledge ahead of time, you can prevent potential damage or extra costs.
Questions to Ask - Cleanup
- What do you do with the garbage produced from my project?
- What do you do with leftover paint?
- Where do you clean your brushes, rollers, and spray equipment?
- What do you do with dirty solvent used to clean oil paint from brushes / sprayers?
Payments
Understanding the payment process and schedule ensures transparency, protects both parties, and helps prevent disputes or unexpected costs throughout the project.
Questions to Ask - Payments
- Do you require a deposit?
- Can I hold back a portion of the payment until I am satisfied with the completed job / final inspection? (i.e. contract completed — no touchups required, cleanup is complete) Will you put that in writing?
Comparing Cost
Never focus on just the price. When getting bids, you want to make comparisons based on data. Require that your bidder provides an itemized number of labor hours for each task to ensure nothing is missing from the scope. If there is a big variance in cost from one contractor to another there is likely something missing. Make sure you understand what you are getting for your money and that your eyes are wide open before you jump.
Questions to Ask - Comparing Cost
- Can I see your written prep and painting process for a project like mine?
- How long will my project take?
- How many workers for how many days?
- Can you provide the total hours detail so I can understand how you got to your price?
- Will my cost change if it takes longer or requires more materials than you planned for? (get that in writing!)
- How do I know your price is accurate and fair?
Key Questions to Ask Exterior House Painting Contractors
Don’t be afraid to ask pointed questions. If a contractor gets defensive or won’t answer your questions, don’t hire them! Move on with other bids until you find what and who you’re looking for.
Surface Preparation
Surface preparation is essential for ensuring paint looks good and adheres properly so it lasts over time. Improper surface prep will lead to peeling, cracking, or poor coverage. Proper surface prep lays the foundation for a smooth, durable, and long-lasting beautiful finish.
Require your bidder to note in the contract that you will have an opportunity to inspect and approve the surface preparation before moving onto the painting stage!
Questions to Ask - Surface Prep
- Do you pressure wash or hand wash?
- Will you use a cleaning agent?
- Will it harm my plants/animals?
- How do you know if the surface is dry enough to paint?
- Will you use a moisture meter to ensure the surface is dry enough?
- What is a safe percentage range on the moisture meter?
- Will you scrape all loose paint, even on the high trim that is 30 ft. in the air?
- What areas will you sand?
- What areas will you prime?
- What kind of primer will you use?
- How long will you let the primer dry before you paint?
- Will you correct failing caulking?
- What type of caulking do you use?
- How thoroughly will you mask and tape to protect my windows, brick, foundation, roof, plants, decks, cars, etc. from overspray, drips and spills?
Protection Requirements
A painting contractor’s protection process is vital to safeguarding your property during a project and can be a clear indicator of their professionalism.
Questions to Ask - Protection
- How do you prevent overspray, drips, and spills on my roof, fence, windows, brick, deck, car, etc.?
- What materials do you use for masking and taping windows, doors, and other areas?
- How do you protect landscaping, plants, and outdoor fixtures?
- Will you cover walkways, driveways, and patios during the painting process?
- Do you use drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect surfaces near the work area?
- Will you remove or cover any outdoor furniture or other belongings, or should I do that before work begins?
- How do you handle cleanup in the event of accidental spills or overspray?
Paint Application
Defining paint application details with the bidder ensures proper methods, coverage, and quality. Clear expectations help avoid surprises, additional costs, and ensure a professional finish.
Questions to Ask - Application
- How will you apply the paint? Will you spray, spray & back brush, spray & back roll, or hand paint?
- How many coats will you apply?
- What’s the difference between one heavy coat and two normal coats?
- What can go wrong if you apply a really thick coat of paint? (Hint – it’s not just runs!)
- How do you know you are applying the paint at the correct mill thickness?
- Please define what you consider 2 coats. Is that spraying in one direction and going back over it, or do you let the first coat dry and then apply the second coat?
- How will you paint my front door? Will you remove it or paint it in place?
- What brand and type of paint do you recommend?
- What is the best sheen level for my project?
- Will you use enamel on my front door?
- What happens if the paint does not cover in the specified number of coats? Is there a potential for more cost?
- What surfaces are included and excluded from the painting?
- Will you allow me to inspect the work at the end of the project before your crew leaves and correct all touch-ups before I pay the final balance?
Cleanup
Detailing the cleanup process with the painting contractor ensures waste is handled properly, your property is protected, and environmental standards are met, preventing potential damage or extra costs.
Questions to Ask - Cleanup
- What do you do with the garbage produced from my project? Do you take it away or put it in my garbage?
- What do you do with the leftover paint?
- Where do you clean your brushes, rollers, and spray equipment?
- What do you do with dirty solvent used to clean oil paint from brushes or sprayers?
- How do you manage and contain paint chips or debris during the prep process?
- Will you clean the area daily or only at the end of the project?
- What precautions do you take to prevent environmental contamination from paint waste or wash water?
Payments
Clarifying the payment process with your painter ensures transparency, protects both parties, and helps prevent disputes or unexpected costs throughout the project.
Questions to Ask - Payments
- Do you require a deposit? If not, how do I know that you are committed to doing my project before it rains?
- What is your payment schedule, and when are payments due throughout the project?
- Can I hold back a portion of the payment until I am satisfied with the completed job / final inspection? (i.e. contract completed — no touchups required, cleanup is complete) Will you put that in writing?
Comparing Cost
Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples, not just focusing on the price: Require your bidder to provide an itemized number of labor hours required for each task.
Questions to Ask - Comparing Cost
- Can I see your written prep and painting process for exterior projects like mine?
- How long will my project take?
- How many workers for how many days?
- Can you provide the total hours detail so I can understand how you got to your price?
- Will my cost change if it takes longer or requires more materials than you planned for? (confirm that in writing!)
- How do I know your price is accurate and fair?
Download PDF versions of each set of questions
Empower Your Decision and Hire the Right Painting Professional with Confidence
At Pearl Painters, we realize that "you're the boss." We also recognize that you're looking to hire a professional for your project. We believe that when hiring a painting contractor, consumers should approach it like an employer filling a position in their own company: get to know them, and make sure you can work with them. Find out who you're inviting into your home. You are entrusting this company and their employees with your personal possessions, your family, and your home. With the information and interview questions provided above, we hope to equip you with the useful insights needed to compare different companies and make the best choice possible.
Checking References
Avoid mistakes others made.
Remember, any company can come up with 3 positive references. Doing due diligence on references and online reviews helps verify the painting contractor's reliability, quality of work, and professionalism, ensuring you hire someone trustworthy and avoid potential issues with the project.
Trust your gut. Can this company complete the project to your satisfaction? Will they communicate well if issues arise? Do you trust them and their employees?
- Find out the name of the lead painter in charge of your project.
- Request details of the last 3-5 projects completed by the lead painter in chronological order.
- Call all references and ask:
- Were they happy with the lead painter?
- Would they re-hire or refer this painter?
- Did anything go wrong during the project?
- Did the project start and finish as promised?
- How was the overall quality of the work?
- Were the workers seem friendly and trustworthy?
- Did the price change from the original agreement?
- Can they offer any advice for a smoother process?
- Ask the contractor if they can arrange for you to meet the crew.
- Try to visit an active jobsite while the crew is working to see them in action.
- Make sure they are well-reviewed on Google, Yelp, Houzz, etc.
