“This is the cheapest option among exterior house painting contractors in this area! Let’s go for it.”
“They’re so fast; they can finish in just half a day!”
“They guaranteed us this work will last for at least 50 years.”
These statements may sound familiar if you are looking for exterior house painting contractors. It is easy to be persuaded by tempting promises and low prices, but these can often lead to unpleasant results. Hiring the right company is not just about finding the lowest bid or the fastest lead time.
In this article, we will examine 10 common mistakes people make when hiring exterior house painting contractors. While some of these mistakes might seem obvious and easy to sidestep, as professionals in Wichita, Kansas, we can assure you they occur more often than you may think.
Avoiding these errors can prevent future trouble, additional expenses, and unhappy results. So stick with us and read on for more insights.
10 Mistakes To Avoid When Hiring Exterior Residential Painters
With so many options available when hiring exterior residential painters, it is easy to make mistakes or be confused. However, choosing the right exterior house painting contractors can really make a difference. Read on to find out how to avoid these pitfalls.
1. Not verifying the contractor’s credentials and licenses.
When hiring a residential exterior painter, one of the most important steps is to verify his or her credentials and licenses. There are two primary reasons why you shouldn’t skip this step.
Legal Compliance: Most states require contractors to be licensed. Working with an unlicensed contractor can result in legal issues not only for the contractor but also for the homeowner.
In Kansas, for example, licensing is handled locally, and each of the 105 counties has its own rules. In Wichita, KS, contractors must contact the Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department to obtain a license.
Liability Protection: Licensed contractors generally carry liability and workers’ compensation (WC) insurance. We will discuss this later in the article.
To verify a contractor’s credentials, you need to:
- Check state and local licensing requirements: Understand what specific licenses are required for exterior residential painters in your area.
- Ask for proof of licensing: Ask the contractor to provide copies of his licenses and make sure they are current and applicable to the type of work that will be performed.
- Check with licensing authorities: Contact licensing authorities or use online databases to confirm the validity of the contractor’s license.
- Check for additional certifications: Look for any additional industry-specific certifications.
- Review the contractor’s insurance.
This process proves that you are working with a professional who meets state and local standards.
2. Ignoring online reviews and references.
Online reviews and feedback are the modern way to express gratitude and satisfaction. People who take the time to write a review online are usually either extremely satisfied or very disappointed. For this reason, don’t ignore them when choosing a painting contractor.
It’s also important to ask the painting contractor to provide you with at least 3-5 references of paint projects they completed in the past six months. If they cannot provide these references, it’s a red flag, and you should consider other options for your house painter.
At Koehn Painting, we do our best to provide good service and quality work. Check out the latest feedback:
If you know someone who has used a company’s services, ask if they were satisfied with the painting job, if they felt comfortable letting the painter in their home, and if the staff was friendly.
Remember to check online reviews on local directories and platforms such as Yelp or Houzz. You will find a lot of information about the company’s reputation.
3. Failing to get a detailed written estimate.
Quoting a painting job requires attention to detail. If you miss key information, it can cost you time and money. You might end up making less than you expected or taking on more work than you can handle. A detailed estimate should include:
- Project Overview: Includes client and contractor details, project address, and a brief description of the work to be done.
- Scope of Work: Refers to specific surface preparation steps, areas to be painted, and number of coats to be applied.
- Materials: List the type and amount of paint, as well as other necessary materials such as primer, caulking, masking tape, and sheeting.
- Labor: Includes hourly rates, estimated total hours, and any subcontractors involved.
- Preparation and cleanup: Details surface preparation activities (patching holes, sanding) and the cleaning process, including debris removal.
- Special Instructions: Covers any specific customer requirements, such as environmentally friendly paints or special color combinations, and site access considerations.
- Timeline: Indicates start date, expected completion date, and major milestones or phases.
- Costs: This is a detailed breakdown of labor, materials, preparation work, additional services, total cost, and payment schedule.
- Warranty: Outlines the terms of the warranty, including details of coverage and duration.
- Terms and Conditions: Includes legal terms, conditions, and contingencies.
4. Overlooking the importance of insurance coverage.
When thinking about repainting your home, insurance is probably the least of your thoughts. First thoughts go to the color, shine and finish, but few consider the risks involved in hiring a contractor. Unfortunately, without proper insurance, you could be taking a significant financial risk if something goes wrong.
Residential painting contractors should have several types of insurance:
- Workers’ compensation (WC): This is the most important insurance for a painting company. It covers medical expenses and lost wages if a worker suffers a work-related injury. Without WC insurance, you may be liable for these expenses.
- Liability insurance: Covers any damage to your property caused by the contractor or his crew. For example, if paint spills on your driveway, liability insurance will cover cleanup costs.
- Commercial auto insurance: All vehicles used by the company must be insured. If the contractor’s vehicle damages your property, this insurance covers the cost of repairs.
- Professional liability insurance: Covers financial losses due to the contractor’s negligence.
Always ask for proof of insurance. If a contractor is reluctant to share this information, it is a red flag.
5. Not asking about the preparation process.
If you want a good, quality exterior painting job, contractors need to focus on the preparation process. Therefore, always ask about their approach and focus on this aspect.
This should include planning the project during good weather, cleaning the exterior, testing for lead, sanding surfaces, sealing cracks with caulking, and applying primer to stains and bare spots. If any of these steps are skipped, the paint may blister, not adhere well, and not last long.
