Painting is an important part of protecting your property from damage and also increasing its overall appeal and value. It can be a time consuming and resource intensive process that involves a wide variety of investors. Before you commit to painting your property, there are a few key points that need to be considered which will help determine the outcome of your painting.
Point 1: Using an unlicensed and uninsured painter
Anybody can paint… or so they think. But be warned, there are many unlicensed painters working in Brisbane and Queensland. If you hire one of them to paint for you… YOU are the one taking all of the risks.
Professional painters will always carry their licences and liability insurance on them. Picking the right one of the two
Point 2: Ask for References or Testimonials
How do you know if the painter can live up to your expectations of them?
A professional painter will have a portfolio of works completed which should be made available to you. You will need to see what type of work they are capable of.
Look for painters with references and testimonials because it will show you they look after their client. It also shows they are happy for you to see what others have said about them.
Point 3: Accepting an Affordable Price
What is an affordable price? No two painters are the same so no two estimates will be the same. There will never be a “right price” but there will be a “right price range” and this comes from getting quotes from many other professional painters.
Once you’ve obtained quotes from many other painters, there will be a common price range. You need to know you can trust the painter you choose to stay within budget and keep the job affordable… for you.
Point 4: Not insisting on a Written Quote and Contract
It’s a slightly disturbing trend occurring with Home and Property owners with painting. Have you ever had a painter “eyeball” your property, run the numbers in their head and write a price on the back of a business card? This is not quoting, and you should steer well clear of such tradespeople.
If you agree to that price, you have no proof or assurance the job will be done to your expectations. Sure the job could be done for that price, but there are far too many “unknowns” when it comes to a verbal or 5-minute quote.
Insist on a professional typed quote that outlines everything the job includes. That way there will be no nasty surprises and you’ll have a written document to ensure that the painter does exactly what they said they would do.
Point 5: Handing Over Their Cash Too Quickly
How many professions do you know of who get their money paid up front? Painting isn’t one of those professions so be wary of those asking for a payment upfront.
You should be paying at the end of the job once you are satisfied with the results and if you are asked for a deposit, it should only be a small amount of the total job, usually around 10%
Never hand over your money until the paint job is finished and you are satisfied with the results. Check that everything on the itemised quote has been completed and everything that has been promised has been delivered.
As a property owner, painting can be an enormous task that can sometimes leave a bitter taste with owners and investors alike when things don’t turn out as they should. These pointers will help you determine how to go about painting and how you can protect yourself from the perils of making the wrong decision.
