What to expect and questions to ask
If you're reading this blog, you are most likely a homeowner who's exterior is starting to fade, there's repairs that need done, or you are looking to change things up and paint the exterior a different color. So what now?
For most people, especially if your home is a two story or higher, painting the exterior yourself is daunting. You don't have the experience to make it look clean, and you don't have the equipment to reach those high places. The best option is to contact the professionals and start gathering estimates, but where do you start?
Here's a list of things that we've learned are most valued by homeowners in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area (and the surrounding cities such as New Haven, Decatur, Columbia City, Huntington, Auburn, and more) when hiring an exterior painter.
#1 : Reputation
The first step in hiring an exterior painter is to do a little research. This can be as simple as reading a few companies' Google reviews.
Make sure that they have at least 4 stars, and are active in responding to each review.
Another way you can learn more about a painter's reputation is by checking out their website to learn about their values, their Facebook pages to see how people are responding to their posts, and their Instagram to see photos of their work.
This is an easy way to get a feel for who you are inviting to your home and weed out the ones who have not prioritized the homeowner experience.
#2 : Communication
This may seem like the bare minimum when it comes to hiring (and we would agree!), but you would be surprised by the countless stories we hear from our clients about other companies not showing up for estimates, dragging projects on past the estimated completion date, not calling clients back, not following through on promises, etc.
Setting that foundation for good communication with your painter starts with setting up the estimate. You should expect a call back within 1 business day, if not the same day, or better yet, answering your call right away. Companies that don't call back to schedule your estimate within this time frame often are the painters who aren't organized, and forget about important dates and concerns of their clients. The painter who cares about your home will care about every step of the communication process.
At Origami Painting, we pride ourselves on quick responses, reminder texts about appointments, sending a message when we're on our way, and even providing you with your estimate on the same day that we come out for measurements, so you don't have to wait days or weeks for a price!
If your exterior painter checks these boxes and sets that foundation, you can have greater confidence that there will be good communion all the way to the end of the job.
#3 : Presentation
You receive a quick response and you set the appointment. Now, what are some things to look for during the estimate process?
A good exterior painter should be able to make you feel at ease. Painting your home's exterior is a big investment (often ranging from $5,000-$10,000), and you want to feel as though the company is trustworthy.
Are they answering your questions in a way that you as the customer can understand? (not dismissive or using unnecessarily big terms)
Are they dressed professionally and taking detailed notes?
BEWARE of the contractor who doesn't take measurements and just throws out a price!
Are they listening to your concerns and suggesting what will fit best into your vision?
Your final estimate should be clearly written (or typed) on a paper that has the company's information, a list of everything that will be prepped and painted, terms and conditions clearly written, and a place for you and the contractor to sign at the bottom.
Note: most reputable exterior painters will require a deposit, up to 50%, upon signing. This is to protect you as the client (not paying 100% until the job is complete) and to protect the painter (in the unfortunate case a client attempts to not pay).
#4 : Price and Quality
This is definitely a hot topic in the construction industry, and something that isn't talked about a lot. All too often, contractors don't have a good system for tracking expenses and labor, and aren't able to give their prospective clients consistent, reliable prices for work.
Here are two versions of stories we hear over and over from homeowners just like you in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area...
Based on REAL stories from homeowners like you
Painter 1 came late to the estimate and is wearing an outfit covered in sweat and paint drips. Out of all the estimates, he was not necessarily the most impressive, but he was BY FAR the cheapest! His price came in at thousands of dollars under the competitor. He promises you that he is the best at what he does and you decide you can use the savings on other home projects.
Once hired, Painter 1 takes a deposit, and then you don't hear from him for a week. He finally calls back and tells you he can start the nest day. You haven't picked out colors yet, so you scramble to the store to get things ready.
Tomorrow comes and he calls you at noon to tell you he can't start for a couple more days.
After 2 reschedules he comes an hour past the timeframe he told you, pressure washes the home for 3 hours, leaves for lunch, and doesn't come back. He tells you the prep is done and he will be starting the paint soon.
Taking a walk around the home, you notice there is still quite a bit of dirt on the home, and that one of the repairs you mentioned during the estimate hasn't been started, and will not be ready for paint.
You express your concerns to him, but after many back and forth messages over several days, you have lost faith that your home will be completed well.
You decide to let it go and let him do his job. After 1 month, he comes back and starts painting. Each day he is there at a random time for a varying amount of hours, not usually adding up to even 6 hours. Each day, you walk around the home and notice paint drips on the driveway, on door handles, on your fence, and all over the grass.
After about half the home is done, he eventually stops responding to your calls and never comes back, pocketing your deposit.
You wonder if being the cheapest was such a bargain after all.
Painter 2 arrives promptly to your home for the estimate. He is dressed professionally and is taking notes on a tablet. He drives and nice car and smells clean. You begin to tell him about your project, and how you want your siding and windows painted. During the walkaround, he talks fast and begins to point out that if you are painting the siding, you need to paint the garage door as well. He writes it down. He also mentions a new promotion that will actually save you money if you have them paint your fence as well.
You do not think you want your fence painted, but he is very convincing.
He quickly adds "fence" to your estimate and explains that you will need to use the new, designer edition exterior paint for your home, because it will make the colors look the best, and anything else wont.
You do not understand the difference between the products, but he seems to know what he's talking about. He adds this fee to your total price.
At the end of the estimate he explains how the job will cost $20,000. This is too high for your budget, so you tell him you want to think about it. He then says he can do it for a special discount and offers $18,500. This does sound better, but you are still unsure. Can this job really cost that much? You say thank you for your time but I don't think we'll be doing the job. He then says that he never does this, but he will give you his commission off of the job and offer you the best price you will be able to get at $17,000. You believe him and know that you can't do the job yourself, so you hesitantly write a check and hire Painter 2.
Once he leaves, the buyer's regret sets in, and you know you'll have to postpone that vacation.
As you can see, the cheapest price often comes with other complications. In these situations, painters realize too late that they didn't charge enough for the job, and either walk off the job, or do it as quickly as possible, sacrificing quality.
The most expensive bid may suggest the best quality, but you are usually overpaying, and most of that money goes to the sales guy and the big bosses.
A price that is fair for the homeowner and the painter will be one that is itemized and explained well. The painter will listen to exactly what you want and not push for you to spend more than your budget allows. They will use good, trusted products without sacrificing quality.
Sometimes these painters will be the most expensive, depending on how many estimates you get, but they will almost never be the cheapest.
Conclusion
Feeling more confident about what to look for? Ready to hire the best exterior painter for the best value, who doesn't sacrifice quality? Click this link to book your free estimate with Origami Painting!
We have a great resume of reviews from all different types of homeowners in Fort Wayne, Indiana and beyond. They've experienced the follow-through and communication that's important when investing into your home. They have been so kind to praise our whole team from the sale representative to the project manager to the painters themselves, and mention our prices were fair.
What is Most Important to You When Hiring a Painter?
Cheapest Price
Best Quality for a Fair Price
I Trust the Company
Most Known Painter in My Area
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