6. Choosing a contractor based solely on the lowest price.
It’s always tempting to choose exterior contractors with the lowest price. However, this can often lead to substandard results and additional costs.
The average cost of painting the exterior of a house varies widely depending on the size and complexity of the project, often ranging from £850 to £4,200 for a standard two-story house. Labor cost alone accounts for 70-85% of the total painting cost.
Opting for the cheapest option could mean compromising the work’s quality, materials, or completeness. You need to consider the overall value rather than just the initial expense.
An experienced and reputable contractor may charge more, but they offer experience, high-quality materials, and a thorough process.
In short, always evaluate credentials, reviews, and detailed estimates to make an informed decision.
7. Not inquiring about the quality of materials and paint used.
We know your experience with paints or materials may not be that in-depth, but it is essential to be curious about what paints and materials exterior painting contractors choose. Are they environmentally friendly? What brand do they use? Have you checked the average durability?
For example, wood is a common and affordable choice for exterior walls. It has good natural insulation and can be used in various designs. However, the type of paint you use on wood makes a big difference. High-quality paints protect against moisture, UV rays and pests, helping wood last longer. In contrast, cheap paints can cause problems such as peeling, warping, and the need for frequent repainting.
Brick and stone are also popular outdoor materials because of their durability and low maintenance. The right paint can improve their natural appearance and provide added protection from the elements. Brick needs breathable paint to prevent moisture buildup and damage, while stone benefits from paints that resist stains and are easy to clean.
Concrete walls are another option known for their strength and longevity. However, using the wrong paint can cause cracking or poor adhesion. Flexible, high-quality paints manufactured specifically for concrete can prevent these problems and extend the life of the exterior finish.
8. Neglecting to check if the contractor offers a warranty.
Not checking whether the contractor provides a warranty can lead to serious problems in the future. A warranty reassures you that if there are problems with the painting job, the contractor will take care of them at no additional cost to you. Without a warranty, you may have to cover the cost of repairs or touch-ups yourself, which can quickly become expensive.
9. Failing to communicate your specific expectations clearly.
When hiring an exterior painter for your home, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is not clearly communicating your expectations. It may seem like professional painters should know exactly what you want, but without detailed instructions it is easy for misunderstandings to occur.
Every detail is important: the colors, the type of finish, and the specific areas to be painted. Be sure to outline your vision and needs in advance so that you and the contractor are on the same page.
10. Overlooking the need for a comprehensive clean-up plan after the project.
After preparing and painting, it is time to clean up and reveal the final result of your home’s new look. At this stage, painting contractors should not rush. The cleaning phase is a very important part of the painting process, and the quality of a team can often be judged by how much time and effort they put into the task. Important steps are:
- Remove the tape: Carefully remove the tape before the paint dries to prevent it from lifting. If it is already dry, gently score the edge with a box cutter.
- Clean tools: Clean tools after each use. For latex paints, use soap and water; for oil-based paints, use mineral spirits. A paint comb can help clean brushes and squeeze excess water from rollers.
- Store tools properly: Hang brushes by the handle to drain water, preventing rust and maintaining brush shape.
- Reassemble and remove coatings: After the paint dries, remove all protective coatings and reattach items such as address numbers and lamps.
- Store leftover paint: Clean the edges of paint cans before sealing them and store them in a dry, temperature-controlled place. Dispose of empty containers and dirty rags responsibly.
As Jesse highlighted in our latest case study at Koehn Painting, “The last two, three hours of their work that they spent on our project was cleaning up behind themselves. So there really wasn’t a mess left behind. There wasn’t dust all over everything. They really did a good job.”
Get your home looking its best! Contact us today for expert residential or commercial painting services.
How To Find the Best House Painters Wichita KS Has To Offer
If you are searching for house painters in Wichita, KS, you’ve probably heard of the Koehn Painting team. As one of the leading exterior house painting contractors in the area, Koehn Painting is dedicated to providing exclusive exterior and interior painting services.
Our team of experienced exterior residential painters works with passion to make sure every project is completed to the highest standards and in time.
We protect our clients in two key ways: with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and our 1-Year Iron-Clad Warranty. In the rare event of paint failure due to defective products or applications, we’ll return free of charge to repair and repaint the affected areas, with all promises put in writing.
We take our work seriously and have the proper licensing and insurance coverage to back it up. Our general liability and workers’ compensation policies provide us with protection and peace of mind for our clients. We also strive to maintain industry-recognized certifications to demonstrate our competence and build our clients’ trust.
When it comes to paints, we recommend Sherwin Williams paints for their proven quality and strong manufacturer support. However, we are flexible and can use exclusive products in specific situations or accommodate customer preferences.
In addition, we offer a “project book” to review as we complete your project proposal on-site. Payment is made only at the end of the exterior or interior house painting project once you are 100% satisfied, with any exceptions communicated in advance.
Exterior House Painting Contractors: Conclusion
We hope that you have a clearer picture on how to hire the right exterior house painting contractors. Avoiding common mistakes will give you a smoother, more satisfying experience and a beautiful, long-lasting finish for your home.
At Koehn Painting, we provide superior painting services backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee and 1-year Iron-Clad warranty. Our experienced residential exterior painters use high-quality Sherwin-Williams paints and maintain clear communication and accurate documentation throughout the project.
For the best results, trust Koehn Painting to transform your home with professionalism and care.
Dreaming of a beautifully painted space? Reach out to Koehn Painting for a free estimate. We’ll work hard and give your home’s exterior a gorgeous new look.
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